RSNA 2021 Redefines Radiology in Return to Chicago

OAK BROOK, Ill. . (December 16, 2021) — The Radiological Society of North America’s 107th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting (RSNA 2021), held in Chicago’s McCormick Place from November 28 to December 2, shined a spotlight on imaging research and education in COVID-19 and artificial intelligence (AI) and demonstrated RSNA’s ongoing commitment to improving health care equity for patients and diversity, equity and inclusion in radiology leadership and practice. The meeting’s theme was “Redefining Radiology.”

“After holding the RSNA Annual Meeting virtually in 2020, we were excited to get back to McCormick Place in 2021, and our attendees echoed that sentiment,” said RSNA Executive Director Mark G. Watson. “I am pleased that this year we were able to deliver a safe and productive live meeting experience, as well as a comprehensive virtual program.”

RSNA 2021, the world’s leading radiology forum, featured over 450 educational and science sessions and more than 1,500 education exhibits. Total registration for RSNA 2021 was 29,273. All onsite attendees were required to be fully vaccinated and wear masks in public spaces at McCormick Place.

Popular features like the Image Interpretation Session and Case of the Day offered dynamic experiences for attendees. The rapid-fire “Fast 5” session featured brisk and engaging presentations on how medical insight and research are driving the future of radiology, and a new radiology game show provided a lively and entertaining interactive challenge for both in-person and virtual attendees.

The meeting also offered inspiring plenary sessions and more than 50 scientific presentations, lectures, courses and exhibits on improving health care equity for patients and championing diversity, equity and inclusion in the radiology profession.

“Diversity brings needed perspective to the table,” said RSNA immediate past-president Mary C. Mahoney, M.D., in her President’s Address. “When we have diverse leadership, we ensure that the conversation is not one-sided, that we are not in an echo chamber. We hear new ideas. We see through a different lens.”

COVID-19 continued to be a featured topic, with new research on subjects ranging from diagnosis and management of the disease to the pandemic’s impact on detection and treatment of other illnesses, such as cancer.

AI was also well represented at RSNA 2021, playing a prominent role in hundreds of research papers, courses and education exhibits. Advances in AI technologies were abundant on the technical exhibition floor.

“Artificial intelligence advances will be instrumental in shaping the future of radiology research and practice,” Watson said. “Therefore, we offered our attendees a wealth of AI sessions and numerous AI-focused products and solutions on the exhibit floor.”

RSNA 2021’s Technical Exhibition hosted more than 500 exhibitors—including over 100 first-time RSNA exhibitors—demonstrating the latest medical imaging technologies in CT, MRI, AI, 3D printing, and more.

The Technical Exhibition included the expansive AI Showcase and Theater, as well as the Imaging AI in Practice demonstration, the 3D Printing and Mixed Reality Showcase, Innovation Theater, First-time Exhibitor Pavilion, Educators Row, Recruiters Row and the Virtual Exhibitor Lounge.

The AI Showcase allowed attendees to connect with companies to see the latest in machine learning and AI products and learn more about how to implement these novel applications in their practices.

The AI Theater hosted several engaging presentations, as well as a recognition event for the teams with the top performing models in the RSNA Brain Tumor AI Challenge.

Using clinical scenarios and medical images to show AI tools and health information technology standards in action, the Imaging AI in Practice demonstration illustrated the radiology workflow from imaging examination ordering through reporting and follow-up.

Industry programming at RSNA 2021 included corporate symposia, “lunch and learns,” virtual industry and product presentations, vendor workshops and AI Theater presentations.

Registration is still available for RSNA’s Virtual Meeting, offering 100% of eligible meeting programming with on-demand content through April 30, 2022.

RSNA 2022, RSNA’s 108th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, will take place November 27 to December 1, 2022, in Chicago.