INTRODUCTION

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the ESSR meeting 2026 in Manchester. The Scientific Programme of the ESSR will include sessions by all the Sub-Committees of the Society including sports, tumours, intervention, metabolic diseases, arthritis, young club and ultrasound.  The primary focus of the Congress this year will be on spine and tumours, but all other Musculo-skeletal disorders will also be covered in the Congress.  For the first time, in addition to the usual two simultaneous streams, there will in fact be a third stream in this congress which will cover interesting and niche areas of being a Radiologist including diversity/equality, sustainability, wellness, leadership and how to avoid errors.   

On Thursday, June 18th, there will be four workshops.  The ever-popular ultrasound workshop will this time concentrate on imaging of the nerves which is an exciting area of musculoskeletal radiology.  In addition, there will be workshops on artificial intelligence, spinal intervention and post-op imaging (young club).  In addition, delegates will also have the opportunity to register for the Sports Imaging Workshop organised by the British Society of Skeletal Radiologists at Old Trafford Football Club.   

The European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology always is in favour of collaborations with other Societies.  This year, we expect to invite speakers from America, India, South Korea and other countries to enhance the collaborative nature of this Congress.

The 33st ESSR annual meeting cordially invites representatives of all musculoskeletal related disciplines both members and non-members of our society, to attend the meeting. Young members are especially welcomed. The Young Club of our society will provide an ideal platform for sharing ideas and experiences of different cultures and to network with new colleagues.

Thursday, 18.06.2026
Pre-Congress Day

QUAYS THEATRE + COMPASS ROOM - GROUP A

ULTRASOUND WORKSHOP

  • 8.30 – 8.50
    The ulnar nerve

    8.50 – 9.10
    The median nerve

    9.10 – 9.30
    The radial nerve

    9.30 – 9.50
    Small nerves around the shoulder: suprascapular, axillary and musculocutaneous

  • Interactive Hands-On Teaching with ESSR experts. Participants will be divided into groups.

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 11.40-11.50
    Median neuropathy: the carpal tunnel and beyond

    11.50-12.00
    Post op ultrasound imaging of the median nerve

    12.00-12.10
    Pathology of the radial nerve and its branches

    12.10-12.20
    Entrapment syndromes of the ulnar nerve

    12.20-12.30
    Brachial plexus ultrasonography

    10.30-12.40
    Ultrasound guided management of the carpal tunnel syndrome: evidence, techniques and outcomes

    12.40-12.50
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 13.50-14.10
    Nerve around the pelvis and thigh

    14.10-14.30
    The sciatic and tibial nerve

    14.30-14.50
    The common peroneal nerve/branches and the sural nerve

  • Interactive Hands-On Teaching with ESSR experts. Participants will be divided into groups.

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 16.40-16.50
    Interdigital neuralgia: ultrasound diagnosis of Mortons neuroma and its mimics

    16.50-17.00
    Tibial nerve compression at the tarsal tunnel: ultrasound assessment

    17.00-17.10
    Traumatic nerve lesions: what the surgeon needs to know

    17.10-17.20
    High resolution ultrasound of nerve tumours and differentials

    17.20-17.30
    Landmarks for ultrasound guided lumbar nerve root/spine injections

    17.30-17.40
    Interventional ultrasound guided procedures for chronic neural pain

    17.40-17.50
    Q&A Discussion

QUAYS THEATRE + COMPASS ROOM - GROUP B

  • 8.30 – 8.50
    The ulnar nerve

    8.50 – 9.10
    The median nerve

    9.10 – 9.30
    The radial nerve

    9.30 – 9.50
    Small nerves around the shoulder: suprascapular, axillary and musculocutaneous

  • 10.00-10.10
    Median neuropathy: the carpal tunnel and beyond

    10.10-10.20
    Post op ultrasound imaging of the median nerve

    10.20-10.30
    Pathology of the radial nerve and its branches

    10.30-10.40
    Entrapment syndromes of the ulnar nerve

    10.40-10.50
    Brachial plexus ultrasonography

    10.50-11.00
    Ultrasound guided management of the carpal tunnel syndrome: evidence, techniques and outcomes

    11.00-11.10
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • Interactive Hands-On Teaching with ESSR experts. Participants will be divided into groups.

  • 13.50-14.10
    Nerve around the pelvis and thigh

    14.10-14.30
    The sciatic and tibial nerve

    14.30-14.50
    The common personal/branches and the sural nerve

  • 15.00-15.10
    Interdigital neuralgia: ultrasound diagnosis of Mortons neuroma and its mimics

    15.10-15.20
    Tibial nerve compression at the tarsal tunnel: ultrasound assessment

    15.20-15.30
    Traumatic nerve lesions: what the surgeon needs to know

    15.30-15.40
    High resolution ultrasound of nerve tumours and differentials

    15.40 -15.50
    Landmarks for ultrasound guided lumbar nerve root/spine injections

    15.50 -16.00
    Interventional ultrasound guided procedures for chronic neural pain

    16.00-16.10
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • Interactive Hands-On Teaching with ESSR experts. Participants will be divided into groups.

  • Produktbeschreibung

ATTENTION: The Ultrasound Workshop, including the Hands-On sessions, is highly popular and places fill up quickly. Make sure to secure your spot early!

STUDIO 1

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WORKSHOP

  • Assessing AI Solutions: More Than Diagnostic Accuracy

    AI Investment: Is It Worth It? Measuring Cost-Effectiveness

    Beyond Costs: Assessing the Broader Value of AI in MSK imaging

    Monitoring Performance After Deployment

    AI Footprint: the positive and negative environmental impacts

    Round table discussion including experts and industry partners

POST-OPERATIVE IMAGING WORKSHOP - MASTERCLASS ON HIP AND KNEE

  • Short lectures on radiographs and cross sectional imaging by surgeon and radiology experts followed by detailed carefully selected case-based discussions under the guidance of the experts, to cover all aspects of post-operative imaging assessment.

    Dr. Rob Banerjee, Complex Hip and Knee Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oswestry/ UK
    Prof. Reto Sutter, Chief of Radiology, Balgrist university Hospital, Zurich/Switzerland

    14.00-15.15
    Knee

    • Radiographs (14.00-14.15)
      Mr. Rob Banerjee

    • Cross sectional Imaging (14.15-14.30)
      Prof. Reto Sutter

    • Cases (Young Club) (14.30 - 15.15)
      All faculty members

    Break

    15.35-17.00
    Hip

    • Radiographs (15.35-15.50)

      Mr. Rob Banerjee

    • Cross sectional Imaging (15.50-16.05)

      Prof. Reto Sutter

    • Cases (Young Club)

      (16.05 - 17.00)

      All faculty members

STUDIO 2&3

  • 13:25 Introduction

    13:30 Basic principles of spinal intervention

    13.50 Spondylodiscitis

    14.10 SIJ pain

    14.30 Posterior column pain treatments

    14.50 Anterior column treatment and BVNA

    15.10 Electrochemotherapy for spinal metastases

    15.30 Break

    15.50 Hands on with radiation free spinal intervention simulators / Faculty Q&A

    17.00 End

SPINAL INTERVENTION WORKSHOP

BSSR Workshop

SPORT SESSION ON 'CORE INJURIES'

  • 14.00-14.20 Breaking Point: Iliac Crest Apophyseal Injuries in the Young Athlete
    When growing bones meet elite performance.

    14.20-14.40 Unravelling the Sporting Groin: PLAC, Pubic Symphysis & Beyond
    From pain patterns to precision imaging.

    14.40-15.00 Ribs Under Pressure: Imaging Rib and Intercostal Injuries in Athletes
    When every breath hurts – catching the subtle fractures.

    15.00-15.20 Twist and Shout: Oblique Muscle and Side Strain Injuries
    Diagnosing torque-related tears with confidence.

    15.20-15.40 Trapped Nerves and Hidden Pain: Thoracoabdominal Nerve Impingement Syndromes
    When the scan looks normal but the athlete can’t perform.

    15.40-15.55 Coffee/Tea break

    15.55-16.15 Rectus Abdominis Injuries: More Than Just a Six-Pack Problem
    Peeling back the layers of the athlete’s core.

    16.15-16.35 Epigastric stitch on the pitch: Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome in athletes
    What’s causing exercise-induced abdominal pain, nausea, bloating?

    16.35-16.55 Power and Tear: Pectoralis Major Injuries in Athletes
    When strength meets failure – imaging the spectrum from subtle strains to complete tendon ruptures.

    16.55-17.15 Ultrasound-Guided Sports Interventions: What’s Hot and What’s Next
    Cutting-edge image-guided management of athletic injuries.

    This workshop is organised by BRRS and ESSR delegates wishing to attend the BSSR 2026 Sports session on 'Core Injuries' can register at a discounted rate on their website. The workshop is held at Old Trafford Stadium.

    The ticket includes refreshments and stadium tour.

    There is a ticket option for friends and family of BSSR or ESSR delegates who wish to attend the stadium tour.

    Register via BSSR Website

Friday, 19.06.2026

LYRIC THEATRE

  • Welcome from Society President & Congress President

    Honorary Ceremony

  • 09.00-09.15
    What Will Radiologists Actually Do in 10 Years?

    09.15-09.30
    Advanced imaging techniques: Quantitative imaging and biomarkers

    09.30-09.45
    How research may impact musculoskeletal imaging in the future

    09.45-10.00
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 10.30-10.45
    Zero echo time MRI of the spine
    Ustun Aydingoz, Ankara/TR

    10.45-11.00
    Accelerated spine imaging
    Benjamin Fritz, Zurich/CH

    11.00-11.15
    AI in spine image interpretation
    Salvatore Gitto, Milan/IT

    1115-1130
    Opportunistic metabolic assessment on routine spine imaging
    Alberto Bazzocchi, Bologna/IT

    11.30-11.45
    Role of imaging in surgical decision making

    11.45-12.00
    Q&A Discussion

  • 12.00-12.10
    Benign vs. malignant vertebral fractures MRI 

    12.10-12.20
    Modic type 1 end plate changes represent infection - for/against
    Jean Baptiste Pialat, Lyon/FR

    12.20-12.30
    Destructive degenerative disc disease (DDDD)
    Bernhard Tins, Oswestry/UK

    12.30-12.40
    Disc related epidural haematoma
    Jaspreet Singh, Oswestry/UK

    12.40-12.50
    Atypical haemangiomas - tips for imaging diagnosis and differentiation from other entities
    Thillainayagam Muthukumar, London/UK

    12.50-13.00
    Diagnosing  Benign notochordal cell tumour (BNCT) with confidence
    Radhesh Lalam, Oswestry/UK

    13.00-13.10
    Post op imaging - when should I think of infection?

    13.10-13.20
    Evidence for/against Vertebroplasty
    Thomas Le Corroller, Marseille/FR

    13.20-13.30
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 14.30-14.45
    Post-operative Spine Imaging: MRI and CT - Technical Essentials
    Reto Sutter, Zurich/CH

    14.45-15.00
    Normal post-operative spine
    Richard Fawcett, Knaresborough/UK

    15.00-15.15
    Complications - uninstrumented spine
    Antoine Feydy, Paris/FR

    15.15-15.30
    Complications - instrumented spine
    Jung-Ah Choi, Gyeonggi-do, KR

    15.30-15.45
    What do I worry about after operating and what do I want the radiologist to tell me - surgical perspective

    15.45-16.00
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 16.30-16.45
    Clearing the spine in acute trauma
    Apostolos Karantanas, Heraklion/GR

    16.45-17.00
    Thoracolumbar fractures
    Yaron Berkowitz, Oxford/UK

    17.00-17.15
    Do we need to classify?
    Veda Avula, Darlington/UK

    17.15-17.30
    Spine trauma in children
    Fern Whittam, Leeds/UK

    17.30-17.45
    Sports related stress lesions in the lumbar spine

    17.45-18.00
    Discussion

    ‍ ‍

QUAYS THEATRE

  • 10.30-10.50
    Harry Genant Memorial Lecture: Silent Vertebral Compression Fractures (UK Biobank study of prevalence and associations)
    David Wilson, Oxford/UK

    10.50-11.05
    Ultrasound techniques in the assessment of bone status

    11.05-11.20
    Metabolic Marrow Disorders
    Nuran Sabir, Denizli/TR

    11.20-11.35
    Sports and metabolic bone disease
    Maria Pilar Aparisi Gómez, Auckland/NZ

    11.35-11.50
    Current state and challenges on opportunistic image of the muscle
    Violeta Vasilevska Nikodinovska, Skopje/MK

    11.50-12.00
    Q&A Discussion

  • Paediatric musculoskeletal infections: from diagnosis to post-operative care

    12.00-12.10
    A Clinical Perspective: symptoms and signs
    Thomas Renson, Ghent/BE

    12.10-12.20
    Radiographic Clues
    Matina Boitsios, Meise/BE

    12.20-12.30
    Spot the US findings
    Emilio Inarejos Clemente, Barcelona/ES

    12.30-12.40
    What MRI Reveals
    Chiara Giraudo, Padova/IT

    12.40-12.50
    Inflammatory differentials
    Flavia Menegotto, Bristol/UK

    12.50-13.00
    Oncological differentials
    Nele Herregods, Ghent/BE

    13.00-13.10
    Therapeutic options: an overview

    13.10-13.20
    Interpreting Post-Operative Imaging Findings
    Saira Haque, London/UK

    13.20-13.30
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 14.30-14.40
    Are there any features of chondrosarcoma grade 2 or higher in this cartilage tumour?
    Koenraad Verstraete, Brugge/BE

    14.40-14.50
    Is it an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) or a different tumour with ABC-like changes?
    Tiziana Robba, Turin/IT 

    14.50-15.00
    An incidental sclerotic lesion - should I be worried?

    15.00-15.10
    Does this sarcoma invade the adjacent joint, muscles and neurovascular bundles?
    Neha Nischal, New Delhi/IN

    15.10-15.20
    Is it a lipoma with fat necrosis or a liposarcoma? 
    Emine Remide Arkun, Izmir/TR

    15.20-15.30
    Cystic-like soft-tissue lesions: benign or suspicious for malignancy?
    Harun Gupta, Leeds/UK

    15.30-15.40
    Is it a haematoma or a sarcoma with haemorrhage? 
    Filip Vanhoenacker, Antwerp/BE

    15.40-15.50
    When is intravenous contrast necessary for evaluating bone and soft-tissue tumours?
    Kirsten van Langevelde, Amsterdam/NL

    15.50-16.00
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 16.30-16.40
    DTI in muscle imaging. Is it helpful?

    16.40-16.50
    Injectables in Sports imaging: where do we stand and what’s the evidence? 
    Gina Allen, Oxford/UK

    16:50-17:00
    Incidental findings in sports injury imaging
    Maria Tzalonikou, Athens/GR

    17.00-17.10
    Injuries in the young athlete
    Guillaume Bierry, Strasbourg/FR

    17.10-17.20
    The female athlete: how do they differ from men?  

    17.20-17.30
    Diagnostics and management of chronic exertional compartment syndrome
    Stefano Fusco, Milan/IT

    17.30-17.40
    ACL tear in young athlete. Repair or not? 
    Anagha Parkar, Bergen/NO

    17.40-17.50
    Imaging athletes after cartilage repair
    Marco Curti, Lugano/CH

    17.50-1800
    Q&A Discussion

STUDIO 1

  • Teleradiology: global freedom or economic enchantment?  

    10.30-10.40
    Welcome by ESSR President Philip Robinson

    10.40-11.00 
    Introduction

    11.00-12.00
    Round table discussion

  • TBA

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • TBA

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • TBA

Saturday, 20.06.2026

LYRIC THEATRE

  • 08.00 -08.20
    My 10 house rules for diagnosing bone tumours
    Klaus Woertler, Munich/DE

    08.20-08.35
    Are advanced MRI sequences clinically worthwhile, or do they add complexity without altering management?
    Kai Vilanova, Girona/ES

    08.35-08.50
    MRI in Bone marrow assessment
    Frederic Lecouvet, Brussels/BE

    08.50-09.05
    Post operative imaging: recurrence and complications
    Giacomo Aringhieri, Pisa/IT

    09.05-09.20
    The 2026 ESSR Consensus statements on bone tumours
    Simranjeet Kaur, Oswestry/UK

    09.20-09.30
    Q&A Discussion

  • 09.30-09.45
    Ultrasound and MRI, how should we use them
    Philip Robinson, Leeds/UK

    09.45-10.00
    An approach to MRI differential diagnosis in soft tissue tumours
    Tuba Sanal, Ankara/TR

    10.00-10.15
    Ultra-high T1 and ultra-low T2 lesions on MRI
    Raj Chari, Oxford/UK

    10.15-10.30
    Distant staging in sarcoma

    10.30-10.45
    My biggest mistakes-lessons learnt
    Michele Calleja, Edgware/UK

    10.45-11.00
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • Round Table

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 14.00-14.10
    About MSS

    14.10-14.25
    From roots to cords - A Brachial plexus story

    14.25-14.40
    Untangling the Lumbar plexus

    14.40-14.55
    Peripheral nerves - signal to symptoms

    14.55-15.00
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • Organizers:
    Victor Pullicino, Rick Whitehouse

  • *For active members 2026 only

QUAYS THEATRE

  • 08.00-08.15 
    Anatomical consideration for spinal interventions
    Ramy Mansour, Oxford/UK

    08.15-08.30
    Degenerative spine: when and how to treat
    Francesco Arrigoni, L'Aquila/IT

    08.30-08.45
    Ultrasound guided interventions for lower back ache
    Gaurav Kant Sharma, Jaipur/IN

    08.45-09.00
    Exploring strategies for managing vertebral metastases
    Claudio Pusceddu, Cagliari/IT  

    09.00-09.15
    CT-Guided Transfacet Screw Fixation: A Minimally Invasive Solution for Postoperative Spinal Instabilit

    09.15-09.30
    Q&A Discussion

  • 09.30-09.45
    Classification in muscle injury - How, when and which?

    09.45-10.00
    Nerve entrapments in the upper limb

    10.00-10.15
    FAI since the Lisbon agreement in 2019 - What’s new?

    10.15-10.30
    BMEP as a guide through the injured knee

    10.30-10.45
    TBA

    10.45-11.00
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • 11.30-11.40
    Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hands: Basics of Imaging

    11.40-11.50
    Advanced Imaging Techniques for Quantification of Inflammation in Arthritis

    11.50-12.00
    Deep Learning in Rheumatoid Hand Arthritis: A New Era in Imaging?

    12.00-12.10
    From Old to New: Current Best Practices in Imaging Gout

    12.10-12.20
    Spondyloarthritis: Are Our Imaging Protocols Up to Date?

    12.20-12.30
    Structural Lesions in Sacroiliac Joints: Is MRI Alone Enough with CT-like Capabilities

    12.30-12.40
    Unraveling Chest Wall Inflammations: The Role of Imaging

    12.40-12.50
    Imaging Autoinflammatory Diseases: CRMO, SAPHO, and Beyond?

    12.50-13.00
    Q&A Discussion

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • TBA

STUDIO 1

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

  • Chat with Colleagues and Visit our Partners

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Spine:

  • To understand the current concepts, new technologies and their applications in spine

  • To discuss the impact of accelerated imaging, low echo MRI imaging, AI applications

  • To increase awareness of unusual and often unknown spinal conditions such as BNCT, destructive disc disease, epidural haematoma

  • To improve knowledge on imaging in post operative spine and spinal trauma 

Tumours:

  • To learn about important rules for diagnosing bone and soft tissue tumours

  • To learn about latest advances in MRI imaging in tumours including assessment of recurrence and complications

  • To discuss the ESSR consensus project on bone tumours

  • To review the ideal working partnerships of a tumour multidisciplinary board

Ultrasound workshop:

  • To review normal anatomy of various upper and lower limb nerves

  • To learn about the common pathologies affecting the nerves

  • To understand the role of ultrasound in the context of other imaging modalities in the assessment of nerves

Metabolic, inflammatory and intervention:

  • To learn about the silent vertebral compression fractures

  • To review the various facets of paediatric MSK infections

  • To learn about the various interventional procedures in the spine

  • To understand the current role of advanced imaging and deep learning in inflammatory arthritis

REGISTER HERE