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atients who have had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their spine or brain within the past year but did not have spine surgery or brain surgery since the images were done, are still in doubt or discomfort, or were told they need surgery, are eligible for a free second opinion at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO).

CNSO is located in New Jersey and Florida, where its neurosurgeons provide the most advanced spine and brain surgical and non-surgical treatments. CNSO can provide FREE virtual second opinions to anyone located in New Jersey, New York, Florida, Maryland, Colorado, Michigan, Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, or Massachusetts. A CNSO neurosurgeon specializes in spine surgery and brain surgery and will review your brain or spine images, listen to your medical history, and combine your symptoms with what is visible on your MRI to derive a diagnosis and treatment plan best for you. Interpreting the MRI images of the neck, back, spine, or brain must be done in the context of the patient’s symptoms.

A radiologist generates an MRI report, but they never examine the patient. Consequently, their report is only based on a comparison to “the average human body” and is therefore only an approximation of a diagnosis, devoid of any relation to what the individual is experiencing. A neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon, however, makes spine and brain treatment decisions, both surgical and non-surgical, based on their interpretation of both the patient’s symptoms and their MRI images individualized to the patient. They are not limited to the radiologist’s MRI report.

Patients who have been diagnosed with a condition and are seeking more treatment options, or who want further explanation and confirmation, should seek a second opinion from a different surgeon, even a different surgical specialty that has medical board certification in the anatomic area of concern. A second opinion will help the patient make a more informed decision about their health. Learn more about your options for a free second opinion.

Key Takeaways

• A free brain or spine MRI second opinion involves granting CNSO permission to electronically access your images at the MRI facility where you had the image done. Other options are to send or bring a CD of your images to a CNSO office.
• Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics provides MRI reviews and second opinions in person at their offices, as well as through telemedicine visits, for free.
• To qualify for a free MRI review at CNSO, patients must have had their last/original MRI completed within the last year.
• A FREE neck, spine, or brain second opinion can be done via HIPAA-secure video conference or in person, provided you have had your images completed within the past year, and you are physically located in either New York, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, Colorado, Michigan, Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, or Massachusetts. This free second opinion consultation would be with a CNSO board-certified neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon fellowship-trained in spine and/or brain surgery. During the evaluation, you will describe your symptoms and the doctor will ask questions, review your images, and provide you with their expert opinion and recommended next steps.
• If this visit would be your first time meeting with a neurosurgeon for your spine or brain surgery, or if your images are more than one year old, you can schedule an in-person appointment in New Jersey or Florida. Depending on your history, a physical examination may be necessary prior to your insurance authorizing any necessary images.
• Reasons a patient should seek a second opinion include: concern, doubt, or desire to confirm what a doctor, neurologist, primary care, orthopedic, oncologist, or chiropractor told them; wanting to explore all treatment options; or still in pain despite treatment by a physical therapist, chiropractor, or pain management specialist.

What Does an MRI Second Opinion Involve?

MRIs are a common diagnostic tool to assist a doctor in determining a diagnosis. Some conditions that are commonly identified or confirmed through MRI scans include:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Spine tumors
• Brain tumors
• Brain vascular abnormalities, such as aneurysms
• Scoliosis, kyphosis, and other deformities
• Post-surgical changes (failed back syndrome)

Patients who are not at ease with a prior consultation, even if it was with a CNSO doctor, can receive a second consultation from another CNSO doctor. A second opinion of an MRI review is a comprehensive, additional evaluation of a patient’s existing MRI images. There is usually no need to repeat an MRI that was done within the past six months. An MRI older than eight months may need to be repeated, as the medical condition may have changed secondary to wear and tear or further injury, which can effectively change the structure of a patient’s anatomy or even the size, shape, and type of tumor.

An MRI review at CNSO is a free service that involves a thorough second evaluation of the images of a spine or brain by a specialist who is a spine surgeon or a brain surgeon who treats patients both non-surgically as well as surgically. A primary care physician, family practitioner, or a general orthopedic surgeon does not have the expertise to accurately interpret the images of an MRI.

Only a neurosurgeon who specializes in the spine, the brain, or both will possess the expertise to accurately interpret the patient’s symptoms and correlate them with their MRI images of the spine or brain. Only these specialists can look beyond the standard radiology report to determine whether the patient’s condition is related to the spine, brain, peripheral nervous system, or musculoskeletal system. They take other factors into account, including physical exam findings, patient symptoms, and previous diagnoses. This allows them to interpret the findings in the context of the patient’s specific circumstances to determine a targeted treatment plan.

When Does a Patient Need an MRI Second Opinion?

An MRI second opinion isn’t always necessary, but it can be beneficial in complex or unclear situations. Some reasons a patient might need a new evaluation of their MRI readings include:

• Patients received a diagnosis that doesn’t match their symptoms.
• Patients were told they need surgery and want a specialist’s expert opinion on whether it’s the best course of action or if there is a “better” surgical plan and long-term solution for their lifestyle.
• Patients received MRI results that are unclear or inconclusive.
• Patients who have been told they do not need spine surgery and can be treated by injections, alternative medicine, physical therapy, or chiropractic care, yet despite receiving such care for more than four (4) weeks, the pain has continued or worsened.
• Patients whose reports say something is abnormal, but their doctor hasn’t explained the next steps.
• Patients who have been told their MRI is “normal,” or “normal for their age,” yet they are living in pain or discomfort.
• Patients who have imaging from another provider and want CNSO’s assessment.

Getting a second opinion on an MRI reading provides enhanced clarity and peace of mind. It also helps prevent missed findings or misinterpreted results that can lead to the wrong treatment or a delayed diagnosis.

What Is the Free MRI Review Process for a Second Opinion at CNSO?

When a patient comes to CNSO for a second opinion, they should bring any imaging they’ve received on discs, along with the associated reports, or, at the time of scheduling the appointment, provide the name of the facility where the images were done. The CNSO staff can guide the patient beforehand on how they can authorize CNSO doctors to review their images electronically. Depending on the reason for the MRI, the appropriate specialist (neurosurgeon, orthopedic spine surgeon) will evaluate the imaging. They will carefully review it to examine the findings and explore their relevance to symptoms and the treatment implications.

Once the imaging has been evaluated, the patient will receive a clear explanation of what the imaging shows and what it means for their care. At CNSO, patients can also get remote MRI review consultations through telemedicine visits without needing to visit the office.

Make an Appointment for a Free MRI Second Opinion Near You in Multiple States

Patients who want a second opinion on their imaging scans can get expert MRI review at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics. The comprehensive team at CNSO consists of neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, pain management doctors, and other specialists who can provide MRI second opinions in person at multiple locations near you in New Jersey and the Miami, Florida, area. Telemedicine consultations are available for patients in NJ, NY, FL, MD, CO, MI, AL, IN, GA, and MA. To schedule an MRI review appointment or telemedicine consultation, contact CNSO today.

FAQ About Free MRI Reviews

How is an MRI second opinion different from a radiologist’s report?

A radiology report is provided by a radiologist. It details their interpretation of the scan and the technical findings, without having examined the patient. An MRI review by a treating doctor is when a doctor or specialist assesses the patient’s symptoms and correlates them with their MRI images.

Can CNSO review MRI results from another hospital or provider?

Yes, CNSO can review MRI results from other providers.

What types of conditions can be identified or clarified through a specialist MRI report or review with a surgeon?

Various conditions can be identified or clarified through an MRI review by a surgeon, including brain tumors, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal deformities like scoliosis and kyphosis, arthrodesis, and failed spine surgery.

What should I bring or send to CNSO for my MRI review appointment?

Patients should bring their MRI images on a disc and their corresponding reports to their MRI review appointment. If they don’t have the images on a disc, the patient can call the office to ask about other ways of sending their images.