Is MRI an appropriate modality for the Calculation of the SINS score?

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Is MRI an appropriate modality for the Calculation of Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) when compared to CT? – A Retrospective Pilot Study

  • IRAS ID

    278753

  • Contact name

    A Gardner

  • Contact email

    adrian.gardner@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 3 months, 29 days

  • Research summary

    Spinal instability is when, due to the disease eating away the bone, the spine is not strong enough to hold the person up preventing sitting, standing and walking. The Spinal Instability Neoplasia Score (SINS) is a tool used by surgeons to identify when, in patients with known metastatic disease in the bony spine, surgery would be a good treatment for spinal instability.

    The score is based on a CT scan. However, MRI is used for all patients to make the diagnosis and is often available days before a CT scan. If it were possible to make the stability assessment from the MRI, rather than waiting for the CT scan, then patients would benefit.

    This study is to see if it is possible to use MRI to obtain a SINS score before considering more in depth work to further the concept for clinical use.

  • REC name

    London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    20/LO/0471

  • Date of REC Opinion

    20 Apr 2020

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion