Neck Imaging Guidelines

This policy covers advanced neck imaging (CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine) for common neck symptoms and conditions including cerebrovascular/carotid disease, dysphagia and esophageal disorders, cervical lymphadenopathy and neck masses, thyroid/parathyroid and salivary gland disorders, recurrent laryngeal palsy, tracheal/bronchial disease, neck pain, and head/neck malignancies. Coverage requires a prior pertinent clinical evaluation (detailed history, physical exam, appropriate labs and basic imaging such as radiography or ultrasound) unless the study is part of guideline‑supported scheduled surveillance; atypical presentations not addressed by the tool require physician review, MRI is generally reserved for specific scenarios while CT is preferred, and contrast use has specific caveats (eg, potential impact on thyroid/RAI studies and obscuring salivary duct stones).

"Except as expressly permitted, you may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, hyperlink to or from, or distribute in any way the CRC, nor may you sell, transfer, distribute..."