RAD CT Guide

FROM ACR appropriateness criteria: 

• Pneumonia

  • effusion, or abscess suspected on x-ray

• Respiratory illness

  • acute, abnormal exam or with risk factors, X-ray non diagnostic 

  • acute, immunodeficiency, infection or non-infectious cause suspected, x-ray done or non-diagnostic x-ray 

  • acute, immunodeficiency, normal CXR

• Cough

  • chronic, >8 weeks, initial clinical evaluation and empiric treatment complete, persistent symptoms, initial imaging

• Dyspnoea

  • chronic, central airway disease suspected

  • chronic, chest wall or pleura disease suspected

  • chronic, interstitial lung disease suspected

• Diffuse lung disease

  • suspected, initial imaging 

  • acute deterioration or acute exacerbation suspected, initial imaging

  • routine follow up imaging 

• Mediastinal mass suspected

  • initial imaging 

  • indeterminate on x-ray, next imaging study 

• Tuberculosis, active suspected 

• Lung nodule

  • <1cm, no risk for malignancy, or moderate to high risk for malignancy

  • greater than or equal to 1cm, low risk or moderate to high risk for malignancy

• Primary musculoskeletal tumour

  • aggressive, no or recurrence suspected, pulmonary metastasis surveillance

  • malignant, pulmonary metastasis evaluation, initial staging

• Non-traumatic chest wall pain

  • infection suspected, CXR normal, next imaging study

  • inflammatory condition suspected, CXR normal, next imaging study

• Occupational exposure

  • airway disease suspected, initial imaging 

  • interstitial lung disease suspected, initial imaging

• Recurrent non-localised pneumonia on CXR, immunocompetent, next imaging study

• Rib fracture suspected, pathological 

• Soft tissue infection suspected

  • chest, history of puncture wound, possible foreign body retained, CXR normal, next imaging study

  • chest, soft tissue gas on CXR, no puncture wound, next imaging study

• Soft tissue infection suspected

  • chest, CXR normal, necrotising fasciitis highly suspected, next imaging study