ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Brain Tumors

Abstract

Brain tumors represent a complex and clinically diverse disease group, whose management is particularly dependent on neuroimaging given the wide range of differential diagnostic considerations and clinical scenarios. The introduction of advanced brain imaging tools into clinical practice makes it paramount for all treating physicians to recognize the range and understand the appropriate application of various conventional and advanced imaging modalities. The imaging recommendations for neuro-oncologic clinical scenarios involving screening in patients with increased genetic risk, screening in patients with systemic malignancy, pretreatment evaluation in patients with intra- and extraaxial brain tumors, posttreatment-surveillance in patients with known brain tumors after completion of therapy, and subsequent workup in the context of suspected radiographic progression are encompassed by this document.

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.