It's been almost 50 years since MRI was first used to image a human being, and research into new applications of the modality shows no signs of slowing down. Investigators continue to test MRI's capabilities, with cardiac imaging joining its "traditional" uses such as tracking the brain's functional and structural patterns, identifying musculoskeletal conditions, and finding cancer in soft tissues and organs like the brain and spinal cord, the prostate, the breast, and the liver.
Rest assured: This year's RSNA meeting won't disappoint when it comes to tracing the arc of MRI innovation. Attendees can expect particular focus on the use of AI with the modality, with presenters reporting on everything from how the combination can better identify conditions such as retropharyngeal edema and help clinicians predict athletes' time to return to play to how it shows promise for improving the access and affordability of breast cancer screening.
You'll hear about the benefits of abbreviated breast MRI protocols; the efficacy of low-field imaging (0.55-tesla); the use of the contrast agent gadopiclenol, which appears to allow clinicians to administer a lower gadolinium dose across a variety of studies; and, five years after the COVID pandemic, neuroradiology research on the disease's long-term effects.
The RSNA will also offer special sessions that tackle "hot topics" relating to the modality, such as remote MRI scanning, the impact of whole body disease screening, and how MRI impacts climate change. Educational gatherings will address topics like the pros and cons of MRI elastography versus ultrasound elastography, techniques to reduce MRI exam time, and emerging breast MRI technologies.
For more information on the presentations we're highlighting below and other abstracts, take a look at the RSNA 2025 meeting program.
DL algorithm identifies retropharyngeal edema on MRI neck scans
Sunday, November 30 | 9:30 a.m.-9:40 a.m. | S1-SSHN01-4 | Room E352
In this Sunday morning session, researchers will present findings from a study that showed how deep learning (DL) can improve MRI's ability to identify retropharyngeal edema in patients with acute neck infection -- a condition that may indicate potential for disease progression.
Short MRI protocol comparable to full for finding cancer in BRCA carriers
Sunday, November 30 | 10:30 a.m.-10:40 a.m. | S2-SSBR01-1 | Room S406A
An abbreviated breast MRI protocol appears comparable to a full one for identifying cancer in women with the BRCA gene mutation, according to research to be presented Sunday morning.
Ultrafast MRI parameter time to enhancement better classifies DCIS
Sunday, November 30 | 10:40 a.m.-10:50 a.m. | S2-SSBR01-2 | Room S406A
A multinational team of researchers has found that incorporating the ultrafast MRI parameter time to enhancement, or TTE, into breast MRI exams improves the classification of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) -- thus reducing treatment intensity and allowing for more tailored care.
Adding MRI to a multimodal AI algorithm boosts breast cancer diagnosis
Sunday, November 30 | 11:20 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | S2-SSBR01-6 | Room S406A
Can adding MRI data to a multimodal AI algorithm for breast cancer improve diagnosis and long-term risk assessment? It would seem so, according to a research team led by Laura Heacock, MD, of NYU Langone Health in New York.
AI boosts performance of nonexpert radiologists on prostate MRI
Sunday, November 30 | 2:40 p.m.-2:50 p.m. | S5-SSGU02-2 | Room E353B
AI can increase the accuracy of nonexpert radiologists and decrease interreader variability, according to this presentation.
Gadopiclenol offers lower gadolinium dose for heart disease MRA
Monday, December 1 | 2:00 p.m.-2:10 p.m. | M6-SSCA04-4 | Room E352
Gadopiclenol performs comparably to gadobenate dimeglumine at a lower gadolinium dose for cardiac MRI/MR angiography (MRA), researchers have found.
AI-assisted reporting for knee MRI enhances workflow efficiency
Monday, December 1 | 2:00 p.m.-2:10 p.m. | M6-SSMK03-4 | Room E450A
AI-assisted structured reporting for knee MRI streamlines radiology workflow by decreasing reporting time and cognitive workload, according to research results to be presented Monday afternoon.
Low-field MRI effective for characterizing cystic and solid renal masses
Tuesday, December 2 | 8:30 a.m.-8:40 a.m. | T1-SSPH06-4 | Room S402
In this Tuesday morning session, researchers will share findings that demonstrate the effectiveness of 0.55-tesla MR imaging for characterizing cystic and solid kidney lesions without compromising diagnostic accuracy.
MRI illuminates effects of obesity on cardiac function
Tuesday, December 2 | 10:20 a.m.-10:30 p.m. | T3-SSCA05-6 | Room S502
Cardiac MRI reveals the effects of obesity on heart function, German researchers have found.
Can AI improve access, affordability of MRI breast cancer screening?
Tuesday, December 2 | 3:10 p.m.-3:20 p.m. | T7-SSBR07-2 | Room N228
An AI-based MRI protocol can increase the accessibility and cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening, according to research to be shared on Tuesday afternoon.
AI boosts MRI's ability to predict athletes' time to return to play
Wednesday, December 3 | 10:10 a.m.-10:20 a.m. | W3-SSMK08-5 | Room E450A
In this Wednesday morning session, researchers will share results from a study that explored whether MRI-based classification systems -- augmented by AI -- can improve clinicians' ability to predict time to return to play in professional athletes.
fMRI helps clinicians assess diabetic nephropathy
Wednesday, December 3 | 1:40 p.m.-1:50 p.m. | W6-SSGU05-2 | Room E353B
In this Wednesday afternoon session, researchers will describe how functional MRI (fMRI) allows for noninvasive assessment of diabetic nephropathy by identifying renal histological changes beyond traditional markers.
AI could enhance diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
Thursday, December 4 | 9:30 a.m.-9:40 a.m. | SSNR13-1 | Room N228
In this award-winning presentation, researchers will show how a deep-learning model can be useful in diagnosing multiple sclerosis.
Neurodegeneration after COVID persists
Thursday, December 4 | 2:00 p.m.-2:10 p.m. | R6-SSNR15-4 | Room S406B
The COVID pandemic may appear to be behind us, but for many who contracted the illness, its effects continue, according to research to be presented Thursday afternoon.
