Imaging: Radiology, MRI & Nuclear Medicine
Imaging Guidelines
- Guidelines on diagnostic imaging, ACEM and RANZCR, July 2012
Representatives from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) formed a working group that developed a set of imaging guidelines, using available evidence and best practice. These are recommended to be used in all EDs.
- Diagnostic Imaging Pathways, Department of Health, Western Australia, 2009
These Diagnostic Imaging Pathways have been developed in Perth, WA and endorsed by RANZCR. The extensive set of DIP guidelines encompasses use in all settings as well as Emergency Medicine. This application is an evidence-based and consensus-based education and decision-support tool for clinicians, guiding the choice of the most appropriate diagnostic examinations in the correct sequence in a wide range of clinical scenarios. These were used as a source for the 2012 Guidelines on diagnostic imaging by ACEM and RANZCR.
Canadian Association of Radiologists, Guidelines
American College of Radiology - Easy to navigate and well structured breakdown of the evidence available for imaging modalities for each complaint / diagnosis.
Choosing Wisely
Choosing Wisely Australia - A resource listing tests, treatments, and procedures clinicians and consumers should question.
Specific Medical College recommendations:
Education
Life in the Fast Lane (LITFL) - This website hosts a radiology imaging database. Here they collate all the pathological images in the LITFL collection (over 120,000).
ECI - C-Spine Imaging in ED: appropriate use and interpretation (prepared by Dr Kirsty Short).
ECI - CT Head in ED a point of care guide: appropriate use and interpretation (prepared by Dr Kirsty Short).
Reading a Head CT: What Every Emergency Physician Needs to Know - Andrew D. Perron M.D, ACEP Scientific Assembly 2009.
How to Read a Head CT - Notes from Dunn, prepared by Dr Kirsty Short.
Radiology Masterclass - Offers free tutorials online.
Patient Factsheets
- Risks of X-Rays and CT Scans in Pregnancy - developed by the ECI
Further References and Resources
Resources
Inside Radiology - Provides useful information for consumers as well as providers on the indicators / contraindicators and risks of each radiological test. This has been developed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radioogists (RANZCR).
CT scans for children: Information for Referers - The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) have developed new useful information for referrers about indications, risks and risk reduction for CT scans in children. Also available as a PDF.
Reduction in Radiation Exposure to Children from CT Scans - The Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Health Care
RANZCR Standards of Practice for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology. See page 47 - 10-1-1 Monitors – General X-Ray, CR/DR - The interpretation and reporting of General X-Ray, CR examinations are carried out on monitors with a minimum resolution of 1600x1200 MP Colour/Monochrome.
What's New
- Bukata, R. The plain cervical spine X-Ray is almost dead, EP Monthly, 21 November 2016