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Boston, MA, USA - ISMRM Workshop on Musculoskeletal MRI: New Technical Advances & Unmet Needs
Boston, MA, USA - ISMRM Workshop on Musculoskeletal MRI: New Technical Advances & Unmet Needs
Program & Schedule
15 - 18 September 2026
Note: Full program details will be published on 1 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Log in as a registered attendee to view full details now.

Workshop Overview

This workshop will focus on the technical development and clinical applications of advanced MR imaging for musculoskeletal diseases, including osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and other related joint conditions. The goal of this workshop is to summarize the technological breakthroughs of recent years and examine how recent innovations, their implementation, and clinical translation are enhancing musculoskeletal imaging science and improving practices in radiology, orthopedics, rheumatology, and other clinical fields. The sessions will provide a comprehensive introduction to musculoskeletal diseases, focusing on the clinical needs for accurate diagnosis. Various imaging methods currently used in clinical practice will also be introduced. Advanced imaging techniques—including imaging acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis using artificial intelligence and machine learning—will be discussed. Special imaging methods relevant to musculoskeletal systems, such as short relaxation time imaging, metal imaging, and microstructural imaging, will receive particular attention. Additionally, this workshop will cover new developments in imaging hardware, including high-performance gradients, low to ultrahigh field systems, and PET-MR, along with their applications in musculoskeletal imaging. The workshop will emphasize imaging biomarkers for musculoskeletal diseases and will explore the challenges and opportunities related to the clinical translation of advanced imaging techniques. Furthermore, the workshop will include career development components designed to assist junior researchers in strategizing for funding and building collaborations. The workshop will feature a mixture of invited lectures, selected abstracts for oral presentations, and panel discussions. Research awards will be presented to students and early-stage postdoctoral or physicians who will be selected from the oral and poster presentations.

Target Audience

This workshop is designed to meet the needs of participants having a wide range of research and clinical interests by providing opportunities for learning, collaboration, and scientific exchange. Some of the specific groups of people who would benefit from this workshop are: 1) MRI scientists and engineers who are developing novel approaches for acquiring and analyzing quantitative MRI (qMRI) data from the musculoskeletal (MSK) system; 2) basic and applied scientists who are interested in advancing out understanding of the typical and pathological structure and function of the musculoskeletal system; 3) clinicians, including radiologists and referring providers, who are interested in applying qMRI to the patient care paradigm; and 4) radiology technologists who specialize in performing MRI exams of the musculoskeletal system.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:


  • Identify common musculoskeletal diseases and describe the basic MRI utilized in diagnosing those diseases;
  • Analyze artificial intelligence and machine learning methods applied in musculoskeletal MRI;
  • Explain the unique MRI technique to solve diagnostic challenges in musculoskeletal systems such as cartilage, bone, and other connective tissues;
  • Describe established and emerging imaging biomarkers for musculoskeletal tissues;
  • Identify the new hardware advances and their applications to musculoskeletal diseases; and
  • Analyze the advantages, limitations, and challenges of each advanced imaging technique.

Abstract Submission

Opens: 1 Apr 2026 23:59 UTC Deadline: 10 Jun 2026 23:59 UTC

Start your abstract submission by selecting the type and entering a title. You'll then be able to add all the details.

Workshop Abstract: Abstract submission for this workshop.
0 / 125 characters
Maximum 125 characters - you may change this any time before submission
What happens next?
  1. After entering your title, you'll be directed to the full submission form
  2. You can add co-authors, affiliations, and abstract content
  3. You can save your progress and return later to complete the submission
  4. Once submitted, you'll receive a confirmation email

Organizing Committee

co-chair
Fang Liu, PhD
Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Charlestown, United States of America
co-chair
Rianne Van der Heijden, MD_PhD
Erasmus MC - University Medical Center

Committee Members

Jie Nguyen, MD
Consultants to the Organizing Committee
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States of America
Emily Davidson
Consultants to the Organizing Committee
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Australia
Sydney, Australia
Feliks Kogan, PhD
Organizing Committee
Stanford University
Stanford, United States of America
David Reiter, PhD
Organizing Committee
Emory University
Atlanta, United States of America
Jung-Ah Choi, MD_PhD
Organizing Committee
Hallym University Medical Center
Ek Tan, PhD
Organizing Committee
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, United States of America
Timothy Bray, MD_PhD
Organizing Committee
University College London
London, United Kingdom
Karyn Chappell, PhD
Organizing Committee
University College London
London, United Kingdom
Bruce Damon, PhD
Organizing Committee
Carle Health
Urbana, United States of America

Supporters

The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) acknowledges and thanks its Corporate Members for their continued support of the Society:

Bronze Corporate Members

For Presenters & Attendees

Presentation Submission Guidelines

We strongly recommend uploading your presentation before the workshop (instructions will be emailed to all presenters). If you cannot upload before the deadline, then you must bring your presentation directly to the workshop meeting room on a USB storage device.


On-Site Presentation Computers & Software Provided

  • Internet access is NOT available on presentation computers.
  • The Windows computer will have the latest versions of the following software:
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • The Apple computer will have the latest versions of the following software:
  • MacOS
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Apple Keynote
  • Installation of any additional software will not be permitted.


Loading Your Presentation On-Site

  • It is not possible to load your presentation once your session has begun. Please pre-load your presentation as early as possible.
  • You must use the provided computer at the presenter podium or table. There will be no connection to use your own laptop at the lectern.
  • Power Pitch slides CANNOT be submitted on-site. They must be submitted to the Workshop Manager before the event.
  • There is no speaker ready room.
  • The pre-loaded version does not need to be your final version, as long as you load your final version before your session begins. Draft versions can be loaded and later updated. You can do this simply to test the fonts, animations, and videos, and then bring your final version in before your scheduled time. By loading a draft version, any potential issues can be discovered and corrected prior to presentation.
  • Since editing time will be limited, please ensure that all fonts appear as expected and all sound/video clips are functioning properly. PowerPoint users can EMBED FONT to ensure your text appears as intended. Commercial fonts and Apple system fonts cannot be embedded. It is recommend to avoid these types of fonts.


Slide Presentation Guidelines

Showing Your Presentation

  • The A/V staff will start each presentation.
  • Once the presentation is launched, you will control the presentation from the lectern using a standard computer mouse.
  • The left button will advance to the next slide and start movies.
  • The right button will reverse to the previous slide. (Mac PowerPoint users will bring up a menu when the right mouse button is pressed.)
  • The mouse will also function as a pointer. No laser pointers are provided.
  • The sessions are digitally captured and a laser pointer cannot be recorded.
  • There will not be a keyboard. If you do not want the mouse pointer to disappear during the presentation, please consult the A/V staff when loading.


Preferred Presentation Formatting

  • This workshop will use a high-definition 16:9 format screen (see illustration), which can support a wide screen format.
  • To use the widescreen format, check your PAGE SETUP setting before creating your presentation.
  • Older versions of PowerPoint may have 4:3 as the default setting. Make sure to change this to ON-SCREEN SHOW (16:9) in order to make full use of the presentation screen.
  • Changing this setting after the presentation has been created can cause format issues on slides.
  • A presentation in the 4:3 format can be shown, but there will be black bars on both sides of the image (see example).
  • Video files should be embedded into the presentation. Do not use linked video files.
  • If using a video file for your presentation, it is imperative that it is tested on-site as early as possible to ensure it will play on the provided computers.
  • If a video does not play on the provided computers, it may take hours to fix, if it can be fixed at all.
  • Please note, just changing the file extension does not convert the file. Both free and commercial software is available for that purpose.
  • Set your presentation to Loop Continuously to prevent an accidental ending of recording during capture. This option is found under the SLIDE SHOW -> SETUP SLIDE SHOW menu in PowerPoint.
  • Please REMOVE ALL HYPERLINKS from any web address or e-mail addresses in your presentation. Simply highlight the text and select REMOVE HYPERLINK. An accidental click on a link will interrupt your presentation.


ISMRM Policy Regarding Presentation Slides

Content of CME activities will be restricted to pure science, industry issues, and operation of devices, and should not include any advertising, corporate logos, trade names or a product group message of an ACCME-defined ineligible company.

Presentations must give a balanced view of therapeutic options and use of generic names will contribute to this impartiality. Trade names or company names should only be used if essential. If included, where available trade names from several companies should be used, not just trade names from a single company.

How to Make a Video from Your Slideshow

Presenters can produce videos from their PowerPoint or Keynote slideshows. There are three main requirements for all videos submitted for inclusion in this conference:

Video Resolution: 1280x720 (720p)Video File Format: .MP4 (H.264 codec)Maximum video file size: 325 MB

Tips for Audio Recording:

  • Find a small, quiet space to record in.
  • Turn off loud machines and fans, especially air conditioners and heaters.
  • Avoid spaces with echo. Rooms with bare walls, such as bathrooms and kitchens, often produce noticeable echo.
  • Sound dampening (echo reduction) is easy and can be done with blankets, carpeting, curtains, furniture, and clothing. Soft items hung on a wall are great sound dampeners.
  • A closet full of clothes is a great space for recording.
  • Record yourself with a good headset or external microphone. Position the microphone just to the side of your mouth to reduce "pops" (bursts of air hitting the microphone, such as those produced by the letters p and b).
  • Avoid using a built-in microphone, such as on a laptop computer or webcam.
  • Speak loudly, clearly, and forcefully, as if you were outdoors and speaking to a group. The audience will not want to have to interpret mumbling or quiet speaking, and will lose interest or move on to the next video.
  • Make a brief test recording and review both the sound and picture quality. You may also want to double-check the MP4 format and bit rate before recording the entire presentation. Make adjustments if needed.


Making a Video in Microsoft PowerPoint

How to record narration and timings in PowerPoint: Microsoft Support Article

  • In the menu bar, click File
  • Click Export
  • Click Create a Video
  • In the Presentation Quality drop-down, select Internet Quality (1280 x 720)
  • Click Create Video
  • In the Save As dialog, go to the Save as type box and select "MPEG-4 Video (*.mp4)".
  • Enter a name in the File name box. Be sure to name your file according to the instructions on this website, under the appropriate tab for your presentation type.

For more detailed instructions, please visit Microsoft's website.

Be sure to select your version of PowerPoint from the options above "Save as a video file" to ensure the instructions cover your version of the software.

Making a Video in Apple Keynote

How to record narration and timings in Keynote: Apple Support Article

  • Click on the service menu on top of your screen File → Export To → Movie
  • If you recorded a narration, you can click the Playback pop-up menu, then choose Slideshow Recording. If you want the slides to advance by themselves, you can leave the option Self-Playing.
  • If you choose Self-Playing you can enter the time you want the next slide or build to advance. These timings apply only to click events.
  • On the Resolution drop-down menu, click Custom and enter 1280px x 720px. Be sure to select the H.246 option. This is .mp4 and it is going to work on any device and software.
  • Click Next…
  • Enter a name in the Save As field. Be sure to name your file according to the instructions on this website, under the appropriate tab for your presentation type.
  • To choose where to save the presentation, click the arrow next to the Where pop-up menu, then choose a location in the dialog. For example, it can be on the desktop. The default location Keynote chooses is the Keynote folder on your iCloud.
  • Finally, Click Export.

For more detailed instructions, please visit Apple's website.

Other software that can produce .MP4 files such as Camtasia or Zoom are also acceptable as long as the above file requirements are met.


Traditional Poster Guidelines

A traditional poster presentation combines a visual display on a poster board of the highlights of research with a question-and-answer opportunity. You will be assigned a time period during which you should be present at your poster for discussion and questions. In addition, the poster will be available for viewing by attendees during all hours the workshop is open.

Note: You must print your own poster, and it should be done before you leave for the workshop. Do not expect printing services on-site.

Measurements

Each presenter is assigned a square space with maximum dimensions of 36 inches wide by 36 inches high (approx. 91.44 cm x 91.44 cm). Posters exceeding these measurements (i.e., extending into areas reserved for other posters) may be removed.

Posters will be attached to their spaces with either tape or push-pins, which will be provided at the workshop.

Suggestions for Preparing Scientific Posters

Content
  • The poster should show the full title of your submission.
  • Text should be brief and well organized, presenting only enough data to support your conclusions.
  • The text should make clear the significance of your research.
  • The text should include (most likely as separate elements of the poster) your hypothesis, methods, results, and conclusions.


Design
  • A clear, simple, uncluttered arrangement is the most attractive and the easiest to read.
  • For best legibility, it is suggested that the title lettering be at least 2 inches (5cm) high, with authors' names and affiliations smaller.
  • All lettering should be legible from a distance of approximately 5 feet (1.5m). It is suggested that font size should be at least 24 point, in bold style. The typeface chosen should be a simple and clear one (e.g., Helvetica). Titles should be in all upper case letters. The remainder of the text should be in a combination of upper and lower case letters.
  • Color should be used sparingly, to provide contrast. The featured parts of the poster can be highlighted with warm colors, and the less important parts can be done in cool colors. Some suggestions for color combinations are as follows: Green on white, red on white, black on white, blue on white, white on blue, and white on black.
  • Illustrations should be simple and eye-catching, with unnecessary detail left out. If possible, convert tables to graphic displays. Pie graphs can be used to show parts of a whole, line graphs can be used to show trends or changing relationships, and bar graphs can be used to show volumes.
  • Photos should be enlarged enough to show relevant detail.
  • Standard computer printouts usually are not effective on posters, because the type is too small and the lines are too thin to be seen from a distance.
  • Patient confidentiality must be protected. No names should appear in illustrations.