The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) released a list of specific tests that are commonly ordered but not always necessary in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging as part of the Choosing Wisely campaign, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. The list identifies five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physicians about what care is really necessary and appropriate.
SNMMI’s list identified the following five recommendations; support points and references can be found at www.snmmi.org/choosingwisely:
1. Don’t use PET/CT for cancer screening in healthy individuals.
2. Don’t perform routine annual stress testing after coronary artery revascularization.
3. Don’t use nuclear medicine thyroid scans to evaluate thyroid nodules in patients with normal thyroid gland function.
4. Avoid using a computed tomography angiogram to diagnose pulmonary embolism in young women with a normal chest radiograph; consider a radionuclide lung study (V/Q study) instead.
5. Don’t use PET imaging in the evaluation of patients with dementia unless the patient has been assessed by a specialist in this field.
To create its list, SNMMI convened a working group consisting of the SNMMI leadership, presidents of the SNMMI Brain Imaging, Cardiovascular, General Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Oncology, and Pediatric councils, and several at-large members. The council presidents worked with their respective members to identify examples of nuclear medicine procedures that may not be used appropriately. Members who were not a part of the councils were encouraged to submit their suggestions by email.
To learn more about Choosing Wisely and to view the complete lists and additional detail about the recommendations and evidence supporting them, visit www.ChoosingWisely.org.
