October 5, 2022 — The American College of Radiology (ACR) released an update to its ACR Appropriateness Criteria (ACR AC), which includes 222 diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology topics with 1,050 clinical variants covering approximately 3,000 clinical scenarios. This update includes 1 new and eight revised topics. All topics include a narrative, evidence table and a literature search summary.
Patient-friendly summaries, a tool to help patients understand what tests are appropriate for their situation and enhance communication from ordering physicians and radiologists, are available for numerous topics.
“The use of ACR Appropriateness Criteria for guidance can enable consistent medical imaging and interventional radiology care for all patients,” said Mark E. Lockhart, MD, MPH, Chair of the ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria. “By applying the information in these documents, providers can enhance and maintain quality of care and contribute to the most effective use of these lifesaving and life-improving exams and procedures.”
The New Topics Are:
Revised Topics Include:
- Central Venous Access Device and Site Selection
- Chronic Hip Pain
- Chronic Shoulder Pain
- Lung Cancer Screening
- Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures
- Monitoring Response to Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy for Breast Cancer
- Post-Treatment Follow-up of Prostate Cancer
- Right Upper Quadrant Pain
The ACR AC was first introduced in 1993 by expert panels in diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology to help providers make the most appropriate imaging or treatment decisions for specific clinical conditions. These guidelines are developed and reviewed annually.
Referring physicians and other providers may consult the ACR AC to fulfill requirements mandated by the Protecting Access to Medicare Act, which requires that they consult appropriate use criteria prior to ordering advanced diagnostic imaging for Medicare patients. The ACR is designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a qualified Provider-Led Entity. https://www.itnonline.com/node/add/comparison_charts
For more information: www.acr.org
March 26, 2026 
