April 2019 ~

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has released an update to its ACR Appropriateness Criteria. In 2019, there are 188 Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology topics with over 908 variants and for Diagnostic Imaging topics over 1,670 clinical scenarios.

Two new topics are included in the latest update: “Clinically Suspected Vascular Malformation of the Extremities” and “Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.” Another ten topics, including “Acute Pancreatitis” and “Headache,” were also revised.

Diagnostic Imaging Updates

NEW

• Clinically Suspected Vascular Malformation of the Extremities
• Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

REVISED

• Acute Pancreatitis
• Acute Respiratory Illness in Immunocompromised Patients
• Headache
• Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms-Suspicion of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
• Palpable Abdominal Mass-Suspected Neoplasm
• Penetrating Trauma-Lower Abdomen and Pelvis
• Post-Treatment Follow-up and Active Surveillance of Clinically Localized Renal Cell Cancer
• Post-Treatment Surveillance of Bladder Cancer
• Stage I Breast Cancer: Initial Workup and Surveillance for Local Recurrence and Distant Metastases in Asymptomatic Women
• Suspected Osteomyelitis of the Foot in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

“These evidence-based, expert-led guidelines have long played an important role in our ability to deliver safe, appropriate and effective radiological care for patients; and with the deadline for implementing requirements under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act fast approaching, this resource is more invaluable than ever,” Frank J. Rybicki, MD, PhD, chair of the ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria, said in a prepared statement. “We encourage radiology professionals to review these updates and provide feedback and comments via our recently enhanced comment site.”

 

For more information and full details on this update, refer to the ACR’s website.

 

Source(s): American College of Radiology; Radiology Business;