Auditory brainstem response prior to MRI compared to standalone MRI in
the detection of vestibular schwannoma: a modelling study
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the cost-effectiveness of auditory brainstem
response prior to MRI (ABR-MRI) compared to standalone MRI to diagnose
vestibular schwannoma. Design: A state transition decision-analytic
model was developed to simulate costs and effects (quality-adjusted life
years) for both treatment strategies for patients suspected of a
vestibular schwannoma. Model input was derived from literature, hospital
databases, and expert opinions. Scenario and sensitivity analyses
addressed model uncertainty. Results: Over a lifetime horizon, ABR-MRI
resulted in a limited cost-saving of \euro68 or \euro98 per patient
(dependent on MRI sequence) and a health loss of 0.005 QALYs over
standalone MRI. ABR-MRI, however, did miss patients with other important
pathology (2% of the population) that would have been detected when
using standalone MRI. Calculating the incremental cost-effectiveness
ratio resulted in \euro14,203 or \euro19,550 saved per lost QALY if
ABR-MRI was used instead of standalone MRI. The results were sensitive
to the detection rate of vestibular schwannoma and health-related
quality of life of missed patients. Conclusion: The cost-saving with
ABR-MRI does not seem to outweigh the number of missed patients with VS
and other important pathologies that would have been detected when using
standalone MRI.