Journal highlights

Assessment of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function may help identify increased cardiovascular risk before overt heart failure (HF) develops. Although cardiac MRI is the reference standard for evaluating cardiac structure and function, the population-level prognostic value of cardiac MRI-derived diastolic function metrics has remained unclear.

In a secondary analysis published in Radiology, co-lead authors Adil Mahmood, MBBS, BSc, and Sucharitha Chadalavada, MBBS, BSc, both of Queen Mary University of London and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, and colleagues analyzed 59,416 UK Biobank participants with a median follow-up of six years. The researchers evaluated four cardiac MRI-derived diastolic function markers for their association with incident HF, arrhythmia and all-cause death.

Peak early diastolic longitudinal strain ratio, the ratio of peak early mitral filling rate to peak early diastolic longitudinal strain rate, and maximum left atrial volume were independently associated with incident HF and arrhythmia. The ratio also provided incremental prognostic value beyond LV ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain.

“Cardiac MRI-derived diastolic parameters may facilitate earlier diagnosis and improve treatment response assessment and risk stratification across cardiovascular conditions, including HF with preserved ejection fraction,” the authors write.

Read the full article, “Prognostic Value of Cardiac MRI–derived Diastolic Function for Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes: Insights from UK Biobank.”

Follow the Radiology editor on X @RadiologyEditor.

Updated Terminology for Intrauterine Devices on Ultrasound

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) remain the most common form of long-acting reversible contraception worldwide. Numerous terms are used to describe variant IUD locations on US reports, such as displaced, low-lying and malpositioned. These are frequently misinterpreted by patients and providers alike.

This confusion can have clinical consequences. Current consensus guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) indicate that the greatest risk of unintended pregnancy may result from the unnecessary removal of a nonfundal IUD.

In an article published in RadioGraphics, Jill A. Jones, MD, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, and colleagues propose a simple, consistent lexicon describing IUD location as fundal, nonfundal or partially expelled, with embedded and serosal perforation as optional modifying terms. According to the authors, fundal and nonfundal IUDs, even when embedded, remain adequate for contraception. By contrast, partially expelled devices located below the internal opening of the cervix should be removed because of the risk of inadequate contraception and complete spontaneous expulsion.

“By using a shared lexicon for describing the IUD location when relaying findings to obstetrics and gynecology providers, radiologists can avoid using confusing terms that may lead to unnecessary IUD removal and patient anxiety,” the authors conclude.

Read the full article, “Updated Terminology for Multidisciplinary Management of Intrauterine Devices: A Proposed Lexicon.” This article is also available for CME on EdCentral. 

Follow the RadioGraphics editor on X @RadG_Editor.

Spotting Hepatic Steatosis on Coronary CT Angiography

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic live disease (MASLD) is the most common type of steatotic liver disease worldwide and is linked to coronary artery calcification and adverse cardiovascular events.

In a recent study published in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, Duygu Karahacioglu, MD, Koç University School of Medicine in Istanbul, Türkiye, and colleagues evaluated whether postcontrast liver attenuation at coronary CT angiography (CCTA) can identify moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis in 300 patients.

Attenuation showed high diagnostic performance, with optimal thresholds that decreased as tube potential increased, suggesting that tube potential-specific assessment is needed. Steatosis was also associated with higher coronary artery calcium scores.

“Our findings suggest that opportunistic assessment of hepatic steatosis at routine CCTA may provide additional information for cardiometabolic risk stratification without requiring additional imaging,” the authors conclude.

Read the full article, “Opportunistic Detection of Hepatic Steatosis Using Postcontrast Liver Attenuation on Coronary CT Angiography."

Become an RSNA Peer Reviewer at RSNA 2026

Interested in becoming a peer reviewer? Join RSNA journal editors at RSNA 2026 in Chicago for the inaugural RSNA Journals Reviewer Workshop Tuesday, Dec. 1, 3–4 p.m. Open to all annual meeting attendees, this interactive session will cover the fundamentals of peer review, what makes an effective review, manuscript evaluation criteria and ethical considerations in medical publishing.

Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be invited to serve as reviewers for Radiology and other RSNA journals. No advance registration is required. Simply save the date and attend during RSNA 2026. Check Meeting Central for location details.

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