Abstract

Under-Recognition of Radiologist Contributions in Case Reports of Jaw Lesions

Background: Diagnostic accuracy requires a correlative assessment of clinical, radiographic, and histologic findings. Jaw lesions with rare clinical features, imaging, laboratory, and/or histopathology findings are often communicated to the scientific community in the form of case reports. We have observed case reports of jaw lesions in which a radiographic interpretation frames an important part of the scientific article but radiologists were not identified or recognized as co-authors. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiologists’ recognition in case reports involving jaw lesions. Methods and Materials: The PubMed database was searched for jaw pathology case reports. Inclusion criteria included case reports of jaw lesions containing radiographic images. Exclusion criteria include case reports in which all authors were radiologists; case reports where authors’ affiliation(s) could not be identified, and case reports with a focus on the surgical management of jaw pathology. Results: Of the 250 articles examined, radiologists were listed as co-authors or acknowledged in 18.8% and 0.8% of case reports, respectively. Advanced images were included in 82.2% of the case reports. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and pathologists were authors in 71% and 58% of the case reports, respectively. Conclusion: Radiologists are extremely under-recognized in published case reports of jaw lesions. A fair and honest collaboration between clinicians, radiologists, pathologists, and dental specialists is crucial to serving the scientific community better and enriching the learning experience.

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