Topic-Specific Resources

Resources for All Topics

R-SCAN offers resources that cover the spectrum of Choosing Wisely topics. Access a compendium of these resources here.

Avoid ordering CT of the abdomen emergency department (ED) patients (age <50) with known histories of kidney stones, or urolithiasis, presenting with symptoms consistent with acute uncomplicated renal colic.

CTA for Asymptomatic Patient at Low Risk for Coronary Heart Disease

Don’t routinely order coronary computed tomography angiography for screening asymptomatic individuals.

Admission and Pre-op Chest X-ray

Avoid admission or preoperative chest x-rays for ambulatory patients with unremarkable history and physical exam.

CTA for Pulmonary Embolism

Do not perform chest CT angiography to evaluate for possible pulmonary embolism in patients with a low clinical probability and negative results of a highly sensitive D-dimer assay.

Adnexal Cyst Follow up

Do not recommend follow-up imaging for clinically inconsequential adnexal cysts

Advanced Imaging for Early Prostate Cancer Staging

Don’t perform PET, CT, and radionuclide bone scans in the staging of early prostate cancer at low risk for metastasis.

Imaging for Low Back Pain

Don’t perform advanced imaging (eg, MRI) of the spine within the first 6 weeks in patients with nonspecific acute low back pain in the absence of red flags.

CT for Uncomplicated Rhinosinusitis

Don’t order sinus CT or indiscriminately prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated acute rhinosinusitis.

Imaging for Uncomplicated Headaches

Don’t do imaging for uncomplicated headache.

CT for Minor Pediatric Head Injury

CT scans are not necessary in the immediate evaluation of minor head injuries; clinical observation / Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network criteria should be used to determine whether imaging is indicated.

CT for Adult Minor Head Trauma

Avoid computer tomography (CT) scans of the head in emergency department patients with minor head injury who are at low risk based on validated decision rules.

Advanced Imaging for Pediatric Febrile Seizures

Neuroimaging (CT, MRI) is not necessary in a child with simple febrile seizure