Introducing “Uncover This Tech Term” and “Emerging Rad Dx” Articles in the Korean Journal of Radiology

The Korean Journal of Radiology (KJR) has recently introduced two new editorial-type articles, namely “Uncover This Tech Term” and “Emerging Rad Dx,” to its list of article types.

Uncover This Tech Term

“Uncover This Tech Term” articles are intended to serve as quick and convenient references for recent or emerging technology/technique-related terms and concepts. These may include artificial intelligence-related terms/concepts, imaging technique-related terms/concepts (e.g., new CT or MRI scan methods/sequences), statistical analysis-related terms/concepts, and more. The main goal of these articles is to provide clear and intuitive explanations of these terms and concepts, accompanied by practical examples from research studies or clinical practice. The primary objective is to help average clinical radiologists grasp these terms and concepts rapidly and effectively.

Similar to articles that share comparable characteristics published in other journals [1,2,3], we do not require specific text structures. However, we encourage these articles to begin with a concise yet comprehensive opening paragraph that provides a clear definition and summary of the terms and concepts. This initial section addresses the question, “What is ABC?” (with ABC being replaced with the specific term being described). Subsequent paragraphs should feature illustrative examples that demonstrate the practical applications of ABC in research studies or clinical practice. Through these examples, readers can gain a better understanding of “What ABC is and how it is used,” thereby enhancing their overall comprehension. The title should be as “Uncover This Tech Term: ABC” (with ABC being replaced with the specific term the article addresses). The authors are free to use section titles as appropriate. These articles should not include an abstract and be limited to ≤ 1000 words. In addition, the authors are allowed to include ≤ 2 figures and/or tables to supplement the text.

Emerging Rad Dx

The main purpose of “Emerging Rad Dx” articles is to elucidate newly discovered or emerging diseases or conditions that have significant radiological relevance. The aim is to equip radiologists with the necessary knowledge to stay updated on relevant developments in the medical field and ensure accurate and up-to-date radiological interpretations. These diseases or conditions may encompass entirely novel ailments such as the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2019 or COVID-19 vaccination-related lymphadenopathy following the initiation of COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, they may involve changes in disease definitions or classifications that mandate substantial updates in radiological interpretation.

This article presents exemplary cases, focusing on explaining typical radiological findings and crucial points for radiologists to consider when making interpretations and diagnoses. As a result, they may share some similarities with case reports. However, it is important to note that “Emerging Rad Dx” articles differ from general case reports, which often revolve around the rarity or unusual nature of a particular disease or finding. Instead, the primary objective of “Emerging Rad Dx” articles is to raise awareness of novel or emerging diseases or conditions that carry significant radiological relevance and health implications. The goal is to promote updated radiological interpretations and diagnoses among a broad group of practitioners. Hence, these articles do not merely report on so-called “first reported” or “rarely reported” cases. The key criteria for selection are limited awareness among radiologists and the importance of raising awareness regarding a certain disease or issue that has substantial radiological and health implications. For further clarity, it is rare for KJR to publish general case reports, and if any are published, they are typically presented as Letter to the Editor, particularly when they have direct relevance to or aid in the interpretation of materials previously published in the journal [4,5]. Additionally, it is recommended to include a comprehensive set of imaging modalities and examinations in “Emerging Rad Dx” articles. We do not require specific text structures, such as introduction, case/patient/case report, discussion, etc., and the authors may use section titles at their discretion. These articles should not include an abstract and be limited to ≤ 1000 words. Additionally, the authors are allowed to include ≤ 2 figures and/or tables.

Previously, we published materials of this nature under several different article types, such as Pictorial Essay, Letter to the Editor, and occasionally Case Report [6,7,8]. However, we now plan to consistently publish such materials as “Emerging Rad Dx” articles. It is worth noting that materials containing a series of multiple cases may be better suited for the Brief Research Report format, which is a type of original research report that KJR publishes [9].

In conclusion, the “Uncover This Tech Term” and “Emerging Rad Dx” articles aim to provide quick and convenient references for the latest technology/technique-related terms and concepts and insights into emerging diseases or conditions of radiological relevance, respectively. We encourage the authors to submit high-quality manuscripts that align with the purpose and scope of these articles. For further guidance on the manuscript submission, the authors are encouraged to refer to the journal's Publication Instructions for Authors.