Morton's neuroma: diagnostic accuracy, effect on treatment time and costs of direct referral to ultrasound by primary care physicians.
BACKGROUND
The first-line treatment for symptomatic Morton's neuroma in our hospital is a perineural ultrasound-guided injection of corticosteroid and local anaesthetic (USI). The NHS has recently implemented 18-week referral-to-treatment targets. When GPs specifically suggest a diagnosis of Morton's neuroma there are two referral pathways in our hospital: direct referral to radiology for USI (limited slots) or referral to the specialist foot and ankle clinic. Patients with less specific referral letters are also evaluated in clinic and referred for USI as appropriate.


METHODS
A retrospective audit was performed reviewing referral letters from general practitioners (GPs) in 2005-2006. A comparison was made between the referral pathways for time-to-treatment (TTT), accuracy of GP diagnosis, and cost implications.


RESULTS
In the directly referred group, the median TTT was 99 days, compared to 206 days for patients who went via a foot and ankle clinic (P < 0.001). Of 57 patients with a GP diagnosis of Morton's neuroma, 40 (70%) had the diagnosis confirmed on USI compared to 44 of 64 (69%) patients referred by a foot and ankle surgeon, showing no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.87).


CONCLUSIONS
For patients with features highly suggestive of a Morton's neuroma, direct referral from primary care for USI had a similar accuracy to referral from a specialist hospital clinic and the time-to-treatment was significantly shorter. The mean waiting time of this group was within the 18-week government target without any changes to our current radiology protocols.
Rout
Rajesh
R
Royal College of Surgeons of England, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, UK. rajrout@gmail.com
Tedd
Hilary
H
Lloyd
Rosalind
R
Ostlere
Simon
S
Lavis
Graham J
GJ
Cooke
Paul H
PH
Sharp
Robert J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009463:Neuroma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014850:Waiting Lists