ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Myelopathy: 2026 Update.

Abstract

Myelopathy, a clinical diagnosis of spinal cord dysfunction, necessitates appropriate imaging to differentiate between extrinsic and intrinsic pathologies. This document outlines evidence-based guidelines for imaging evaluation of acute, chronic, and vascular etiologies for myelopathy. These criteria provide an imaging framework to guide surgical or medical intervention. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.