Newsletter Highlights
- Message from the President
- EVDI Congress 2025
- IVRA Bernstein Conference Fellowship
- Call for Associate Editors - VRU
- RIVDI
- Media Committee Update
- Diplomate Interview with Lizza Baines
- ESAVS - MRI Neuroimaging
- RESPOND Survey
- Request for knee joint tomography in French Bulldog breeds
- Dates for the Diary
Message from the President
The recent EVDI conference and with that the College AGM for this year are passed us. Thanks are due to all who were involved in the conference, all the delegates who participated and all who contributed to the AGM, College diplomates, committee chairs and members. For me I was was also fortunate enough to attend the ACVR congress in Washington DC, invited as a guest of ACVR to represent you as I joined their Council meeting and the scientific conference that followed. I am very grateful to the Council members of ACVR for looking after me so well and for the welcome I received from them on your behalf.
With those events in mind there are many items to report, and I include some here.
The new College Grants were conceived and approved at the 2024 AGM and announced in the lead up to this year’s AGM. The deadline for applications has just passed and there was great interest in the grant with many applications received. The committee set up to handle the grant process will now evaluate these so that awards can be made. The good management of our Treasurer has positioned the College so that we have an income from our capital and I am glad that this can be used to further the aims of the College.
The Media Committee was happy to receive images for our conference in Sitges. This allows them to publish and share the event with as many members as possible. Our media committee relies on material submitted by the membership. Our website uses a shared platform with EBVS but we can make it more our own by interacting and contributing to it. The media committee is always happy to receive material for potential content.
The conference forum session this year focused on some of the future trends we can expect to see in our College. The discussion focused on the present number of Diplomates the number we add each year. How the College can serve this predicted development in ways that maintain the current high level we enjoy in administrative support, residency supervision and certification standards is a question that will exercise us. The session provided an insight into how members of the College are thinking. Time was short and there may be more to be said on the matter. To this end if you want to contribute to the open discussion, please see the Forum on the College web page. Alternatively contact Catherine Barclay giving your view. If we find sufficient interest as promised, we can take this further in the form of a Zoom meeting. The slides from the session can be viewed at the following link: https://www.ecvdi.org/news/sitges-forum-slides
With the start of November as the application deadline to take College exams has passed, thoughts of the College examinations will be on the minds of many. Some changes prompted by the JTA to the balance of cases were discussed at the AGM. Some minor changes to guidelines will be available to the examination committees in 2026 as they prepare the examinations, These changes are quite minor, but it is important that residency directors are aware and are watchful for communications from the exam director.
Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound, our official journal continues to receive, give peer review and from the authors’ perspective hopefully publish our research in our specialty in all its forms. The journal needs associate editors and our College has reserved seats on the editorial board. It is important that we contribute fully to the journal, it is part of our identity. If you are of a mind to contribute or curious to know more of what it means to contribute, contact Catherine Barclay who will pass your interest to the College Selection committee.
Please take the time to read this newsletter. There are announcements about support for attendance at the upcoming IVRA meeting, calls for research collaboration and more.
Finally I would like to extend a special thank you to Veerle Volckaert who has stepped down as the ECVDI Secretary after five years and welcome Sumari Dancer who has taken over the role.
Fintan McEvoy
President, ECVDI
EVDI Congress 2025
The EVDI Congress was held in the beautiful coastal town of Sitges, near Barcelona, from 17 to 20 September 2025. The venue, Hotel Meliá Sitges, offered an excellent setting for both the scientific sessions and the social programme. The organization was outstanding, the meals were delicious, and the atmosphere throughout the congress was both collegial and inspiring. We were also fortunate to enjoy warm and sunny weather, which added to the charm of the event.
Scientific Programme
The congress featured a rich and diverse scientific programme, with keynote lectures, masterclasses, and oral abstract presentations covering a wide range of species and imaging modalities. Highlights included sessions on equine and small animal eye imaging, advances in MRI technology, diagnostic imaging in exotic species, and the clinical applications of contrast studies. The level of expertise shared by the speakers, combined with active discussions, made the scientific sessions highly valuable for all participants.
Social Programme
Equally memorable were the evening events, which provided opportunities for networking and relaxation in spectacular settings:
- Welcome Reception at Hotel Meliá Sitges on Wednesday evening, where participants reunited with colleagues and friends over drinks and canapés.
- Vet’s Choice Radiology Soirée at the historic Finca Mas Solers on Friday evening, a lively event with food, drinks, dancing, a fantastic DJ, and a wonderful flamenco dance performance that created an unforgettable Spanish atmosphere.
- The Gala Dinner & Dance Party at the stunning Caves Codorníu on Saturday evening, which combined Spanish gastronomy, cava tasting, and a festive atmosphere, making it a perfect closing to the congress.
Excursions & Networking
The excursions were also very well organized, offering participants the chance to discover the cultural and natural beauty of Sitges and its surroundings. Combined with the informal exchanges during breaks and social activities, these moments reinforced the strong sense of community within the veterinary diagnostic imaging field.
Conclusion
This year’s congress was a true success, bringing together experts and colleagues from across Europe and beyond in a setting that perfectly balanced scientific excellence and social enjoyment. Sitges, with its seaside charm, welcoming atmosphere, and superb organization, proved to be an ideal location for the EVDI 2025 Congress.
Award winners:
Best POSTER:
EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS IODINE CONTAINING CONTRAST MEDIA ON URINALYSIS AND URINARY PROTEIN-TO-CREATININE RATIO IN DOGS.
Swann Barthe
Best ORAL:
EFFECT OF RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE IN ABDOMINAL RADIOGRAPHY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SIX COMMERCIAL ARTICIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RADIOLOGY SERVICES
Doris Ma
Best Resident:
ABDOMINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF TICK-BORNE DISEASE
Camille Lesueur
IVRA Bernstein Conference Fellowship
Applications for the next triennial IVRA Bernstein Conference Fellowship are now invited, for the conference in Fukuoka, Japan on 12th to 16th July 2026. This Fellowship was established in 1988 and is named in honour of Dr Michael Bernstein, an Honorary Member and former President of the IVRA. It is designed to assist veterinarians to attend and present a paper at a Scientific Meeting of the Association. Veterinarians should have a special interest in veterinary radiology and be from countries where they have had little previous contact with others in veterinary radiology. It is reasoned that those awarded a Fellowship will take the knowledge gained from the IVRA Meeting and use it to foster the development of radiology in their own country.
Details of the Fellowship are posted in the awards section of the IVRA website (www.ivraimaging.org). Applicants should prepare an abstract for a paper to be given either orally or as a poster at the conference, submitted electronically to the Vice-President, Dr. Ruth Dennis, at ruth.dennis.vet@gmail.com, and to be received no later than 31st December 2025. A maximum of one successful applicant will be from a particular country. The number and value of each Bernstein Conference Travel Fellowship will be determined by the Conference Awards Committee in the light of the total funds approved by the IVRA.
The successful applicants will be notified by the Committee Chairman by 31st January 2026, and the Chairman will also provide the conference organizer and chairperson of the scientific committee with the names of the winners.
Based on IVRA’s previous experience obtaining a VISA, when necessary, to enter the hosting country can be a critical issue, and this often brings delay or even prevents assigning the Fellowship. For this reason, it is important that candidates are aware of starting the paper process very early, and Directors/Supervisors are encouraged to help with this.
Applications for the annual IVRA Educational Scholarship will also be open In December. This award funds the successful applicant(s) in attending an institution in another country for a period to train in diagnostic imaging; further details are given on our website which will be updated in due course.
Associate Editors - Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound (Open Positions)
Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound is accepting applications for three (3) Tier 1 and one (1) Tier 2 Associate Editors from the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI). ECVDI Diplomates with vast imaging research experience and/or individuals with scientific journal editorial experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
The VRU Associate Editors have 6-year, renewable terms of appointment that are subject to approval by the ACVR Executive Council. In addition to serving as reviewers for manuscripts and judges for the ACVR Resident Author Award, VRU Associate Editors are actively engaged in decision-making for all Journal policies and procedures.
Summary of responsibilities:
'Tier 1' Associate Editor is assigned an average of 1 new paper every month to every other month based on topic frequency submitted to VRU. Aim for 10-15 manuscripts per year. Providing reviews for original research and review manuscripts. Occasional imaging diagnosis or short communication as needed. Manuscripts will be selected based on matching up clinical interests.
‘Tier 2’ Associate Editor is assigned an average of 1 new paper every month. The role is no longer focused on providing primary reviews but invite peer reviewers, evaluate their input, and provide an AE decision for new and revised submissions. When having difficulty finding a reviewer, Tier 2 AE can provide a primary reviews.
Please contact the VRU Editor-in-Chief (Catherine can provide contact details) with any questions you may have about the Associate Editor positions.
Interested individuals can submit your interest along with a short CV to adminecvdi@ecvdi.eu.
RIVDI
RIVDI Mock Board - Paris 2025
The 2025 ECVDI Mock Board Practical Exam is scheduled for 8th & 9th November 2025 and is to be held at the Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon. The RIVDI committee has offered this opportunity to all 76 ECVDI residents who have passed their Theoretical Exam regardless of whether they intend to sit the Practical Exam in January 2026.
The Mock Board is funded by our generous RIVDI sponsors Idexx Telemedicine and Vets Choice Radiology. We look forward to welcoming 59 residents to this event to face some exciting and challenging exam cases.
RIVDI for Diplomates
The next RIVDI SA DIPLOMATE session is scheduled for Wednesday 26th November 2025 at 20:00 (London time) and is presented by Fraser McConnell.
Cases for this RIVDI session will be available shortly and you will receive an invitation with the zoom link, the RIVDI committee hope to see many Diplomates there!
We are continually looking for enthusiastic volunteers to offer future Diplomate sessions for either large or small animals. If you would be happy to share 3 interesting cases then RIVDI would really appreciate your participation and support. You could come solo or with 1 or 2 other friends/colleagues to divide the work! Please contact us at rivdi@ecvdi.eu to register your interest or for more information.
Media Committee
Call for Contributions – Blog Writer Wanted!
The Media Committee is looking for a passionate writer to contribute to our upcoming blog section on the ECVDI website. We would love to feature “A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Radiologist” — a short, engaging article that gives readers insight into what a typical day looks like in our profession. This could describe your own daily routine, or that of a colleague, resident or another radiologist whose work inspires you. The writer could be a diplomate or a resident — anyone who enjoys writing, storytelling, and sharing the behind-the-scenes of our field. If you have a talent for words and would like to help us keep the ECVDI website fresh with regular blog updates, we’d love to hear from you! If you’re interested or would like to know more, please get in touch with Catherine adminecvdi@ecvdi.eu.
Diplomate Interview
After a brief pause, we are delighted to resume our ECVDI Newsletter interview series, where we highlight the voices and experiences of those shaping our College community. In this edition, we are pleased to feature Dr. Lizza Baines, who currently serves as Chair of the ECVDI Appeals Committee.
Dr. Baines has been an active and dedicated member of the College, contributing her time and expertise to ensure fairness and integrity within our processes. In this conversation, she shares insights into her role as a radiologist, reflections on her professional journey, and thoughts on the evolving landscape of veterinary diagnostic imaging.
To read more please click on the link:
https://www.ecvdi.org/ecvdi-interview-elizabeth-baines-2025
Upcoming event in MRI Interpretation offered by ESAVS
Intensive Course in MRI Neuroimaging, 19-23 January 2026, Berne (Switzerland)
This course offers an in-depth, case-based exploration of advanced neuroimaging techniques and interpretation, focusing on MRI physics, lesion pattern recognition, and diagnostic approaches to brain and spinal disorders to enhance clinical and diagnostic accuracy.
https://esavs.org/event/neurology-mri-neuroimaging-2026/
RESPOND Survey – Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care in Europe
Jule Gudmundsdottir, ECVECC Resident at the Small Animal Clinic of the University of Bern, is conducting the RESPOND survey (Research on Emergency Services and Practice Of Nighttime and Daytime Veterinary Care) as part of her residency project and dissertation.
The survey aims to provide a comprehensive overview of small animal emergency care across Europe, including veterinary training, organization of emergency services, caseloads, and the psychological impact on veterinarians. The insights gained will help identify challenges, highlight structural issues, and support improvements in emergency veterinary services.
The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary and all responses are confidential.
Take the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L7BQQWB
Request for knee joint tomography for French Bulldog breeds
I am Günay AVCU, a doctoral student in the Department of Surgery at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at ADÜ. As part of my doctoral dissertation, I am conducting research on computed tomography (CT) imaging of the knee joint (including the femur and tibia) in healthy French Bulldogs.
Due to a limited number of cases, I need access to existing CT records of the knee joints in healthy French Bulldogs. In this context, I request your support in reviewing the relevant records at your institution and incorporating them into my scientific study.
My research is conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines, and all data will be used solely for academic purposes.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Günay AVCU
Email: 1920200211@stu.adu.edu.tr
Dates for the Diary
2025
- 7-8 November 2025: EAVDI-BID Autumn Meeting - Winchester, UK
- 8-9 November 2025: RIVDI Mock Board - Paris
- 26 November 2025: Diplomate RIVDI session (Zoom)
2026
- 27-28 January 2026: ECVDI Practical Exam (Zurich, Switzerland)
- 29 January 2026: ECVDI Theoretical Exam (held remotely)
- 12-16 July 2026: IVRA Conference, Japan