The CT Colonography Reporting and Data System (C-RADS) undergoes a significant update in version 2023, addressing emerging challenges and refining classification schemes. This update, published in Radiology, offers insights accumulated over 18 years since its inception, enhancing the communication and management of CT colonography (CTC) findings. Key revisions include subcategorization of findings and simplification of extracolonic classification, aiming to streamline reporting practices and encourage wider adoption of CTC.
The CT Colonography Reporting and Data System (C-RADS) stands as a cornerstone in the interpretation and reporting of CT colonography (CTC) findings. With its inception in 2005, C-RADS has provided a robust framework for communicating both colonic and extracolonic findings. However, evolving clinical experience and technological advancements necessitate periodic updates to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness. In response, the C-RADS version 2023 update, published in Radiology, introduces refinements aimed at addressing current challenges and optimizing reporting practices for CTC.
Established by the American College of Radiology (ACR) through its ACR Committee on C-RADS (CT Colonography), the CT Colonography Reporting and Data System (C-RADS) has long served as a robust framework for effectively communicating CT colonography (CTC) findings. The enduring nature of C-RADS over the past 18 years underscores its effectiveness as a guide for interpreting and reporting both colonic and extracolonic findings. However, the evolution of collective experience with C-RADS has necessitated the development of the C-RADS version 2023 update to address emerging challenges and enhance its utility.
Key updates introduced in the C-RADS version 2023 include:
– Revision of the classification and management of CT colonography examinations, marking 18 years since the original proposal of C-RADS.
– Subcategorization of C2 into C2a and the introduction of a new subcategory, C2b, tailored for mass-like diverticular strictures deemed likely benign.
– Simplification of extracolonic classification by consolidating categories E1 and E2 into a unified E1/E2 category, indicating no extracolonic findings necessitating follow-up.
The statement highlights the enduring relevance of C-RADS as a dependable classification scheme for CTC findings, with the version 2023 update offering refinements specifically aimed at addressing nuances in the interpretation and reporting of colorectal and extracolonic findings. Notably, the introduction of the C2b subcategory addresses confusion surrounding the classification of mass-like diverticular strictures, providing a more nuanced approach to their characterization.
Moreover, the streamlining of extracolonic classification simplifies the reporting process by amalgamating categories E1 and E2 into a single category, E1/E2, which eliminates the need for differential follow-up based on whether a finding is considered a normal variant or clinically inconsequential.
The authors emphasize the ongoing evolution and expansion of reporting and data systems within the American College of Radiology (ACR), aimed at standardizing terminology and report structures to facilitate consistent communication of findings. This standardization not only enhances the reliability of communication but also informs recommendations for patient management and follow-up while enabling uniform classification of data for research purposes and quality assessment.
Reflecting on the significance of C-RADS within the landscape of reporting and data systems, the authors underscore its widespread adoption and utility since its inception in 2005. The original system, encompassing criteria for evaluating both colorectal lesions and extracolonic findings, has contributed to a standardized approach to reporting and managing CTC findings, benefiting both screening and diagnostic applications.
The publication of the C-RADS version 2023 update marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of CT colonography reporting and management. By incorporating valuable insights gained over 18 years and addressing emerging challenges, this update enhances the utility and effectiveness of C-RADS in clinical practice. The streamlined classification schemes and simplified extracolonic classification introduced in this update aim to foster greater consistency and accuracy in reporting, ultimately improving patient care and facilitating wider adoption of CTC as a diagnostic modality.
