The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) has released an updated version of its ACR Appropriateness Criteria® (ACR AC), now encompassing 270 diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology topics, more than 1,300 clinical variants, over 4,000 clinical scenarios, and 203 patient-friendly summaries. The latest update introduces 13 new topics and revises six existing ones. Each topic includes a detailed narrative, evidence table, and literature review summary.
“The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are a vital component of clinical practice, helping radiologists and other healthcare professionals deliver optimal patient care,” said Ihab Kamel, MD, PhD, chair of the ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria. “These guidelines are developed by hundreds of radiologists and volunteer specialists from more than 50 medical fields to ensure patients receive the most appropriate imaging and avoid unnecessary procedures.”
Newly Added Topics Include:
· Abdominal Pain – Child
· Chest Pain – Child
· Chronic Pancreatitis
· Demyelinating Diseases
· Evaluation of Cardiac Masses
· Imaging After Liver Transplant
· Ingested or Aspirated Foreign Body – Child
· Joint Pain: Idiopathic Arthritis – Child
· Preprocedural Chest or Cardiac Imaging for Cardiothoracic Surgery
· Staging and Follow-up of Gastric Cancer
· Staging and Follow-up of Melanoma
· Staging and Follow-up of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
· Thoracic Venous Occlusions – Suspected Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
Revised Topics Include:
· Breast Implant Evaluation
· Chronic Foot Pain
· Major Blunt Trauma
· Postmenopausal Subacute or Chronic Pelvic Pain
· Radiologic Management of Pulmonary Nodules and Masses
· Suspected Physical Abuse – Child
First introduced in 1993, the ACR AC is updated annually by expert panels specializing in diagnostic and interventional radiology.
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