ACR Releases New and Updated Appropriateness Criteria

Thirteen new and five revised topics to support the most appropriate imaging or treatment decisions was released in an update released by the American College of Radiology (ACR). All topics include a narrative, evidence table and a literature search summary.

“ACR Appropriateness Criteria creates consistent behaviors for medical imaging and interventional radiology procedures for all patients,” said Mark E. Lockhart, MD, MPH, Chair of the ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria. “By employing these guidelines, providers enhance quality of care and contribute to the most efficacious use of radiology.”

Patient-friendly summaries, a tool to help patients understand what tests are appropriate for their situation and enhance communication from ordering physicians and radiologists, are available for numerous topics.

The 13 new topics include:

• Anorectal Disease
• Cerebrovascular Diseases — Aneurysm, Vascular Malformation, and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
• Chronic Cough
• Diffuse Lung Disease
• Epigastric Pain
• Noncerebral Vasculitis
• Nontraumatic Chest Wall Pain
• Parathyroid Adenoma
• Staging and Follow-up of Primary Vaginal Cancer
• Supplemental Breast Cancer Screening Based on Breast Density
• Suspected Retroperitoneal Bleed
• Suspected Spine Infection
• Transgender Breast Cancer Screening

The revised topics include:

• Adrenal Mass Evaluation
• Inflammatory Back Pain: Known or Suspected Axial Spondyloarthropathy
• Low Back Pain
• Plexopathy
• Suspected Acute Aortic Syndrome