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. |
CT for Renal Colic |
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 |