MRI is the main diagnostic tool used for the primary staging and treatment stratification of rectal cancer, and also plays a key role in assessing response after neoadjuvant treatment to help select potential candidates for organ-preserving treatments.

In this fully renewed case-based workshop, participants are offered the chance to review more than 100 MRI scans of real-life clinical rectal cancer cases with hands-on feedback from an international faculty of experts. Participants are offered a variety of lectures which include practical tips on how to perform and report MRI for primary staging and restaging, a multidisciplinary perspective from our expert surgeon and radiation oncologist, a future outlook on the role of AI in rectal cancer imaging, and live MDT discussions.

The 2023 workshop is available in two formats which offer the same content but in a different set up, so that participants can choose their preferred way of learning:

1. As a two-day hands-on workshop (‘focused training’), organized on site in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Dec 13-14, 2023)
2. As a ± one month virtual workshop (‘study at your own pace’), including one full-day online kick-off webinar on Dec 15, one month of case-based online training from home, and virtual meet the expert session via Zoom on January 25/26.

Note that the content and case database of this workshop have been completely renewed compared to previous editions. So if you have participated in one of our previous ESGAR rectal imaging workshops (2017-2022), but are looking for an update or refresher course, this course will be just the thing for you!

Target group:

• Senior residents, general radiologists or abdominal radiologists with an interest in abdominal and/or oncologic imaging
• At least some previous experience in reading rectal MRI is recommended

Learning objectives:

• To understand the role of rectal MRI and its impact on treatment planning
• To know how to write a good quality staging and restaging report
• To learn the main pearls and pitfalls of MR image interpretation
• To understand the benefit of modern techniques such as functional imaging and AI
• To know the role and limitations of rectal MRI in the era of organ preservation

The application to the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) has been made.