At the 2026 European Society of Head and Neck Radiology conference in Budapest, researchers presented breakthrough studies on salivary gland perfusion imaging and new evidence suggesting that lateral neck cysts previously called branchial cleft cysts may actually originate from peripheral lymph nodes rather than embryologic remnants.
- Quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging showed feasibility for evaluating focal salivary gland lesions, though time-intensity curves did not correlate with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI findings
- Research on 35 histologically confirmed lateral neck cysts found that 33 contained lymphoid tissue and 30 showed imaging features of peripheral nodal tissue, challenging traditional branchial cleft cyst classification
- MRI-derived volume measurements for neck abscesses predicted ICU admission better than manual diameter measurement (area under curve 0.841 vs 0.816)
- Nearly 500 radiologists from six continents attended the three-day congress featuring 16 European CME credits and specialized sessions in all head and neck imaging subspecialties
- Six candidates achieved fellowship status through the society's diploma examination, and Innsbruck, Austria was confirmed as the 2027 meeting location
Salivary gland perfusion and a fresh look at lateral neck cysts shared the spotlight at the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology’s (ESHNR) annual meeting in Budapest on 10–12 September, taking the top oral presentation prizes. Former society president Tim Beale received the Gold Medal.
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The three-day congress brought all head and neck imaging subspecialties into focus, with a dedicated dentomaxillofacial program on Friday. Parallel lectures in two rooms offered up to 16 European CME credits, alongside an industry exhibition. Participants travelled from Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia and Oceania, Robinson reported.
Joint sessions connected delegates with American head and neck radiologists
DiplomaESHNR
Salivary gland perfusion and neck cyst origins
Dr. Seçil Telli Erdoğan of Region Västerbotten in Umeå, Sweden, took first oral presentation prize for quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging in focal salivary gland lesions.
Eight patients underwent both ultrasound and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. All lesions enhanced on ultrasound, but their time–intensity curves showed no morphological correlation with those obtained from MRI. The analysis was feasible, the authors reported, although its diagnostic performance and complementary value remain under investigation.
Second prize went to Erin Osborn of Glasgow, U.K., whose team asked whether “branchial cleft cysts” need a new name. Of 35 histologically confirmed cysts, 33 contained lymphoid tissue and 30 showed imaging appearances suggesting peripheral nodal tissue. The findings reopened discussion about their origins and terminology without establishing a new classification. Both studies appear in the abstract syllabus.
Recognizing research and educational excellence
Prof. Yeliz Pekçevik of Health Sciences University and İzmir City Hospital in İzmir, Turkey, won the scientific poster prize for arterial spin labelling perfusion imaging to distinguish benign from malignant suprahyoid masses.
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Dr. Anja Bernaerts of ZAS Hospitals in Antwerp, Belgium, received the best published paper award for a prospective study of hydrops MRI in differentiating Ménière’s disease from vestibular migraine.
Dr. Jake E. Cowen of Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, U.K., received the Young Investigator Award for a systematic review and meta-analysis examining vascular loops, vestibulocochlear nerve contact and audiovestibular symptoms. Vanda Halász won the case quiz. Full results can be found on the awards page.
Neck abscess assessment and practical teaching
Research from Turku, Finland, looked beyond abscess diameter to examine whether volume and shape could help predict disease severity.
Among 227 patients with surgically confirmed neck abscesses, MRI-derived volume yielded a higher area under the curve for ICU-admission prediction than manual diameter measurement: 0.841 versus 0.816. Shape measurements also provided prognostic information about prolonged hospitalisation.
Practical teaching drew interest beyond the lecture room. Dr. Caterina Giannitto of Humanitas University in Milan, Italy, reported receiving requests from young radiologists for her final slide to help audit their diffusion-weighted imaging protocols, she wrote in her LinkedIn recap.
Investing in the next generation
For the first time, ESHNR called for donations to expand European School of
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The audience spanned students, trainees, private-practice specialists and hospital radiologists in staff and leadership positions, bringing together experience from clinical practice, research and teaching.
The programme, abstracts and ePosters are available through the congress website.
