Radiology

2026 Canadian radiology update: translational advances across subspecialties

This update summarizes Canadian contributions that are translating into clinical practice across abdominal, cardiothoracic, interventional, musculoskeletal, and neuroradiology subspecialties. Key clinical topics include oncologic abdominal imaging, updated contrast hypersensitivity approaches, cardiac MRI and opportunistic cardiovascular risk assessment, and middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma. Interventional radiology highlights include large trials, device translation, and work on access and environmental sustainability. The article emphasizes methodological rigor and an active commitment to moving evidence into practice for Canadian radiology. 1

European neuroimaging use rose ~40%–44% from 2015–2022

Using Eurostat/OECD data from 29 countries, CT exam rates rose 40.8% and MR scan rates rose 43.5% between 2015 and 2022. Scanner availability also increased (CT from 2.3 to 2.68 per 100,000; MR from 1.43 to 2.11 per 100,000), but growth outpaced capacity per scanner. Regional variation was marked: Western Europe had highest absolute utilization and Eastern Europe had largest relative growth. Authors conclude coordinated, evidence-based imaging appropriateness initiatives are needed to support sustainable neuroimaging practice. 2

RAISE-EMR: EMR-randomized pragmatic trial for radial introducer sheath choice

RAISE-EMR randomized 6-French radial introducer sheaths via the EMR to capture physician preference and operational outcomes across three hospitals. Among 1696 eligible patients, 554 (32.7%) were randomized over 37 days, with data and endpoints captured from structured EMR fields. The primary endpoint is a mandated physician satisfaction score within the procedure note to inform supply decisions between sheaths of different acquisition costs. This protocol demonstrates a low-cost pragmatic design for rapid evidence generation to guide catheterization lab inventory choices. 3