Authors’ suggestions for interpreting ACR appropriateness criteria8 and CAR guidelines9: Note that no guideline declares when a test is necessary. When in doubt, consult a radiologist.
| CAR CATEGORY | ACR SCORE FROM 1–9 | AUTHORS’ SUGGESTION |
|---|---|---|
| Indicated | Usually appropriate (score 7–9) | Request the most appropriate imaging study first. Always provide the radiologist with the relevant history and rationale to ensure the correct protocol is followed |
| Indicated only in specific circumstances | NA | Follow specific recommendations or consider specialist referral |
| Specialized investigation | Might be appropriate (score 4–6) | Avoid ordering; consider specialist referral or radiology consultation |
| Not indicated | Not usually appropriate (score 1–3) | Avoid ordering |
ACR—American College of Radiology, CAR—Canadian Association of Radiology, NA—not applicable.