Al
though pros
ta
te cancer can be effec
tively
trea
ted, recurren
t or residual disease af
ter
therapy is no
t uncommon and is usually de
tec
ted by a rise in pros
ta
te-specific an
tigen. Pa
tien
ts wi
th biochemical pros
ta
te-specific an
tigen relapse should undergo a promp
t search for
the presence of local recurrence or dis
tan
t me
tas
ta
tic disease, each requiring differen
t forms of
therapy. Various imaging modali
ties and image-guided procedures may be used in
the evalua
tion of
these pa
tien
ts. Li
tera
ture on
the indica
tions and usefulness of
these radiologic s
tudies and procedures in specific clinical se
ttings is reviewed.
The ACR Appropriateness Criteria? are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances in which evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.