Editorial: October 2010

Shortell-Editorial Just a few months ago, our inaugural July issue introduced an innovative concept of a free, web-based publication accessible to readers across the globe through modern media such as iPods and PDAs. In this, our second issue, we continue to develop this concept. By recruiting and reviewing original, relevant research in surgery and radiology, you will find articles that lend themselves to our unique brand of learning. We are proud that our web-based, interactive, real-time instrument is available to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

Long-term success requires adaptation to the trends of the modern era, yet at the same time, should preserve the values, methods, and traditions that have defined and supported the science of medical research and made it a venerable source of knowledge through time. The Journal of Surgical Radiology strictly adheres to this guiding principle. We are striving to take full advantage of new technologies and media to make the time-honored academic, peer review process available to more people in more ways. We continue to maintain the methodologies of rigorous scrutiny of original research and case reports developed over the years, but have recreated the instrument with which we share the material with the reader. It is a fine line to walk. It may appear trendy to promote a glitzy new style of delivering information; yet our content substantiates our commitment to upholding the standards of excellence that our predecessors and peers have developed.

The marriage of technology and academics that defines our journal is beautifully illustrated in “Infrared Thermal Imaging (Thermography) of the Abdomen in Extremely Low Birth-Weight Infants.”¹ The high-resolution images available online make it possible to demonstrate these images in a way that a print journal could never do. “The Use of Radioactive Seed Localization for Non-Palpable Non-Breast Lesions,”² “Splenic Vein Stent Placement for Refractory Gastric Variceal Bleeding”³ and“PET-Guided Biopsy of Isolated Bone Metastasis in GE Junction Adenocarcinoma”⁴ discuss exciting new uses for existing technologies and techniques. And, we share case studies that provide alerts to atypical CT findings; rare sepsis; and the danger of redo surgery. Of course, these are merely highlights; additional articles help the practitioner navigate challenges from the office to the operating room.

As promised, the Journal of Surgical Radiology is truly interactive. Readers are invited and encouraged to comment on every aspect of our publication, communicate with the authors, and circulate information through blogs. As a result, last month’s article on electronic medical records (EMR) generated a good volume of reader reaction.⁵ We hope you find a satisfactory response in “How to Obtain Quality IT Help,”⁶ a column that provides suggestions and cautions regarding the Government’s IT initiative.

It is exciting to consider the possibilities of new innovations and future partnerships and we look forward to sharing some new medical discovery in every issue. Progress requires a solid foundation and our advancement of education and interdisciplinary medicine will remain firmly rooted in the established principles of medical science research.

References

Rice HE, Hollingsworth CL, Bradsher E, Danko ME, Crosby SM, Goldberg RN, Tanaka DT, and Knobel RB. Infrared thermal imaging (thermography) of the abdomen in extremely low birthweight infants. J Surg Radiol. 2010 Oct 1;1(2).
Grotz TE, Tortorelli CL, Degnim AC, Boughey JC, Whaley DH, and Jakub JW. The use of radioactive seed localization for non-palpable non-breast lesions. J Surg Radiol. 2010 Oct 1;1(2).
Hayman AV, Fisher MJ, Ryu RK, Bentrem DJ, Skaro AI, and Omary RA. Splenic Vein Stent Placement For Refractory Gastric Variceal Bleeding. J Surg Radiol. 2010 Oct 1;1(2).
Joseph M, Khandani AH, Clarke JP, and Meyers MO. PET Guided Biopsy of Isolated Bone Metastasis in GE Junction Adenocarcinoma. J Surg Radiol. 2010 Oct 1;1(2).
Shah S. Why MDs Dread EMRs. J Surg Radiol. 2010 Jul 1;1(1).
Shah S. How To Obtain Quality IT Help. J Surg Radiol. 2010 Oct 1;1(2).