SCMR Extra-Cardiac Findings Course
December 12, 2026
Location: Online
This course is a one-day, fully virtual educational initiative designed to provide a comprehensive and practical overview of extracardiac findings encountered during cardiac imaging. While cardiac-focused studies are primarily aimed at evaluating cardiovascular structures, a wide range of incidental extracardiac findings may have significant clinical implications. This course aims to systematically address these findings, emphasizing recognition, interpretation, reporting, and appropriate clinical management.
Program: Coming soon!
Course Directors: | |
Dr. Anna Giulia Pavon Early Career Chair |
Dr. Purvi Parwani Education Committee Chair |
Organizing Committee: | |
Dr. Elsie Nguyen Education Committee Vice- Chair | |
Dr. Ming-Yen Ng SCMR Board Liaison |
Prof. Tim Leiner SCMR Senior Leadership EC |
Registration Fees:
This course is $300 for SCMR members and $350 for nonmembers.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Identify the full spectrum of extracardiac findings encountered during cardiac imaging.
- Classify findings by anatomical district (neck, mediastinum, thorax, abdomen, bone).
- Recognize key imaging characteristics of common and clinically relevant findings.
- Understand reporting strategies: when and how to include extracardiac findings in a cardiac report.
- Differentiate benign vs potentially dangerous findings requiring further evaluation.
- Define appropriate diagnostic pathways and follow-up recommendations to avoid underestimation.
Course Stucture:
The course is organized into different anatomical sections. Each session follows a standardized format including:
- Review of normal anatomy and common variants
- Overview of relevant pathologies
- Key imaging features and diagnostic clues
- Reporting recommendations within cardiac imaging studies
- Clinical management pathways and follow-up strategies
- One illustrative case-based discussion
An introductory session will provide context, highlighting the clinical importance and prevalence of extracardiac findings in cardiac imaging.
Faculty:
The faculty will include leading experts from the SCMR, comprising both cardiologists and radiologists, as well as subspecialty imaging experts (e.g., thoracic, musculoskeletal, abdominal). This multidisciplinary approach ensures a comprehensive and clinically integrated perspective.