ARRS to Host Abdominal and Pelvic MR Imaging Symposium in Baltimore

June 15, 2016— ARRS, working in conjunction with its members, will hold the 2016 ARRS Abdominal and Pelvic MR Imaging Symposium Sept. 30–Oct. 1, 2016, at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel in downtown Baltimore. Program hosts are Dr. Fergus Coakley, program director, professor and chair, department of diagnostic radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR; and Dr. Courtney Moreno, associate program director and assistant professor of radiology and director of ultrasound, department of radiology and imaging sciences, Emory University, Atlanta.

“The symposium is designed for all general and subspecialty radiologists whose work involves performing or interpreting MRI of the abdomen and pelvis for gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or other indications,” Coakley said.

The program incorporates practical and cutting-edge reviews given by leading national experts in body MRI across a range of applications, including hepatic imaging, pancreaticobiliary disease, genitourinary disease, gynecology, gastrointestinal conditions, and other hot topics. Talks will be practical, emphasizing real-life clinical scenarios, and will provide tips and tricks to optimize study performance and interpretation.

Faculty scheduled to lecture are among the field’s most distinguished leaders in radiology. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:

• Adnexal Masses: When to Use MRI. Presented by Dr. Liina Poder, associate professor of clinical radiology, department of radiology and biomedical imaging, University of California, San Francisco. Poder’s lecture considers the importance of understanding and mastering of multimodality US/CT/MR imaging of the female pelvis. Poder will provide a case-based approach to adnexal pathology with a management algorithm. The emphasis will be on recognizing obviously benign and malignant characteristics of adnexal lesions as well and confirming the benign nature of complex adnexal processes. Advances in use of MRI and PET/MRI will be discussed in facilitating definitive diagnosis. 
• LI-RADS: MRI Algorithm and Criteria. Dr. Claude Sirlin, professor and vice chair (translational research) of radiology, and director, liver imaging group, University of California, San Diego, will discuss the Liver Imaging and Reporting System (LI-RADS). This is an American College of Radiology initiative to standardize and improve all aspects of liver cancer imaging with the hope of advancing knowledge, improving clinical care, facilitating research, informing clinical practice guidelines and health policy, and ultimately prolonging and improving the lives of the millions of people worldwide with or at risk for developing this fatal malignancy. Sirlin will review the current status and future directions of LI-RADS.
• Learning Important Emerging Techniques Such as MR Guided Prostate Biopsy. According to Coakley, MRI-targeted biopsy of the prostate promises to radically change the current diagnostic approach to prostate cancer, which consists of essentially blind biopsies of standard locations within the prostate. No other cancer is diagnosed like this, and appropriate use of MRI guidance can reduce both overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. Coakley will provide an overview of the current methods of MR guidance, and explain how a multidisciplinary team approach combining urology and radiology expertise can optimize prostate cancer diagnosis.

To learn more about the symposium, visit the ARRS website at www.arrs.org/ and click on the education tab. Media interested in attending the symposium should contact Kim Coghill, ARRS communications manager, at kcoghill@arrs.org.

Founded in 1900, ARRS is the first and oldest radiology society in the United States, and is an international forum for progress in radiology. The Society's mission is to improve health through a community committed to advancing knowledge and skills in radiology. ARRS achieves its mission through an annual scientific and educational meeting, publication of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR) and InPractice magazine, topical symposia and webinars, and print and online educational materials. ARRS is located in Leesburg, VA.