ACR Releases Patient-Friendly Summary of Appropriateness Criteria for Anorectal Disease Imaging

The ACR has published a plain-language version of its Appropriateness Criteria for anorectal disease, translating imaging recommendations into patient-accessible guidance on when and why specific studies are indicated.

• This is a patient-facing adaptation of existing ACR Appropriateness Criteria for anorectal disease, not a new primary research study — no new clinical data or effect sizes are reported.
• Covers imaging appropriateness across anorectal conditions (e.g., fistula, abscess, rectal cancer staging); specific modality recommendations and evidence grades follow the underlying ACR AC framework.
• Primary limitation: content is derived from the source guideline's evidence base; no new systematic review or quantitative synthesis was performed for this summary document.

RadPigeon summaries are original and for information only. They are not clinical advice.