Brain Tumour Diagnosis - FOI Response Register

Specifically, I am seeking details on the procedures, protocols, and guidelines followed by healthcare professionals for diagnosing adult and paediatric brain tumours. This includes, but is not limited to:

1.    Referral pathways from primary care providers to specialists for suspected brain tumours

2.    The standard diagnostic tests and imaging techniques used for detecting brain tumours.

3.    Criteria or clinical indicators considered in the diagnostic process.

4.    Any relevant guidelines or recommendations issued by NHS Shetland regarding the diagnosis of brain tumours.

Additionally, we would appreciate any statistical data or reports available on the prevalence, incidence, or trends related to brain tumour diagnosis in the region.

Please find attached the National Headache Pathway guideline to imaging as an example of the type of pathway information that we are seeking.

NHS Shetland, in dealing with a person with a variety of symptoms, would be trying to work out what was wrong as opposed to seeking to diagnose a brain tumour. It would depend on how the person presented. We would then refer as appropriate. If a patient had an abnormal examination, then we may refer directly to the local Surgical Team and they would contact NHS Grampian neurosurgical team for further assessment.

This is our guidance for imaging in what might be this circumstance:

EP2-Aug2023.pdf