Publication rates for abstracts presented by korean investigators at major radiology meetings

OBJECTIVE: To determine the publication rate of abstracts presented by Korean investigators at national and international radiological meetings, and to identify predictive factors of publication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abstracts presented at the annual meetings of the Korean Radiological Society (KRS), and abstracts presented by Korean investigators at the annual meetings of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and European Congress of Radiology (ECR) from 2001 to 2002 were searched for subsequent publication, using PubMed and the Korean Medical Database. The following variables were evaluated. 1) The overall publication rate; 2) the publication rates according to the radiological subspecialty, presentation type (oral or poster), sample size ( 50), study design (prospective or retrospective), statistical analysis (present or absent), and study outcome (positive or negative); 3) the time to publication; 4) the journal where the study was published; 5) consistency between the abstract and the final publication. RESULTS: Of 1,097 abstracts, 301 (27.4%) were subsequently published, at an average of 15.8 +/- 13.8 months after presentation in 48 journals. The publication rates for studies presented at the RSNA (35.4%) and ECR (50.5%) conferences were significantly higher than that for the KRS conference (23.6%, p < 0.05). Vascular/interventional radiology studies had the highest publication rate (33.1%), whereas musculoskeletal radiology studies had the lowest publication rate (17.1%). Other factors associated with subsequent publication were prospective design, use of statistical testing, and a positive study outcome. CONCLUSION: The publication rate is significantly lower for the KRS (23.6%) meeting abstracts as compared to those of the RSNA (35.4%) and ECR (50.5%). Prospective design, use of statistical testing, and positive study outcome have a statistically significant effect on the publication rate.     

Publication rate of scientific abstracts presented at ESSR 2008 and 2009

Objective

During the ESSR 2011 Research Committee Meeting, the duration of intellectual property of a research proposal was discussed. A duration of 2 years from idea to publication was suggested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how many ESSR 2008 and 2009 scientific abstracts were PubMed cited in print within 2 years of the congress.

Materials and methods

In September of 2011, two researchers independently performed a literature search using author names and title words of all ESSR 2008 and 2009 scientific abstracts published in Skeletal Radiology. In case of similarity or doubt, a senior reviewer made the final decision. Publication details were recorded and analyses were performed in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA).

Results

Until September of 2011, 62 out of 137 ESSR 2008 and 2009 scientific abstracts (45 %) were PubMed cited in print [2008:34/73(47 %); 2009:28/64(44 %)]. 54 out of 137 abstracts (39 %) were PubMed cited in print within 2 years of the congress [2008:30/73(41 %); 2009:23/64(36 %)] including eight out of 137 abstracts (6 %), which were already published before the congress [2008:4/73(5 %); 2009:4/64(6 %)]. The top-ranking journal in absolute numbers of publications was Skeletal Radiology. The top publishing country was the United Kingdom. Study sample size and first author position between abstract and publication did not change in the majority.

Conclusions

Thirty-nine percent of ESSR 2008 and 2009 scientific abstracts were published within 2 years of the congress including 6 % that were already PubMed cited in print before the congress.     

Improving educational computer exhibits at radiologic meetings by modifying computer environment: results of an observational study.

An observational study of educational computer exhibits (ECEs) at the 86th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in 2000 was performed to determine the frequency with which the ECEs were in working order. At any given time, an average of 10% of the 71 exhibits were found to be inoperable, and, although some exhibits were functioning 100% of the time, others were not functioning up to 55% of the time. These observations underscore the importance of careful design when creating a computer-based exhibit for a meeting. Downtime of ECEs at meetings is the result of both intentional and unintentional user actions. Given that traditional poster presentations are "working" 100% of the time, modifications made to the environment of an exhibit computer to reduce downtime would be beneficial. Several relatively easy computer configuration steps can be taken that will likely improve the amount of time that an exhibit is functional. Electronic exhibits allow a more interactive experience for users and, with some assistance, will continue to be an effective educational tool.     

The fate of neuroradiologic abstracts presented at national meetings in 1993: rate of subsequent publication in peer-reviewed, indexed journals.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Abstract presentations are a valuable means of rapidly conveying new information; however, abstracts that fail to eventually become published are of little use to the general medical community. Our goals were to determine the publication rate of neuroradiologic papers originally presented at national meetings in 1993 and to assess publication rate as a function of neuroradiologic subspecialty and study design. METHODS: Proceedings from the 1993 ASNR and RSNA meetings were reviewed. A MEDLINE search encompassing 1993-1997 was performed cross-referencing lead author and at least one text word based on the abstract title. All ASNR and RSNA neuroradiologic abstracts were included. Study type, subspecialty classification, and sample size were tabulated. Publication rate, based on study design and neuroradiologic subspecialty, was compared with overall publication rate. Median duration from meeting presentation to publication was calculated, and the journals of publication were noted. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent of ASNR abstracts and 33% of RSNA neuroradiologic abstracts were published as articles in indexed medical journals. Publication rates among neuroradiologic subspecialty types were not significantly different. Prospective studies presented at the ASNR were published at a higher rate than were retrospective studies. There was no difference between the publication rate of experimental versus clinical studies. Neuroradiologic abstracts were published less frequently than were abstracts within other medical specialties. Median time between abstract presentation and publication was 15 months. CONCLUSION: Approximately one third of neuroradiologic abstracts presented at national meetings in 1993 were published in indexed journals. This rate is lower than that of abstracts from medical specialties other than radiology.     

Abdominal leiomyosarcomas: radiologic appearances at various locations

Leiomyosarcomas are soft tissue tumors that account for approximately 15% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Leiomyosarcomas may be located at almost any part of the abdomen but especially are more common in the retroperitoneum, followed by gastrointestinal tract and genital system. They develop mainly in adult life and are very rare in children. In this article, imaging findings of leiomyosarcomas in various abdominal locations are presented. Radiologic studies are capable of providing useful information on the localization, size, changes in the internal structure of the tumor, its extension and invasion. Leiomyosarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis in case of detection of a large, circumscribed, and heterogenous abdominal mass. Histopathologically, diagnosis of malignancy depends particularly on mitotic counts, size, rate of necrosis, and infiltrating margins. Electronic Publication     

Publication rates of abstracts presented at Biennial Meetings of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine

A study was carried out to determine the fate of abstracts presented at the Biennial Meetings of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Sports Medicine. All abstracts presented at the 1997 and 1999 Biennial Meetings of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Sports Medicine were entered into a database. A Medline search was performed in November 2003 for each abstract to determine whether a full publication resulted from the abstract. The rate of publication and the journals in which they were published were determined. The overall rate of publication from the 1997 and 1999 meetings were 34.6 and 39.3%, respectively. The most common journals for subsequent publication were Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, American Journal of Sports Medicine, and Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. Research presented in abstract form at scientific meetings provides an early look at ongoing research projects. These abstracts are not subjected to the full peer-review process required of publications in journals. Many of the abstracts presented at the Biennial Meetings of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Sports Medicine did not result in a full journal publication. While it is not possible to determine the reason for abstracts failing to lead to journal publications, it is possible that some of these projects did not meet the scientific scrutiny of the peer-review process required for full publication.     

Scientific papers presented at the European Congress of Radiology: a two-year comparison

The purpose of this report was to determine the rate at which abstracts orally presented at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2001 were published in 2001–2005 Medline-indexed journals and to compare publication rates and factors with presentations at the ECR in two different periods (2001 and 2000). Absolute and relative publication rates (APR, RPR) and different publication-related factors were analysed. From 991 abstracts originating from 52 countries, 449 articles (APR 45%) were subsequently published in 125 journals, most frequently in European Radiology (n=79, 18%). Country of origin statistically (p<0.0001) influences subsequent publication of the abstract, with Germany having the highest number of presentations (n=300) and derived articles (n=175, RPR 58%) whereas Sweden had the highest RPR (82%). Interventional and physics studies had the highest RPR (59% and 58%, respectively). The ECR meeting has a very high and stable APR (ECR 2001: 45% vs ECR 2000: 47%), and the journal European Radiology had the larger number of related publications (18% RPR following ECR 2001 compared with 14% from ECR 2000). Germany had the highest number of presentations and publications for both meetings. The highest RPR for ECR 2001 was found in interventional and physics studies whereas chest and cardiac studies had the highest RPR for ECR 2000.     

Planning and conducting meetings effectively, part III: keeping meetings on track

The attendees at a meeting have different ways in which they get information and make decisions, different personal needs, and different ways in which they participate in groups. Some have counterproductive behaviors in committee meetings, such as attacking others, talking too long but not saying much, talking too little, deliberately trying to undermine the process, bringing up unrelated issues, engaging in private conversations with others, or silencing others. The chairperson must meet all of these challenges to have a productive meeting. This article gives some tips on how to run meetings well.     

Inadvertent ligation of the aberrant right hepatic duct at cholecystectomy: radiologic diagnosis and therapy.

Aberrant right hepatic ducts are the most common biliary tract anomaly and are particularly susceptible to injury at cholecystectomy because of their critical location. The authors report radiologic diagnosis and therapy in five cases of inadvertent ligation of this duct at cholecystectomy. The diagnosis was unsuspected prior to the radiologic studies in each patient. Four patients experienced recurrent cholangitis; one patient had chronic pain as the only symptom. Prior to diagnosis, the duration of symptoms ranged from 2 weeks to 126 months. Findings at ultrasound, computed tomography, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with differential biliary pressures helped establish the diagnosis in each patient. Findings at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were nondiagnostic in four patients. Percutaneous biliary drainage provided palliation of symptoms, improved each patient's condition prior to reconstructive surgery, and provided an intraoperative landmark for the surgeon. Two patients had associated bilomas, one of which was infected and was drained percutaneously. All patients survived and recovered without further complications.     

Adult neuroblastoma: radiologic and clinicopathologic features

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to define the imaging findings of adult neuroblastoma (ANB) and correlate them with clinicopathologic features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT scans and MR images of six patients with histologically confirmed ANB (mean age, 49 years) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The arising sites of tumors included the retroperitoneum (n = 2), pelvis (n = 2), anterior mediastinum (n = 1), and adrenal gland (n = 1). The common CT finding was poorly marginated and heterogeneous mass without calcification. Cystic components were often found. On contrast-enhanced CT or MR images, tumors showed heterogeneous enhancement. On T2-weighted images, all masses demonstrated predominantly hyper signal intensity relative to skeletal muscle and the images showed heterogeneous appearance with focal areas of high intensity interspersed with septations of low signal intensity. Soft tissue masses with bone involvement were identified in one case on MR images. The CT findings in one tumor originating from mediastinum were similar to those of tumors arising from other sites. CONCLUSION: ANB is an uncommon malignancy that often pursues an aggressive clinical course, involves multiple sites, and has a poor prognosis. Tumors usually manifest on CT or MR images as a poorly demarcated mass mainly in the retroperitoneum and pelvis. Imaging studies can depict aggressive characteristics and disease extent of ANB.     

Trilateral retinoblastoma: clinical and radiologic progression

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and radiologic features of tumor progression in children with trilateral retinoblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of eight children with trilateral retinoblastoma were reviewed for the patient's age at the time of diagnosis of the ocular tumor, time interval from diagnosis of ocular retinoblastoma to discovery of the intracranial tumor, time interval from diagnosis of retinoblastoma to death, and time interval from diagnosis of the intracranial tumor to death. CT or MRI studies were reviewed for the appearance of the primary intracranial neoplasm, intracranial metastases, and spinal metastases. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at diagnosis of bilateral retinoblastoma was 4.5 months, and the mean age at diagnosis of the intracranial midline tumor was 26 months. The mean interval from the time of diagnosis of retinoblastoma to discovery of the intracranial tumor was 21.5 months. Two children had spinal leptomeningeal metastases at the time of discovery of the midline intracranial mass although no intracranial metastases were seen on imaging. In the other children, intracranial and spinal leptomeningeal metastases frequently developed within months of the diagnosis of retinoblastoma despite lack of progression in the midline intracranial lesion. Six children died of leptomeningeal spread of tumor. The mean interval from diagnosis of the ocular tumor to death was 46 months and from diagnosis of the intracranial tumor to death was 17 months. One child developed metastatic retinoblastoma in the ulna 10 years after the diagnosis of the intracranial tumor. CONCLUSION: Children typically died of leptomeningeal tumor dissemination despite lack of progression in the midline intracranial mass. Effective treatment of trilateral retinoblastoma may require close evaluation of these children for leptomeningeal dissemination.     

Ileocecal tuberculosis: CT and radiologic evaluation

The CT and radiologic findings in 11 patients (five with AIDS and six without AIDS) with ileocecal tuberculosis are described. On CT scans, five cases showed mild circumferential wall thickening of the terminal ileum and cecum, thickening of the ileocecal valve, and a few regional nodes. One case presented as nonspecific small-bowel obstruction. In five patients a more characteristic CT appearance was detected: preferential thickening of the ileocecal valve and medial wall of the cecum, exophytic extension engulfing the terminal ileum, and massive lymphadenopathy with low-density areas consistent with caseation necrosis. Patients with AIDS had a more severe form of involvement than those who did not have AIDS. Barium studies showed ileocecal changes consistent with an inflammatory process. In conjunction with barium enema, CT is helpful in the initial evaluation of ileocecal tuberculosis, showing the location and extent of intestinal and mesenteric involvement in most cases. Characteristic CT findings are seen when the inflammatory process is severe.