PURPOSE: To determine the publication rate of abstracts presented at the scientific meetings of the Korean Radiological Society(KRS) and to compare the contents of publication articles and presentation abstracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1992 and 1996 it was determined whether or not 2457 abstracts presented at meetings of the KRS were published in the Journal of the Society. Publications that matched presentations were identified, and the proportion of abstracts published was calculated. Differences in publication rates between spring and autumn meetings, and between scientific sessions(SS) and scientific exhibitions(SE) were examined. The elapsed time between presentation and publication was recorded. The contents ( authors, title, purpose, materials and methods, results, and conclusion) of abstracts presented at scientific meetings of the KRS were compared with those of articles published in the Journal of the KRS. RESULTS: We found that the mean proportion of abstracts published as articles was 25%. There was a significantly different publication rate between spring and autumn meetings, and between SS and SE. The mean time lapse between presentation and publication was 13.3 months. The mean number of authors was 4.8 in the case of abstracts and 5.8 in the case of articles. Of the 614 articles, 98 (16 %) showed no evidence of a change of first author. Articles were more likely to mention an additional coauthor( 81 % versus 66 % , p < 0.05) when the first author was a resident than when he or she was a staff member. The purpose and conclusion of the studies remained the same in a high percentage of cases (87% for purpose and 71% for conclusion). CONCLUSION: The fact that only 25% of the abstracts presented at scientific meetings of the KRS have been published is one that should be of concern to the investigators involved. It is important that studies undertaken should proceed to the publication stage. though it is recognized that the discrepany in this respect is probably due to factors which are not academic.