Variant 1: Adult. Clinical transient ischemic attack (TIA). Symptoms resolved. Initial imaging
Variant 2: Adult. Focal neurologic deficit. Clinically suspected acute ischemic stroke. Initial imaging.
Variant 3: Adult. Recent ischemic infarct; less than 24 hours. Initial imaging.
Variant 4: Adult. Recent ischemic infarct; greater than 24 hours. Initial imaging.
Variant 5: Adult. Prior ischemic infarct. Surveillance imaging.
Variant 6: Adult. Known intraparenchymal hemorrhage. No history of trauma. Follow-up imaging study.
Variant 7: Adult. Suspected venous sinus thrombosis. Initial imaging.
Variant 8: Adult. Known venous sinus thrombosis. Surveillance imaging.
Variant 9: Adult. Asymptomatic cervical bruit. Initial imaging.
Variant 10: Adult. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Surveillance imaging.
Variant 11: Adult. Suspected cervical vascular dissection or injury. Initial imaging.
Variant 12: Adult. Known cervical vascular dissection or injury. Surveillance imaging.
Appendix Key

A more complete discussion of the items presented below can be found by accessing the supporting documents at the designated hyperlinks.

Appropriateness Category:The panel’s recommendation for a procedure based on the assessment of the risks and benefits of performing the procedure for the specified clinical scenario.

SOE: Strength of Evidence. The assessment of the amount and quality of evidence found in the peer reviewed medical literature for an appropriateness recommendation.

  • References: The citation number and PMID for the reference(s) associated with the recommendation.
  • Study Quality: The assessment of the quality of an individual reference based on the number of study quality elements described in the reference.

RRL: Relative Radiation Level. A population based assessment of the amount of radiation a typical patient may be exposed to during the specified procedure.

Rating: The final rating (1-9 scale) for the procedure as determined by the panel during rating rounds.

Median: The median rating (1-9 scale) for the procedure as determined by the panel during rating rounds.

Final tabulations: A histogram showing the number of panel members who rated the procedure as noted in the column heading (ie, 1, 2, 3, etc.).

Additional supporting documents about the AC methodology and processes can be found at www.acr.org/ac.