Background and Purpose of Study: The SCAS assesses patients with spinal pain who have failed routine conservative treatment and/or whose referral details indicate secondary care opinion may be necessary. Patients are assessed by Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practitioners (AMPs) working under the supervision of a Consultant Rheumatologist. Although a rare occurrence, the early detection of spinal metastases in this patient population is essential. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the case notes of those patients with an eventual diagnosis of spinal metastases to evaluate early indicators of the disease.

Methods: The reports of all spinal MRI scans requested by the SCAS over a two year period were reviewed for the presence of spinal metastases. On those patients whose MRI results were positive the incidence and frequency of ‘red flags’ documented in the patients case notes was recorded. Results of recent blood tests, Xrays and bone scans were also reviewed.

Results: A total of 16 patients with spinal metastases were diagnosed over a two year period from a patient population of 3200, a prevalence of 0.5%. The most commonly occurring red flags were first onset of spinal symptoms over the age of 50 (81%), progressive pain unresponsive to conservative intervention (57%), previous history of cancer (38%) and unexplained weight loss (38%). 9 patients had undergone previous Xray, 4 of which were suggestive of metastatic disease. 3 patients had undergone previous bone scan, 2 of which were suggestive of metastatic disease.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that for spinal patients presenting with the most commonly occurring red flags, urgent MRI scan should be requested. Xray and ESR levels were not useful in the definitive differential diagnosis of spinal metastases.