The American College of Radiology (ACR) has released the latest edition of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria, which includes 188 diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology topics with 908 clinical variants covering more than 1,670 clinical scenarios.

“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,” explains Frank J. Rybicki, MD, PhD, FACR, chair of the ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria. “We encourage radiology professionals to review these updates and provide feedback and comments via our recently enhanced comment site.”

The ACR Appropriateness Criteria has been providing the most comprehensive evidence based guidelines for diagnostic imaging selection and image guided interventional procedures since 1993.

The spring 2019 update includes two new and 10 revised topics. Each topic has a narrative, an evidence table, and a literature search summary.

The two new topics in the release are:

  • Clinically suspected vascular malformation of the extremities
  • Gestational trophoblastic Disease

The 10 revised topics are:

  • 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

Medical providers may consult the ACR Appropriateness Criteria to fulfill the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) requirements that they consult AUC prior to ordering advanced diagnostic imaging for Medicare patients. The ACR is designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a qualified provider-led entity.

For further information, visit The American College of Radiology.