title: RANZCR Body Systems Framework of diagnostic imaging examination descriptors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A unified and logical system of descriptors for diagnostic imaging examinations and procedures is a desirable resource for radiology in Australia and New Zealand and is needed to support core activities of RANZCR. Existing descriptor systems available in Australia and New Zealand (including the Medicare DIST and the ACC Schedule) have significant limitations and are inappropriate for broader clinical application.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anatomically based grid was constructed, with anatomical structures arranged in rows and diagnostic imaging modalities arranged in columns (including nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography). The grid was segregated into five body systems. The cells at the intersection of an anatomical structure row and an imaging modality column were populated with short, formulaic descriptors of the applicable diagnostic imaging examinations. Clinically illogical or physically impossible combinations were 'greyed out'. Where the same examination applied to different anatomical structures, the descriptor was kept identical for the purposes of streamlining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The resulting Body Systems Framework of diagnostic imaging examination descriptors lists all the reasonably common diagnostic imaging examinations currently performed in Australia and New Zealand using a unified grid structure allowing navigation by both referrers and radiologists. The Framework has been placed on the RANZCR website and is available for access free of charge by registered users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Body Systems Framework of diagnostic imaging examination descriptors is a system of descriptors based on relationships between anatomical structures and imaging modalities. The Framework is now available as a resource and reference point for the radiology profession and to support core College activities.
authors.affiliation: Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Alexander G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Pitman
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Penlington
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Doromal
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vukolova
mesh_terms: D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D001315:Australia; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards*; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009323:Natural Language Processing; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011871:Radiology / Q000592:standards*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D018875:Vocabulary, Controlled
keywords: descriptor system; diagnostic examination descriptors; diagnostic examination terminology; diagnostic modalities; radiologic anatomy