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Common Radiology Exams by Suspected Diagnosis

Ryan Adams, Leah Brown


Musculoskeletal
Fracture X-rays, CT (extremity) without contrast
Soft tissue infection

CT (extremity) with contrast

MRI (extremity) with and without contrast

Osteomyelitis

X-ray (extremity)

MRI (extremity) with and without contrast

Bone or soft tissue tumors MRI (extremity) with and without contrast
DVT Ultrasound doppler (extremity) venous (laterality)
Chest
Pulmonary embolism CT angiogram chest pulmonary embolism with contrast
Lung mass, metastases CT chest with contrast
Pulmonary nodule CT chest without contrast
Pneumothorax X-ray chest portable (or 2 view), SPECIFY UPRIGHT
Abdomen/Pelvic
Cholecystitis Ultrasound abdomen limited (specify cholecystitis)
Pancreatitis CT abdomen pelvis with contrast
Appendicitis CT abdomen pelvis with contrast
Bowel obstruction X-ray abdomen 1 view, CT abdomen pelvis with contrast
HCC

CT abdomen with contrast, specify HCC in comments

MRI abdomen with contrast, specify HCC in comments

Mesenteric ischemia/AAA CT angiogram abdomen and pelvis
Crohn’s/IBD CT abdomen pelvis enterography with contrast
Neurologic
Brain mass/metastases MRI brain with and without IV contrast
Stroke MRI brain without contrast
Multiple sclerosis MRI brain with and without contrast
Aneurysm or vascular injury CT angiogram head and neck with and without contrast
Dural venous sinus thrombosis CT venogram head
Intracranial hemorrhage CT head without contrast
Spine trauma CT (c/t/l) spine without contrast, MRI spine wo contrast
Spine tumor, infection, post-op MRI (C/T/L) spine with and without contrast
Urogenital
Ovarian/testicular torsion

Ultrasound scrotal with complete doppler

Ultrasound pelvic transvaginal

Ectopic pregnancy Ultrasound transvaginal and pelvic
Kidney stones

Ultrasound renal

CT abdomen pelvis without contrast

Pyelonephritis

Ultrasound renal

CT abdomen pelvis with contrast

See ACR appropriateness criteria for additional Information. (https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/ACR-Appropriateness-Criteria)