Chronic Dyspnea-Noncardiovascular Origin

Variant: 1 Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.

Procedure	Appropriateness Category	Relative Radiation Level
Radiography chest	Usually Appropriate	☢
CT chest without IV contrast	May Be Appropriate (Disagreement)	☢☢☢
US chest	Usually Not Appropriate	O
Fluoroscopy chest	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
MRI chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
MRI chest without IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
CT chest with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
CT chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢☢

Variant: 2 Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.

Procedure	Appropriateness Category	Relative Radiation Level
Radiography chest	Usually Appropriate	☢
CT chest without IV contrast	Usually Appropriate	☢☢☢
US chest	Usually Not Appropriate	O
Fluoroscopy chest	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
MRI chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
MRI chest without IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
CT chest with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
CT chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
V/Q scan lung	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢☢

Variant: 3 Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.

Procedure	Appropriateness Category	Relative Radiation Level
Radiography chest	Usually Appropriate	☢
CT chest without IV contrast	Usually Appropriate	☢☢☢
US chest	Usually Not Appropriate	O
Fluoroscopy chest	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
MRI chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
MRI chest without IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
CT chest with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
CT chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢☢

Variant: 4 Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.

Procedure	Appropriateness Category	Relative Radiation Level
Radiography chest	Usually Appropriate	☢
CT chest without IV contrast	Usually Appropriate	☢☢☢
US chest	Usually Not Appropriate	O
Fluoroscopy chest	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
MRI chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
MRI chest without IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
CT chest with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
CT chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢☢

Variant: 5 Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.

Procedure	Appropriateness Category	Relative Radiation Level
Radiography chest	Usually Appropriate	☢
CT chest with IV contrast	Usually Appropriate	☢☢☢
CT chest without IV contrast	Usually Appropriate	☢☢☢
US chest	Usually Not Appropriate	O
Fluoroscopy chest	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
MRI chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
MRI chest without IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
CT chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢☢

Variant: 6 Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.

Procedure	Appropriateness Category	Relative Radiation Level
Radiography chest	Usually Appropriate	☢
CT chest with IV contrast	May Be Appropriate	☢☢☢
CT chest without IV contrast	May Be Appropriate	☢☢☢
US chest	Usually Not Appropriate	O
Fluoroscopy chest	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢
MRI chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
MRI chest without IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	O
CT chest without and with IV contrast	Usually Not Appropriate	☢☢☢

Panel Members

Jared D. Christensen, MD, MBA^a; Michael Harowicz, MD^b; Christopher M. Walker, MD^c; Brent P. Little, MD^d; Kiran Batra, MD^e; Anupama G. Brixey, MD^f; Melissa B. Carroll, MD^g; Lydia Chelala, MD^h; Christian W. Cox, MDⁱ; M. Bradley Drummond, MD, MHS^j; Nicole M. Geissen, DO^k; Jason Halpern, MD^l; Rachna Madan, MBBS^m; Venu Pararath Gopalakrishnan, MDⁿ; Girish S. Shroff, MD^o; Christina S. Thornton, MD, PhD^p; Jennifer Zreloff, MD^q; Jonathan H. Chung, MD^r.

Summary of Literature Review

Introduction/Background

Special Imaging Considerations

Initial Imaging Definition

Initial imaging is defined as imaging at the beginning of the care episode for the medical condition defined by the variant. More than one procedure can be considered usually appropriate in the initial imaging evaluation when:

There are procedures that are equivalent alternatives (i.e., only one procedure will be ordered to provide the clinical information to effectively manage the patient’s care)

There are complementary procedures (i.e., more than one procedure is ordered as a set or simultaneously wherein each procedure provides unique clinical information to effectively manage the patient’s care).

Discussion of Procedures by Variant

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.
A. CT chest with IV contrast

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.
B. CT chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.
C. CT chest without IV contrast

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.
D. FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.
E. Fluoroscopy chest

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.
F. MRI chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.
G. MRI chest without IV contrast

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.
H. Radiography chest

Variant 1: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Unclear etiology. Initial imaging.
I. US chest

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
A. CT chest with IV contrast

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
B. CT chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
C. CT chest without IV contrast

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
D. FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
E. Fluoroscopy chest

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
F. MRI chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
G. MRI chest without IV contrast

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
H. Radiography chest

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
I. US chest

Variant 2: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Initial imaging.
J. V/Q scan lung

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.
A. CT chest with IV contrast

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.
B. CT chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.
C. CT chest without IV contrast

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.
D. FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.
E. Fluoroscopy chest

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.
F. MRI chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.
G. MRI chest without IV contrast

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.
H. Radiography chest

Variant 3: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected small airways disease. Initial imaging.
I. US chest

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.
A. CT chest with IV contrast

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.
B. CT chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.
C. CT chest without IV contrast

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.
D. FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.
E. Fluoroscopy chest

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.
F. MRI chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.
G. MRI chest without IV contrast

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.
H. Radiography chest

Variant 4: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Known or suspected prior COVID-19 infection. Initial imaging.
I. US chest

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.
A. CT chest with IV contrast

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.
B. CT chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.
C. CT chest without IV contrast

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.
D. FDG-PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.
E. Fluoroscopy chest

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.
F. MRI chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.
G. MRI chest without IV contrast

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.
H. Radiography chest

Variant 5: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall. Initial imaging.
I. US chest

Variant 6: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.

Variant 6: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.
A. CT chest with IV contrast

Variant 6: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.
B. CT chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 6: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.
C. CT chest without IV contrast

Variant 6: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.
D. Fluoroscopy chest

Variant 6: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.
E. MRI chest without and with IV contrast

Variant 6: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.
F. MRI chest without IV contrast

Variant 6: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.
G. Radiography chest

Variant 6: Adult. Chronic dyspnea. Suspected diaphragm dysfunction. Initial imaging.
H. US chest

Summary of Highlights

Supporting Documents

The evidence table, literature search, and appendix for this topic are available at https://acsearch.acr.org/list. The appendix includes the strength of evidence assessment and the final rating round tabulations for each recommendation.

For additional information on the Appropriateness Criteria methodology and other supporting documents, please go to the ACR website at https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/Clinical-Tools-and-Reference/Appropriateness-Criteria.

Gender Equality and Inclusivity Clause

The ACR acknowledges the limitations in applying inclusive language when citing research studies that predates the use of the current understanding of language inclusive of diversity in sex, intersex, gender, and gender-diverse people. The data variables regarding sex and gender used in the cited literature will not be changed. However, this guideline will use the terminology and definitions as proposed by the National Institutes of Health.

Appropriateness Category Names and Definitions

Appropriateness Category Name	Appropriateness Rating	Appropriateness Category Definition
Usually Appropriate	7, 8, or 9	The imaging procedure or treatment is indicated in the specified clinical scenarios at a favorable risk-benefit ratio for patients.
May Be Appropriate	4, 5, or 6	The imaging procedure or treatment may be indicated in the specified clinical scenarios as an alternative to imaging procedures or treatments with a more favorable risk-benefit ratio, or the risk-benefit ratio for patients is equivocal.
May Be Appropriate (Disagreement)	5	The individual ratings are too dispersed from the panel median. The different label provides transparency regarding the panel’s recommendation. “May be appropriate” is the rating category and a rating of 5 is assigned.
Usually Not Appropriate	1, 2, or 3	The imaging procedure or treatment is unlikely to be indicated in the specified clinical scenarios, or the risk-benefit ratio for patients is likely to be unfavorable.

Relative Radiation Level Information

Potential adverse health effects associated with radiation exposure are an important factor to consider when selecting the appropriate imaging procedure. Because there is a wide range of radiation exposures associated with different diagnostic procedures, a relative radiation level (RRL) indication has been included for each imaging examination. The RRLs are based on effective dose, which is a radiation dose quantity that is used to estimate population total radiation risk associated with an imaging procedure. Patients in the pediatric age group are at inherently higher risk from exposure, because of both organ sensitivity and longer life expectancy (relevant to the long latency that appears to accompany radiation exposure). For these reasons, the RRL dose estimate ranges for pediatric examinations are lower as compared with those specified for adults (see Table below). Additional information regarding radiation dose assessment for imaging examinations can be found in the ACR Appropriateness Criteria^® Radiation Dose Assessment Introduction document.

Relative Radiation Level Designations
Relative Radiation Level*	Adult Effective Dose Estimate Range	Pediatric Effective Dose Estimate Range
O	0 mSv	0 mSv
☢	<0.1 mSv	<0.03 mSv
☢☢	0.1-1 mSv	0.03-0.3 mSv
☢☢☢	1-10 mSv	0.3-3 mSv
☢☢☢☢	10-30 mSv	3-10 mSv
☢☢☢☢☢	30-100 mSv	10-30 mSv
*RRL assignments for some of the examinations cannot be made, because the actual patient doses in these procedures vary as a function of a number of factors (e.g., region of the body exposed to ionizing radiation, the imaging guidance that is used). The RRLs for these examinations are designated as “Varies.”

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Disclaimer

The ACR Committee on Appropriateness Criteria and its expert panels have developed criteria for determining appropriate imaging examinations for diagnosis and treatment of specified medical condition(s). These criteria are intended to guide radiologists, radiation oncologists and referring physicians in making decisions regarding radiologic imaging and treatment. Generally, the complexity and severity of a patient’s clinical condition should dictate the selection of appropriate imaging procedures or treatments. Only those examinations generally used for evaluation of the patient’s condition are ranked. Other imaging studies necessary to evaluate other co-existent diseases or other medical consequences of this condition are not considered in this document. The availability of equipment or personnel may influence the selection of appropriate imaging procedures or treatments. Imaging techniques classified as investigational by the FDA have not been considered in developing these criteria; however, study of new equipment and applications should be encouraged. The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any specific radiologic examination or treatment must be made by the referring physician and radiologist in light of all the circumstances presented in an individual examination.