I have used Alpine Diagnostics twice, and both times have been impressed by the ease of ordering, the clarity of communication, and the timeliness of the reports. I have been much more than impressed by the comprehensive quality of the reports. The reports uniformly present necessary details in both technical and lay terms that are easily understood. The reports are comprehensive, going beyond a mere recitation of data to actually contextualize the findings, tying things from the images to data points the patient provides in the intake questionnaire, adding a level of "human touch" that validates the lived experience of the patient. I will keep returning when needed.
🇨🇭 Swiss subspecialty radiologists · From CHF 260 · Most in under 24h
Facing Surgery?
Get an Independent Read Before You Decide
Swiss radiologists confirm whether your imaging supports the planned procedure. A clear report, usually within 24 hours, so you go into your decision informed.
An independent check before a major operation: confirm the indication, or surface anything worth a closer look.
- Independent re-read by a MEBEKO-recognised Swiss radiologist.
- Confirmation of whether the imaging supports the planned surgery.
- Plain-English report for your surgeon, usually within 24 hours.
Waiting for surgery in the UK or Canada? How to get your images, prices in your currency and what a Swiss report means for your care: United Kingdom · Canada
What a second opinion before surgery is
A radiology second opinion before surgery is an independent re-read of the MRI or CT on which the operation is planned. A radiologist in the matching subspecialty describes what the images show about the finding, its size and extent and the structures around it, and answers your questions and your surgeon's in writing. If the date is close, Priority makes the 24 hours binding.
It does not replace the surgical consultation. Whether and how to operate is decided by you and your surgeon; the report gives that conversation a second, independent reading of the images.
What we do not do: We do not operate, refer patients to surgeons or receive anything from any clinic. Our fee is the same whatever the report says.
When it helps
- An operation is planned on the basis of MRI or CT: spine, knee, hip, shoulder, abdomen, or a tumour.
- You want to understand what the images show before you sign the consent form.
- Two doctors have suggested different approaches.
- The decision carries weight: two radiologists with one consensus report (Alpine Conscientious) are recommended here.
Example: lumbar spine MRI before a planned decompression
Illustrative example. Fictitious patient, written to show how a review works.
A 61-year-old with leg pain and surgery planned in three weeks
Her lumbar spine MRI shows a narrowing of the spinal canal, and a decompression is planned. She chooses Alpine Conscientious and asks which level is affected, how severe the narrowing is, and whether other levels matter for the operation.
Two radiologists read the MRI independently and agree one report: the level and degree of the narrowing, the nerve roots involved and the condition of the neighbouring levels. Both confirm the finding the operation is planned on. She takes the report and her questions to the pre-operative consultation.
What research says about imaging second opinions before treatment
6.6 to 7.5%
of 469 patients whose gynaecological cancer MRI was re-read by subspecialists would have been spared an unnecessary operation, according to two surgeons who reviewed the discrepancies.
Lakhman et al., European Radiology, 2016 ↗6%
of 252 patients with breast cancer had their surgical management changed after a second reading of their breast imaging at a cancer centre.
Whorms et al., Journal of the American College of Radiology, 2019 ↗These studies come from specialist referral centres, where complex cases are over-represented, so the rates are higher than in routine care. They describe radiology in general, not Alpine's own results.
Google reviews
What patients say
Independent reviews of our second opinions, written by patients on Google.
The service that Alpine Diagnostics provides for their clients is invaluable. Their process was straightforward, and their team is responsive and easy to communicate with, as well as very respectful. I have had a long-standing orthopedic condition, and their company and specialists have allowed me to gain some understanding that I have been seeking for years about my injury. They have had a meaningful impact on the direction of my medical care, as the imaging review helped to clarify persistent symptoms and advanced my assessment by a specialist. The subspecialty-specific interpretations by fellowship-trained specialists is particularly significant, as well as their longitudinal review packages. I truly believe that, in my case, these aspects of their service made the difference in identifying a chronic occult and uncommon injury. I will not hesitate to use Alpine Diagnostics services again if I need, and I recommend them to any and all that have unanswered questions, concerns, or need clarification regarding their medical imaging.
I used Alpine Diagnostics after doing lots of research into second opinion radiologists for an MRI Knee. I was delighted by the speed and quality of their service. The report was excellent, thorough with clear explanations. It was infinitely more detailed than the UK one I obtained. The cost was also very reasonable. I would recommend them to anyone needing an expert; independent view of their imaging.
Read all 23 reviews on GoogleWrite a review on GoogleReviews and rating from Google, shown unedited. Every review links to the original on Google.
Affiliations and technology
The professional societies our radiologists belong to and the technology your report is produced with.
What you receive
One report. Everything you need to decide.
A formal radiological report your doctor can work with, a summary in plain language and a written answer to each of your questions. The pages below show a fictitious sample case.
Included in every package
- A formal radiological report: findings, impression and recommendations, in the format hospital radiology departments use
- Key images marked, so your doctor sees what the radiologist saw
- A plain-language summary written for you
- Each of your questions answered in writing, one by one
- Signed with the name and specialist title of the Swiss radiologist who read your case; two signatures with Conscientious and Elite
- Report in English, German, Russian or Italian
- Standard delivery within 72 hours included; most reports in under 24 hours
- Encrypted upload and delivery via Tresorit on Swiss servers; no referral needed
- Caterina on WhatsApp from your first question to the delivered report
Fictitious case written for illustration. The images are generated illustrations, not patient images. Real reports are longer and specific to your examination.
Cover page
Three steps. One signed expert report.
How your radiology second opinion works
1
Choose your package and add your questions
Pay securely by card. You then receive your personal encrypted upload link (Tresorit) and a short questionnaire: your history, the questions you want answered, and anything you believe was missed or left unexplained. Upload the DICOM files from a CD, a USB stick or your hospital's portal download. If you get stuck, Caterina helps you step by step.
2
A Swiss subspecialist reads your case
Your case goes to a Swiss-licensed specialist radiologist whose subspecialty matches your scan: neuroradiology, musculoskeletal, body, breast or oncological imaging. With Conscientious and Elite, two radiologists read independently and then agree one consensus report. Breast imaging is read on a Barco Coronis OneLook diagnostic display cleared for mammography in Switzerland. Your report is ready in under 24 hours in most cases, and always within the delivery time you chose: Standard 72 hours or Priority 24 hours.
3
Receive your signed report, with your questions answered
A formal radiological report in the format your doctor knows: findings, impression and recommendations for the next step, followed by a plain-language summary. Each of your questions is answered in writing. The report carries the name and specialist title of the radiologist who read your scans and is delivered as an encrypted download link by email.
Packages and prices
Four packages. Choose the depth of review your decision needs.
Fixed prices in Swiss francs, known before we see your scan. Standard delivery within 72 hours is included in every package. Need the report before an appointment? Choose Priority at checkout and it is due within 24 hours.
Alpine Essential
Best for
One examination, one clear question
CHF 260
Standard delivery within 72 hours included
- Radiologists reading your case: 1
- Included: Current examination
- Not included: All prior imaging of the region compared
- Not included: Consensus report with two signatures
- Included: Your questions answered in writing
- Included: Plain-language summary
- Additional region: +CHF 180
Alpine Longitudinal
Best for
Earlier scans of the same region that must be compared
CHF 400
Standard delivery within 72 hours included
- Radiologists reading your case: 1
- Included: Current examination
- Included: All prior imaging of the region compared
- Not included: Consensus report with two signatures
- Included: Your questions answered in writing
- Included: Plain-language summary
- Additional region: +CHF 180
Alpine Conscientious
Best for
Surgery, oncology, or a report that goes to third parties
CHF 460
Standard delivery within 72 hours included
- Radiologists reading your case: 2
- Included: Current examination
- Not included: All prior imaging of the region compared
- Included: Consensus report with two signatures
- Included: Your questions answered in writing
- Included: Plain-language summary
- Additional region: +CHF 320
Most thorough
Alpine Elite
Best for
A complex history and a major decision
CHF 600
Standard delivery within 72 hours included
- Radiologists reading your case: 2
- Included: Current examination
- Included: All prior imaging of the region compared
- Included: Consensus report with two signatures
- Included: Your questions answered in writing
- Included: Plain-language summary
- Additional region: +CHF 320
Three commitments, in writing
Fixed price before we see your scan
The fee is the same whether the second reading confirms your report or not. We run no scanners and do not treat, so we have no interest in your next step other than getting the reading right.
Priority fee refunded if we miss 24 hours
Standard delivery within 72 hours is included. With Priority the 24 hours are binding, counted from the moment your images and questionnaire are complete. If we miss them, the CHF 100 come back.
Full refund if the review cannot start
If files are missing or cannot be opened and the review cannot start, you receive the full order amount back (terms and conditions, section 9.1). Caterina helps you upload before it comes to that.
Not sure which package fits?
Describe your situation to Caterina on WhatsApp. She replies personally, usually within a few hours during Swiss working hours, and recommends the right package. Free, no obligation.
Secure checkout
Checkout is handled by Shopify Payments, so your card details never reach us. Pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, TWINT, Klarna, PayPal or crypto, in CHF, EUR, USD, GBP and other currencies.
Prices in Swiss francs for one imaging region, Standard delivery within 72 hours included. The checkout shows the amount in your currency. No hidden fees, no subscription. Prices valid since 16 September 2026.
Who reads your scan
A named radiologist. Not a platform.
Alpine Diagnostics is a small Swiss practice led by a practising radiologist. Oxana Smagulova has read imaging in Swiss and German hospitals for 20 years and still reads in a Swiss hospital department today. She leads the team of subspecialist radiologists, and every Alpine report carries the name and specialist title of the radiologist who read it.
- Specialist in radiology, Swiss federal recognition (MEBEKO)
- 20 years of clinical radiology in Switzerland and Germany
- Breast, oncological and emergency imaging
- Clinically active in a Swiss hospital radiology department
Every scan tells a story. My job is to make sure nothing in that story goes unread.Meet the team
Questions about second opinions before surgery
Anything else? Message Caterina on WhatsApp (+41 76 531 52 44) or write to info@alpinediagnostics.ch. →
Should I get a second opinion before every operation?+
No. It is most useful when the operation is planned on the basis of MRI or CT and the decision is not an emergency. In an emergency, follow your treating team.
One radiologist or two?+
For a surgical decision we recommend Alpine Conscientious: two radiologists read independently and sign one consensus report. If earlier scans matter, Alpine Elite adds the comparison with all prior imaging of the region.
My operation is in a few days. Is that enough time?+
Choose Priority: the 24 hours are binding and the CHF 100 Priority fee is refunded if we miss them. The clock starts when your images and questionnaire are complete, so upload as early as you can.
Does the report say whether I need the operation?+
No. It describes what the images show and answers your questions about them. The decision about the operation is a clinical one that you make with your surgeon, who also examines you.
Will my surgeon accept the report?+
The report is a formal radiological report in the format surgeons know: findings, impression and recommendations, signed with the radiologist's name and specialist title. Your surgeon reads it as an independent specialist opinion and decides with you how to use it.
Is this the same as a second surgical opinion?+
No. We review the imaging only. A second surgical opinion, where another surgeon examines you and discusses treatment, is a separate consultation; our report can be a useful document to bring to it.
Ready when you are
A second reading by a Swiss subspecialist, at a price fixed before we see your scan.
We run no scanners and we do not operate or treat, so our fee is the same whether the second reading confirms your report or not.
- Fixed price before we see your scan
- Priority fee refunded if we miss 24 hours
- Full refund if the review cannot start
