Semmelweis University Hosts the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology Annual Meeting: Advancing Medical Education and International Collaboration in Hungary
Budapest once again stood at the center of European medical imaging as the Hungarian capital hosted the 38th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology (ESHNR). Returning to the city after twenty years, the three-day congress drew specialists from more than twenty countries and doubled as an official ESHNR Refresher Course, combining scientific lectures, case presentations, and themed educational sessions. For Semmelweis University, Hungary’s leading institution in health sciences education, the event reinforced its growing international role in diagnostic imaging, dentistry, and cross-border research cooperation.
If you are considering a future in medicine, dentistry, or diagnostic imaging, this congress offers a clear example of how studying at an internationally engaged university connects students with global expertise. Explore Semmelweis University’s medical and dental programs to see how a Hungarian institution brings world-class knowledge directly to its students.
A Landmark Return for Head and Neck Radiology in Hungary
The congress attracted a broad professional audience: head and neck radiologists, dentomaxillofacial radiologists, radiology specialists and residents, clinicians from related fields, university faculty and researchers, young specialists, students, professional societies, and industry partners from Hungary and abroad. This diversity reflected the interdisciplinary character of modern head and neck imaging, where diagnostic decisions increasingly require close cooperation between radiologists, surgeons, dentists, and oncologists.
Leading the organization were two academics from Semmelweis University: Dr. Adrienn Dobai, Assistant Professor at the Department of Oral Diagnostics, and Dr. Bence Tamás Szabó, Associate Professor and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. Under their guidance, the scientific program addressed the most current questions in the field, from artificial intelligence to photon-counting CT, while creating a professional forum for presenting new findings and initiating international research collaborations.
Why Semmelweis University Matters in Medical Education and Patient Care
The congress was opened by Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector of Semmelweis University, who highlighted the exceptional quality of the speaker lineup, which featured the most distinguished domestic and international experts in head and neck imaging. His remarks placed the event in a wider institutional context: Semmelweis University aims not only to improve its own activities in education, patient care, and scientific innovation, but also to strengthen the role of Hungary and the entire Central European region.
Concrete results support this ambition. The university’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery has expanded steadily, with rising outpatient and inpatient numbers and an increasing complexity of procedures. Following the inauguration of a completely renovated operating suite last year, the department has become one of the largest specialized care facilities of its kind in the country. For students and young physicians, this translates into training in an environment where high patient volumes and advanced technology go hand in hand.
Dr. Merkely also framed the meeting in universal terms: “As you are all well aware, science knows no borders. This is particularly true of the medical and health sciences, where truly pioneering results can be achieved only through international collaboration and, just as importantly, interdisciplinary partnerships.” That principle shaped every aspect of the congress, from the composition of the faculty to the topics on the agenda.
Key Scientific Themes: Artificial Intelligence, Photon-Counting CT, and Advanced Imaging
The professional program, delivered in more than twenty sessions, provided a structured overview of rapid methodological advancements in head and neck imaging. Three themes dominated the discussions.
Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostic Imaging
Artificial intelligence has moved from theory to daily practice in many radiology departments, and the congress devoted significant attention to its practical applications. Speakers examined how machine learning tools can support image interpretation, accelerate workflows, and assist in detecting and characterizing lesions in complex anatomical regions such as the skull base, salivary glands, and deep neck spaces. For clinicians, the central question is no longer whether AI will influence head and neck radiology, but how to integrate it responsibly into clinical decision-making while maintaining patient safety.
Photon-Counting CT and High-Resolution Imaging
Photon-counting CT represents one of the most significant technological advances in computed tomography in recent decades. By converting individual X-ray photons directly into electrical signals, the technology delivers higher spatial resolution at lower radiation doses—advantages that are particularly valuable in the fine bony and soft-tissue structures of the head and neck. Sessions on functional and high-resolution imaging complemented this topic, demonstrating how modern techniques refine the visualization of tumors, inflammation, and post-surgical anatomy.
Oncological Staging, Post-Treatment Imaging, and Patient Safety
Special emphasis was placed on oncological staging and post-treatment imaging, areas where accurate interpretation directly affects therapy decisions and patient outcomes. Presentations also addressed continuous improvements in patient safety, including dose reduction strategies and standardized reporting, reflecting the profession’s commitment to responsible, evidence-based imaging practice.
Dentomaxillofacial Radiology and Clinical Decision-Making
A distinctive feature of the Budapest meeting was the strong representation of dentomaxillofacial radiology. The program examined the relationship between this specialty and clinical decision-making, underlining how imaging findings in the jaws, temporomandibular joint, and surrounding structures shape treatment planning in dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, and oncology.
This focus mirrored the profile of the hosting institution itself. Semmelweis University’s Faculty of Dentistry integrates oral diagnostics and radiology into both its curriculum and clinical services. University speakers at the congress included Dr. Márton Kivovics, Associate Professor at the Department of Dental Public Health, alongside Dr. Dobai and Dr. Szabó, while Dr. Péter Barsi, Honorary Professor at the Department of Neuroradiology, completed the roster—demonstrating the breadth of imaging expertise available within a single institution.
The ESHNR Refresher Course: Advancing Medical Education for Practicing Clinicians
Beyond its role as a scientific congress, the event functioned as an official ESHNR Refresher Course. Thematic educational sessions, case presentations, and scientific lectures gave attending radiologists, residents, and clinicians a structured opportunity to update their knowledge and pursue continuing professional development. Medical education of this kind serves a dual purpose: it consolidates existing skills and introduces practitioners to methods they may not yet encounter in their daily work.
For young specialists, the SHINE program—a dedicated initiative supporting professionals at the start of their careers—offered mentorship-oriented content and networking opportunities. Programs like SHINE matter because early-career radiologists often face a steep learning curve in head and neck imaging, one of the most anatomically complex regions of the human body. Structured guidance from experienced international faculty shortens that curve and builds professional confidence.
International Collaboration as a Foundation for Progress
The breadth of the speaker roster illustrated the global reach of the field. Experts traveled from across Europe—including Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom—as well as from Turkey, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and the United States.
Dr. Soraya Robinson, President of ESHNR, welcomed participants and emphasized that the congress offered opportunities for both professional networking and knowledge sharing, thereby contributing to improvements in the quality of patient care. Her message reinforced the core rationale behind such gatherings: standardized, up-to-date knowledge ultimately reaches patients through better diagnostics and more precise treatment.
The congress presidents noted that the event provided a professional, international forum for faculty, researchers, and students from Semmelweis University, increasing the university’s international visibility in diagnostic imaging and dentistry. Equally important, the meeting created space for presenting new scientific findings and fostering international research collaborations—cooperation that supports research and development and, in turn, advances more accurate diagnostics. Have questions about studying medicine or dentistry in Hungary? Write to us, and we will help you identify the program and pathway that match your goals.
Opportunities for Students, Residents, and Young Specialists
For prospective and current students, congresses of this scale offer lessons that extend well beyond the lecture halls:
- Exposure to frontier topics. Students who follow events such as the ESHNR annual meeting encounter the technologies—artificial intelligence, photon-counting CT, functional imaging—that will define their future professional work.
- Networking across borders. International collaboration begins with personal contact. Universities that host global events give their students direct access to future colleagues, mentors, and research partners.
- Clinically grounded education. Learning in an institution that operates one of the country’s largest specialized head and neck care facilities means theory is consistently anchored in real patient care.
- Early career direction. Refresher courses and dedicated young-professional programs help residents identify subspecialty interests early, from oncological imaging to interventional procedures.
Discover admission requirements and scholarship options for international students in Hungary, and evaluate how a medical education grounded in international collaboration can shape your professional future.
What the Congress Means for Hungary and the Region
Hosting a major European congress is more than a matter of prestige. Events of this kind channel current knowledge into the domestic professional community, raise the profile of Hungarian research groups, and strengthen the country’s position as a regional hub for medical education and health sciences. When Semmelweis University welcomes the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology to Budapest, it signals to students, researchers, and clinical partners worldwide that Hungary participates actively in shaping the future of the discipline.
The emphasis on interdisciplinary partnership also carries a regional message. Central European institutions increasingly compete for international students, research funding, and clinical trials; demonstrated scientific activity and sustained international engagement are decisive factors. The congress showed that Hungarian institutions can both host and contribute to discussions at the highest professional level.
Final Thoughts: Building on Momentum in Head and Neck Radiology
The 38th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology confirmed three points that matter to anyone involved in medicine: technological change in imaging is accelerating, medical education must keep pace through structured refresher training, and international collaboration remains the most reliable route to better patient care. Semmelweis University’s role as host underscored its commitment to all three.
For specialists, the congress delivered practical updates on artificial intelligence, photon-counting CT, oncological staging, and dentomaxillofacial imaging. For students and young professionals, it offered a window into the profession’s future and a reminder that early engagement with the international community pays long-term dividends. For Hungary, the event marked another step in consolidating its reputation within European medical education and research.
Ready to take the next step? Explore our related articles on medical education and research in Hungary, share your questions or experiences in the comments below, and learn more about the academic programs at Semmelweis University that prepare the next generation of physicians, dentists, and imaging specialists.