The Division of Experimental Imaging (DEI), University Hospital Frankfurt, had a strong and highly visible presence at the ECR 2026 in Vienna, contributing to multiple scientific sessions, industry collaborations, and international exchanges at the forefront of advanced imaging.
From Innovation to Clinical Reality
A central theme of this year’s ECR was the ongoing transition of photon-counting CT and spectral imaging from technological innovation into clinical routine. The DEI contributed actively to this development by presenting cutting-edge work on quantitative imaging biomarkers, spectral post-processing, and clinical applications in cardiovascular and oncologic imaging.
Our contributions emphasized how virtual monoenergetic imaging, iodine quantification, and virtual non-contrast techniques can enhance diagnostic confidence while enabling more efficient and potentially more cost-effective imaging pathways.
Scientific Contributions and Presentations
Members of the DEI participated in several scientific sessions and expert discussions, presenting ongoing research and novel concepts in:
- Cardiovascular CT, including plaque characterization and functional assessment
- Photon-counting CT applications in thoracic and abdominal imaging
- Quantitative imaging approaches, including iodine mapping and tissue characterization
- Opportunistic imaging biomarkers, such as body composition and metabolic risk assessment
These presentations highlighted the DEI’s focus on translational imaging research, bridging technical innovation with clinically relevant endpoints.
International Collaboration and Exchange
ECR 2026 provided an excellent platform to strengthen existing collaborations and initiate new partnerships with leading academic institutions and industry partners.
The DEI engaged in discussions with international experts on:
- Standardization of spectral CT workflows
- Integration of AI-driven image analysis
- Multicenter study concepts and data harmonization
These interactions are essential to further advance quantitative imaging as a cornerstone of precision medicine.
Industry Engagement and Future Directions
In addition to scientific sessions, the DEI contributed to high-level industry events, including dedicated expert meetings on next-generation CT technologies.
Discussions focused on:
- Clinical integration of photon-counting CT across vendors
- Advanced reconstruction and post-processing techniques
- Future directions of hybrid imaging biomarkers combining morphology, function, and composition
Building on the momentum from Vienna, we will continue to:
- Expand prospective clinical studies
- Develop standardized quantitative imaging pipelines
- Strengthen interdisciplinary and international collaborations
with the goal of further translating imaging innovation into tangible benefits for patient care.
We thank the organizers of ECR 2026 for an inspiring and exceptionally well-organized congress, and all collaborators and partners for the valuable scientific exchange.