Publication - Advice and guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19): supporting elective care – clinical prioritisation of imaging examinations
The framework provides a standardised national process for the clinical prioritisation of patients who have been referred for a diagnostic imaging test.
Imaging clinical prioritisation – MRI categories
Priority 1
| USOC | Cancer pathway | Urgent | |
| Neurology | USOC Primary staging |
Tumour treatment assessment |
MS relapse requiring treatment First seizure Infection FU |
| ENT | USOC Primary staging |
Tumour treatment assessment |
Suspected infection Unilateral sinonasal lesions |
| GI/HPB | USOC Primary staging |
Tumour treatment assessment |
Liver lesion characterisation MRCP with biliary ductal dilatation Symptomatic SB Crohn’s Fistula – unwell Cirrhosis staging |
| Urology | USOC Primary staging |
Tumour treatment assessment |
Initial assessment of complex renal cyst |
| Gynaecology | USOC Primary staging |
Tumour treatment assessment |
Adnexal lesion characterisation PMB (failed hysteroscopy) |
| MSK | USOC Primary staging |
Tumour treatment assessment |
Acute trauma where imaging alters management Infection/acute joint Cord compression/cauda equina Locked knee |
| Vascular | Critical or acute limb ischaemia for surgery Carotid stenosis assessment for endarterectomy |
Priority 2
| Routine non-cancer | Cancer surveillance | |
| Neurology | MS monitoring on biological Recurrent seizures Aneurysms and AVM FU JC positive Cervical myelopathy MND? |
Routine surveillance |
| ENT | Throat pain (no red flags) Cholesteatoma |
Routine surveillance |
| GI/HPB | MRCP without biliary dilatation Initial pancreatic cyst assessment |
Routine surveillance |
| Urology | Bosniak cyst surveillance Adrenal characterisation |
Routine surveillance |
| Gynaecology | Endometriosis or pelvic pain | Routine surveillance |
| MSK | Chronic trauma/cuff tears in surgical candidates Severe synovitis which will alter management |
Routine surveillance |
| Vascular | Acute vasculitis |
Priority 3
| Routine non-cancer | |
| Neurology | MS routine monitoring Radiculopathy |
| ENT | Tinnitus |
| GI/HPB | Pancreatic cyst follow-up Hernia Fistula – not unwell Hernia Dynamic pelvis |
| Urology | Chronic pelvic/testicular pain Urethral diverticulum |
| Gynaecology | Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (smear up to date) Mullerian Duct Anomalies Mesh assessment Fibroid assessment Urethral diverticulum |
| MSK | OA/degenerative disease Non-surgical candidates for joint assessment Tendinopathy Screening for inflammatory spondyloarthritis |
| Vascular | Thoracic outlet syndrome Stable claudication |
Contact
Waiting Times Team: WTIP@gov.scot
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback