The RadLex Playbook is a radiology procedure naming system created by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).  Each Playbook procedure has a unique code, the RadLex Playbook identifier (RPID). A RPID is defined by a set of attribute values that each describes one part of the exam,such as modality (e.g., CT, XR, US), modality modifier (such as angiography for CT), use of pharmaceuticals (e.g., biliary contrast) and body part (such a s Carotid Artery Bilateral). Each distinct attribute value is assigned a RadLEx identifier (RID).

Here’s an example:

     RPID2492  XR ABDOMEN AP
                    RID10345    PROJECTION RADIOGRAPHY
                    RID56         Abdomen
                    RID28784   AP

Keep in mind the following tips to help you map your radiological exams to RadLex Playbook:

• We found it is easier for mapping to download the csv file of the playbook, rather than using the online browser.  You can filter the various columns to narrow down your search by opening the csv file as a spreadsheet.
• Due to procedure naming convention and lack of ordering by a particular field, browsing the entire file can be a challenge. Instead, first filter by modality, then by modality modifier if applicable.  This reduces the number of rows you need to review to find a match.
• The Playbook has some terms that are duplicated in every way except for the RPID and the description of the term use – one is an orderable whereas the other is a protocol, e.g.:

                RPID188 CT ABD- A computed tomography RADIOLOGY ORDERABLE imaging procedure
                                                 focused on the abdomen.
                RPID839 CT ABD- A computed tomography IMAGING PROTOCOL imaging procedure focused
                                                on the abdomen.

          Select the orderable if you’re mapping a radiological exam.

• Be aware of the status of the RPID – active, deprecated, discouraged or trial. You may want to consider RPIDs with trial status in addition to active ones.
• RadLex Playbook is not yet complete; attribute sets are not necessarily consistent, as seen in the following examples (as of the current RadLex version 2.1 at this writing):

Future releases of RadLex Playbook may add the missing terms.

We have mapped our customers’ local radiology procedures to RadLex.  If you would like our help, please contact us.