Download Radiologic Nomenclature and Abbreviations

Phyllis Joy Skryd
Manuscript Editor, RSNA Publications
Radiologic Nomenclature and
Abbreviations1
Scientific writers are expected to use generally accepted styles for units of measure, drug names, names of microorganisms, and other scientific terms. As
Edward J. Huth wrote, “Scientific writing
calls for precision as much in naming
things and concepts as in presenting
data” (1). To ensure accuracy and avoid
confusion, consistent terminology must
be used. At RSNA publications, we use a
number of resources to help ensure that
the nomenclature and abbreviations in
RSNA journal articles are the most appropriate.
Style Manuals and Dictionaries
We use our RSNA in-house style manual to help standardize nomenclature
and abbreviations in the field of radiology. We speak with authors, reviewers,
manufacturers, physicists, and other science and medical professionals before we
decide which terms are most accurate.
The AMA Manual of Style (2) contains a
thorough list of nomenclature concerning blood groups, cancer, cardiology,
genetics, immunology, isotopes, organisms, pulmonary and respiratory medicine, and others. We follow their guidelines to allow consistent presentation of
information. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary
(3) is our primary source for medical
word meanings and spelling, and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (4) is
Index term:
Radiology (journal)
Radiology 2001; 218:10 –11
1
From the Radiological Society of North
America, 820 Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook, IL
60523. Address correspondence to the
author (e-mail: [email protected]).
©
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RSNA, 2001
our main source for spelling and usage of
English words.
In RSNA publications, we try to use
radiologic nomenclature that is as accurate and objective as possible. We use
“film” to describe the unexposed film itself and not to refer to an image. We
distinguish between “contrast,” which is
the blackness and whiteness that appears
on an image, and “contrast material” (or
“medium” or “agent”), which is an enhancement agent. We reserve use of “significant” for the statistical and hemodynamic senses and use a synonym (eg,
important, relevant, considerable, substantial) for other meanings. We use “section” to refer to an image and “slice” to
refer to a tissue specimen. In clinical descriptions, we try to replace terms that
may have emotional connotations or
that may be jargon in a certain medical
specialty or geographic location with objective terms that are understood internationally.
Subspecialty Glossaries
It is our goal to use consistent nomenclature and abbreviations in a field to
convey a message that is understood similarly by all readers. Many subspecialty
societies have published glossaries of recommended terminology, and these glossaries are a valuable source of information.
The Nomenclature Committee of the
Fleischner Society has published glossaries for radiography (5) and computed
tomography (CT) (6) of the lungs. The
American College of Radiology (ACR) has
published a glossary of breast imaging
terminology: Breast Imaging Reporting
and Data System, or BI-RADS (7). Use of
the ACR glossary of magnetic resonance
(MR) imaging terms (8) is very helpful to
ensure consistency in the description of
pulse sequences and findings. The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
has also published a glossary of terms
commonly used in the modality (9).
Generic versus Trade Names
When we edit an author’s manuscript,
we use a generic name rather than a trade
name whenever possible to emphasize
the scientific data in our publications and
avoid the appearance of a product promotion or endorsement. We strive to
keep abreast of the changes in generic
names, trade names, and supplier names
and locations. We use various printed
(10,11) and Internet resources and rely
on input from authors to monitor the
manufacturing and ownership changes
that occur quickly and frequently today.
Abbreviations
Overuse of abbreviations can be confusing to the reader. The abbreviations
that are used most often in RSNA publications involve the modalities—for example, CT, MR, US (ultrasonography),
transrectal or transurethral US, SPECT
(single photon emission CT), PET (positron emission tomography), CTAP (CT
during arterial portography). To facilitate
comprehension, we encourage authors to
use only standard abbreviations and to
use them only if the term occurs frequently.
Now that the RSNA journals Radiology
and RadioGraphics are available online,
accuracy in reference citations is essential. For the hyperlinks to work between
the citation in the online article and the
abstract for the cited article, Index Medicus (12) abbreviations for journals must
be used, and all bibliographic information must be accurate.
At RSNA publications, we want to
avoid possible ambiguity and are aided in
doing so with the use of the resources
mentioned in this article.
References
1. Huth EJ. Medical style and format: an international manual for authors, editors,
and publishers. Philadelphia, Pa: ISI,
1987; 126.
2. Iverson C, Flanagin A, Fontanarosa PB, et
al. American Medical Association manual
of style. 9th ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams
& Wilkins, 1998.
3. Stedman’s medical dictionary. 26th ed.
Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins, 1995.
4. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
10th ed. Springfield, Mass: Mirriam-Webster, 1993
5. Tuddenham WJ. Glossary of terms for tho-
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racic radiology: recommendations of the
Nomenclature Committee of the Fleischner
Society. AJR 1984; 143:509–517.
6. Austin JHM, Müller NL, Friedman PJ, et
al. Glossary of terms for CT of the lungs:
recommendations of the Nomenclature
Committee of the Fleischner Society. Radiology 1996; 200:327–331.
7. Kopans DB, D’Orsi CJ, Adler DD, et al.
American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS). Chicago, Ill: American College of
Radiology, 1993.
8. ACR glossary of MR terms. Chicago, Ill:
American College of Radiology.
9.
Recommended ultrasound terminology.
2nd ed. Laurel, Md: American Institute of
Ultrasound in Medicine, 1997.
10. Medical device register. Vols 1 and 2, U.S.
and Canada. Vol 3, International. Stamford, Conn: Medical Device Register. Published annually.
11. USP dictionary of USAN and international drug names. Rockville, Md: U.S.
Pharmacopeia. Published annually.
12. Lindberg DAB, Kotzin S, Mehnert RB, eds.
Index Medicus. Bethesda, Md: National
Library of Medicine, National Institutes
of Health, 1999.
Radiologic Nomenclature and Abbreviations
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