Authors: | Weinstein, S.; Kim, D. H.; Fowler, K. J.; Birkholz, J. H.; Cash, B. D.; Cilenti, E.; Dane, B.; Horvat, N.; Kambadakone, A. R.; Korngold, E. K.; Liu, P. S.; Lo, B. M.; McCrary, M.; Mellnick, V.; Pietryga, J. A.; Santillan, C. S.; Zukotynski, K.; Carucci, L. R. |
Title: | ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Left Lower Quadrant Pain: 2023 update |
Abstract: | The differential diagnosis for left lower quadrant pain is wide and conditions range from the benign and self-limited to life-threatening surgical emergencies. Along with patient history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, imaging is often critical to limit the differential diagnosis and identify life-threatening abnormalities. This document will discuss the guidelines for the appropriate use of imaging in the initial workup for patients who present with left lower quadrant pain, patients with suspected diverticulitis, and patients with suspected complications from diverticulitis. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation. © 2023 American College of Radiology |
Keywords: | united states; radiation dose; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; evidence based medicine; evidence-based medicine; computer assisted tomography; evidence based practice; practice guideline; diagnostic imaging; radiation exposure; abdominal pain; societies, medical; contrast enhancement; colon cancer; medical society; contrast medium; abdominal radiography; oral drug administration; fluoroscopy; enema; appropriateness criteria; transvaginal echography; pelvis radiography; diverticulitis; cystography; auc; humans; human; article; lower abdominal pain; acute diverticulitis; appropriate use criteria; rectal drug administration; colovesical fistula; complicated diverticulitis; left lower quadrant pain; uncomplicated diverticulitis; timeliness (data) |
Journal Title: | Journal of the American College of Radiology |
Volume: | 20 |
Issue: | 11 Suppl. |
ISSN: | 1546-1440 |
Publisher: | Elsevier Science, Inc. |
Date Published: | 2023-11-01 |
Start Page: | S471 |
End Page: | S480 |
Language: | English |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jacr.2023.08.013 |
PUBMED: | 38040465 |
PROVIDER: | scopus |
DOI/URL: | |
Notes: | Article -- Source: Scopus |