Apparent Diffusion Coefficient analysis of encephalitis: A comparative study with topographic evaluation and conventional MRI findings.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to reveal the efficiency of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of encephalitis, and to determine the relation between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, the onset of the clinical symptoms, and the lesion extent. METHODS: Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 17 patients with encephalitis diagnosed on the basis of laboratory, clinical and radiologic findings during 2009 and 2015. Based on the duration between the onset of the symptoms and the brain MRI findings, the patients were divided into three groups. ADC values of the encephalitis lesion, the lesions' topographic analysis score, deep gray matter involvement, patients' clinical situation and the duration of the arrival to the clinic was examined. RESULTS: Mean ADC values were 0,988±0,335 x10(-3) mm(2)/s in group I (0-2 days), 1,045±0,347 x10(-3) mm(2)/s in Group-II (3-7 days), 1,451±0,225 x10(-3) mm(2)/s in Group-III (8 days and over). The relation between the ADC values and the duration of the arrival, topographic analysis score, the relation between the patients' clinical situation and the deep gray matter involvement were found to be statistically significant. The deep gray matter involvement was demonstrated more clearly by FLAIR images when compared with DWI. CONCLUSION: Conventional MRI sequences may be insufficient in showing the encephalitis lesion. DWI must be added to the imaging modalities immediately in the cases suspected of having encephalitis.

The fate of abstracts presented at Turkish national radiology congresses in 2010-2012.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the analysis and publication rates of abstracts presented at the Turkish National Radiology meetings in 2010-2012. METHODS: Abstracts presented in the national radiology meetings of 2010, 2011, and 2012 were included in the study. The presentations were classified according to presentation type (oral or poster presentations), study type, study design, imaged organ or body systems, imaging modalities, time interval between the presentation and the publication date, and the journal in which the article was published. The conversion rate of presentations into full-text articles in peer-reviewed journals were surveyed through PubMed. The time from presentation in the meetings to publication was determined. The distribution of journals was also demonstrated. RESULTS: The total number of presentations submitted in three national radiology meetings was 3,192. The publication rate was 11% for the 2010 meeting, 8.2% for the 2011 meeting, and 9.6% for the 2012 meeting. A total of 300 papers were published, with an average of 15 months (range, 0-42 months) between presentation and final publication. The first three refereed international journals with the most number of papers derived from these meetings were Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinical Imaging, and European Journal of Radiology. CONCLUSION: The overall publication rate of scientific abstracts from Turkey was lower than those from overseas countries. Encouraging the authors to conduct higher-quality research would raise the publication rate as well as improve the quality and success of our scientific meetings.