EVENT SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING FREILASSING/SALZBURG, FEBRUARY 22-26, 2024

Despite Lufthansa strikes causing turbulence with arrivals, everyone eventually reached Freilassing safely, albeit with some delays. Neal Bangerter (Imperial College), Mikael Boesen (University of Copenhagen), Akshay Chaudhari (Stanford University), Chris Ladel (4Consulting Darmstadt), and Ali Mobasheri (University of Oulu) turned out to be an incredibly productive and inspiring group. 

Topics for discussion included state-of-the-art and future MRI sequences, automated tissue segmentation using AI- and deep-learning based methods, quantitative methodology for analysis of synovitis, set-up of an “ideal” clinical trial for structure modification in osteoarthritis, and the acceptance of automated measurement methodology and imaging assessments as surrogate endpoints by regulatory agencies. Yet, as in former years, the group was also a lot of fun and enjoyed good company, friendship, restaurants, and great skiing at Leogang, Kitzbühl, and Fieberbrunn ski stations. Something to be certainly repeated.