Summary: The American College of Radiology has updated its Appropriateness Criteria, covering 247 topics with over 1,200 clinical variants, adding eight new topics and revising 18, all supported by narratives, evidence tables, and literature summaries.

Key Takeaways

  1. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria update now covers 247 topics in diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology, introducing eight new topics and revising 18, aimed at improving consistency in patient care.
  2. The updates are designed to help referring physicians enhance the quality of care, offering guidance with narratives, evidence tables, and literature summaries for over 1,200 clinical variants across 4,000 scenarios.
  3. Spanish translations for more than 60 topics are available through the Colegio Interamericano de Radiología, with additional translations to be released as progress continues.

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The American College of Radiology (ACR) has updated its ACR Appropriateness Criteria, now covering 247 topics in diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology. This includes over 1,200 clinical variants addressing 4,000 scenarios. The update introduces eight new topics and revises 18 others. Each topic features a narrative, evidence table, and literature search summary.

“Using ACR Appropriateness Criteria for guidance can enable consistent medical imaging and interventional radiology care for all patients,” says Ihab Kamel, MD, PhD, chair of the ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria. “These important updates can help referring physicians and other providers enhance the quality of care they provide.”

New Topics

  1. Assessment of Cardiac Function and Baseline Cardiac Risk Stratification in Oncology Patients  
  2. Brain Tumors  
  3. Evaluation of Coronary Artery Anomalies  
  4. Imaging for Pulmonary Embolism, Known Clot  
  5. Imaging of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)  
  6. Inflammatory Ear Disease  
  7. Lung Cancer: Surveillance After Therapy  
  8. Staging and Follow-up of Anal Cancer  

Revised Topics

  1. Acute Hip Pain   
  2. Acute Respiratory Illness in Immunocompetent Patients   
  3. Acute Shoulder Pain   
  4. Acute Spinal Trauma   
  5. Back Pain-Child   
  6. Cervical Pain or Cervical Radiculopathy   
  7. Chronic Dyspnea-Noncardiovascular Origin  
  8. Chylothorax Treatment Planning   
  9. Colorectal Cancer Screening   
  10. Dementia   
  11. Fever Without Source or Unknown Origin-Child   
  12. Management of Iliac Artery Occlusive Disease   
  13. Ovarian Cancer Screening   
  14. Renal Transplant Dysfunction   
  15. Supplemental Breast Cancer Screening Based on Breast Density   
  16. Suspected and Known Heart Failure   
  17. Suspected Primary Bone Tumors   
  18. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm or Dissection-Treatment Planning and Follow-Up   

The ACR Appropriateness Criteria (AC) was first introduced in 1993 by expert panels in diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology. These guidelines are reviewed annually. Spanish translations for over 60 topics are now available through the Colegio Interamericano de Radiología, with more to be added as translations continue.