The true and the false: pixel-byte syndrome.

The possible use of retouched images for fraudulent purposes in scientific articles, posters, and conferences is not a future but a present possibility (probably already used) that poses serious questions as to the need for additional control mechanisms other than scientific peer quality review in evaluating and accepting articles. We propose the term "pixel-byte syndrome" to illustrate how easy it might be to electronically create a new syndrome for fraudulent purposes. The aim of this article is to stimulate discussion among professionals, add some examples of easy-to-realize frauds and sow the seeds of doubt in the minds of some of the referees of journal articles and the scientific secretariat of congresses in reviewing digitally retouched images.