The European Congress of Radiology (ECR), the biggest radiological meeting in Europe, will take place from March 3–7, 2011 in Vienna, Austria. With an extensive scientific programme spanning most aspects of imaging, the ECR is a major event that radiologists from all over the world should attend to keep up to date with the latest developments in their field.
Each year, more than 19,000 delegates flock to Vienna from around the world for the ECR; the annual meeting of the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the second largest radiological congress worldwide.
This year, a 26% increase, compared to last year, in submitted paper abstracts for ECR 2011, is a clear indication of the growing significance of the ECR to radiologists across the globe. With delegates already attracted by the congress’s high-quality scientific programme, cutting-edge technical exhibition, exceptional services and reputation for innovation, this year’s novel year-round submission for electronic poster abstracts has provided even more chance for prospective attendees to get directly involved.
“The ECR is a unique opportunity for researchers to present their scientific work and for all of us to share knowledge and experience in sessions from foundation courses to advanced presentations. It is a landmark in our professional lives,” said Prof. Yves Menu from Paris/FR, the ECR 2011 Congress President.
In 2011 the ECR’s scientific programme will offer a wide range of scientific and educational courses to reflect the most important developments in imaging and the role of radiology in healthcare today, including three New Horizons Sessions, three State of the Art Symposia, 14 Special Focus Sessions, 74 Refresher Courses, and a number of innovations.
Two new Categorical Courses will be introduced, on the topics of common pathologies in musculoskeletal MRI and the application of clinical knowledge in imaging decision-making. The latter of these will be the ECR’s first Categorical Course to feature an interactive element, with the final speaker of each session putting the audience to the test via electronic voting pads.
A selection of sessions will also be held in conjunction with other societies, including a Professional Challenges session with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), and a Mini Course that will see the ECR’s first collaboration with the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Both will focus on oncologic imaging, reflecting the ongoing need for cooperation in the fight against cancer.
A new addition to the New Horizons sessions will provide forward-looking delegates with a look at how breast imaging will have evolved by 2025, while Professional Challenges Sessions on radiation and nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, oncology, and teleradiology should pique the interest of every imaging professional.ECR 2011 will also see the return of many previous popular courses, including a Categorical Course on radiology in abdominal emergencies, and Mini Courses on the pancreas, chest radiography, and functional tumour imaging, as well as a variety of interactive teaching sessions and practical workshops.
The popular ‘ESR meets’ programme, which aims to promote the exchange of knowledge and contact between radiologists and industry partners from all over the world, will see contingents from Brazil, France and Iran demonstrating their radiological expertise in their own sessions. A partner medical discipline has also been part of the programme in recent years, and in 2011 the guest will be gastroenterology, represented by the United European Gastroenterology Federation (UEGF), who will ask ‘Optical and Virtual Colonography: Friends or Enemies?’.
Another huge technical exhibition will accompany the congress, with more than 300 exhibitors in the field of medical imaging coming from all over the globe to greet customers old and new and exhibit their products and services in 26,000m2 of floor space.
