All content from CIRSE 2024 is now available via the CIRSE Library! CIRSE members and 2024 and 2025 All-Access Pass holders can now enjoy the multifaceted lectures, discussions, and posters on topics encompassing the whole of interventional radiology from last September’s meeting in Lisbon.
To celebrate, members of CIRSE’s Online Education Committee shared their personal must-watch sessions and highlights from CIRSE 2024!
Recommended session: MSK embolization in 2024
Trans-arterial embolization (TAE) has emerged as a promising therapy for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including both degenerative and traumatic diseases. In the context of knee osteoarthritis (OA), there is robust evidence supporting the use of genicular artery embolization (GAE) as an effective part of the therapeutic algorithm for managing knee degenerative disease.
Adding transarterial embolization (TAE) as a treatment option for musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders could significantly impact everyday clinical practice. It could be used in conjunction with traditional treatments to enhance outcomes or offer a less invasive alternative to surgery.
The introduction of TAE for MSK disorders would likely promote a more multidisciplinary approach to treatment, involving interventional radiologists, orthopaedic surgeons, pain specialists, and possibly rheumatologists. This collaboration in turn could lead to more personalized treatment plans and a broader scope of care for patients.
For other musculoskeletal indications, the evidence supporting the use of TAE remains limited and of lower quality. This highlights the need for more high-quality research, including multicenter and ideally randomized controlled trials, to better establish the role of embolization in treating these conditions.
Recommended session: Embolization above the neck
All neuro sessions at CIRSE 2024 were fantastic. A highlight for me was embolization in the head and neck, as this is currently a hot topic with a lot of discussion surrounding it. Embolization of the middle meningeal artery can be a game changer in the interdisciplinary treatment of chronic subdural hematomas and may exceed the already high number of neurointerventions such as mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke. Technical features, anatomical knowledge, and the visualization of dangerous collaterals are basic requirements for successful therapy. All advanced interventionalists interested in neurointerventions are surely eagerly awaiting the increasingly validated data from ongoing studies.
Recommended session: Trauma team and the role of IR
As a full-time interventional radiologist working in a clinical setting, doing night shifts while preparing for the EBIR, I found this session extremely insightful and useful. The presentation by Dr. Giurazza is a technical one on most efficient logistics and work-up for trauma patients. I honestly believe that it could serve as a protocol for every radiologist on call. Also in this session; a talk on the minimal IR “survival kit” from by Dr. Ierardi. I personally will implement some of her tips on IR tools that should be present in every angiosuites, as she made me realize that some of the essentials were missing in mine! Finally, two renowned IR professors spoke about endovascular management of aortic injuries.
I can recommend this session to IR trainees and specialists alike – this knowledge will definitely come in handy during nightshifts!
Recommended session: Making an impact on pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. The risk of death could be reduced through efficient patient pathways; catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) is changing the approach to this life-threatening condition. This session pointed out the importance of being familiar with risk stratification to manage treatment. Interesting cases in which CDT made the difference were shown, and it was made clear that a prompt PE response team is crucial. That’s one of the aspects I am trying to push in my daily practise, along with my colleagues. This session also increased our interest in the expected results of the ongoing studies, because we need more strong evidence on CDT advantages before consolidating its worldwide application. I recommend this session to anyone who is approaching management of acute PE to have a complete overview of current state-of-the-art techniques and to be aware of what we are expecting from ongoing trials. My main takeaway from this session: I am sure that the new results will change literature evidence and consequently guidelines.
Recommended session: Setting up clinical services in IR – open for business
Interventional radiology evolved as a clinical specialty with interventional radiologists offering a unique blend of technical and clinical skills. While the development of our technical skills is quite advanced and well structured, there is a need to learn a lot about IR management, infrastructure, and the organizational aspects of patient management. This session combines all these important topics in a very comprehensive way. Starting with a practical overview and a best practice example, the session continues with practical information on the development of in- and outpatient infrastructure and concludes with strong plea for interdisciplinary collaboration. In-depth knowledge about these aspects of interventional radiology is as important as technical skills. Combined with a clinical mindset, they are key for the evolution of IR into a fully clinical specialty.
Recommended session: Acute bleeding in children: what any IR should know to save a child
The session on “Acute bleeding in children: what any IR should know to save a child” highlighted crucial insights for managing life-threatening haemorrhage in children. The key takeaways included the importance of understanding the unique anatomical and physiological differences in paediatric patients, as well as mastering minimally invasive IR treatments that can effectively control bleeding in emergencies. Emphasis was also placed on rapid diagnosis using advanced imaging and the critical role of multidisciplinary collaboration in ensuring optimal outcomes.
This session can have a significant impact on practice by enhancing preparedness and offering a structured approach to handling paediatric haemorrhage. The knowledge gained can streamline decision-making during emergencies, improving both procedural outcomes and patient survival rates.
This session is highly recommended for interventional radiologists, but also paediatric surgeons, emergency paediatricians, and paediatric intensivists involved in acute care. Looking forward, advancements in paediatric-specific devices and imaging technologies will continue to refine treatment approaches, making this a dynamic and essential field for ongoing education.
Recommended session: Endovascular treatment of erectile dysfunction
For many years, I have worked on endovascular treatment of erectile dysfunction in close collaboration with my urological partner, who also strongly supports prostate artery embolization.
Until now, only the arterial problems with PTA/DEB PTA and DES implantation were part of my routine work. Following the talks of the four speakers in the session about endovascular treatment of erectile dysfunction, I’ve noted that the venous part of that problem is also very important and should not be forgotten, and I will work on that in the future.
Moreover, the speakers pointed out that erectile dysfunction as a first symptom of general cardiovascular disease is also a very important part of this topic that almost nobody talks about. There is very little awareness of this fact in the cardiological world. For that reason, IRs might play an important role in improving the understanding of erectile dysfunction, its treatment possibilities, and the impact on the general health of male patients.
Recommended sessions: IDEAS 2024
My CIRSE 2024 highlight? The entire IDEAS programme! The 2024 Interdisciplinary Endovascular Aortic Symposium was a good reflection of multidisciplinary collaboration between IR, vascular surgery and other physicians working in aortic treatment. The case-based discussions (my worst endovascular cases and most amazing bail-out in endovascular procedures) and expert round table discussions were attended by many attendees from all over the world. In the course of the two days, the open and engaging discussions allowed interaction between various experts and showed advancements and controversies in aortic care with the emphasis on endovascular approaches.
I look forward to next year’s IDEAS with an inspiring faculty whose expertise and enthusiasm will make it another success and appealing to all physicians working in or interested in aortic treatment.
Content from all CIRSE congresses is available in the CIRSE Library twelve weeks after the event. Want instant access next time? The 2025 All-Access Pass is already available! This pass is your ticket to full digital access to ECIO, ET, and CIRSE 2025, as well as the CIRSE Library and CIRSE Academy. Additionally, pass holders enjoy strongly reduced onsite fees for all CIRSE congresses. Get all of your continued online education in 2025 for one small fee today via the link below!
