The First International Photon-Counting CT Congress
A Global Debut in Rotterdam
From January 9–11, 2025, Erasmus MC hosted the first-ever international Photon-Counting CT (PCCT) Congress, bringing together nearly 300 radiologists, physicists, researchers, and industry experts from around the world to Rotterdam.
Day one focused on the fundamentals. Prof. Cynthia McCollough (Mayo Clinic, USA) introduced the technical aspects of PCCT, followed by clinical use cases like Dr. Iris Grunwald’s (UK) mobile PCCT in stroke intervention. Dr. Tilman Emrich (Germany) shared cardiovascular data showing reduced referrals to the cath lab due to improved image clarity.
Day two addressed implementation. Sessions covered data reconstruction, workflow integration, and how to prepare institutions for PCCT adoption. Dr. Geoffrey Rubin (USA) outlined how to build a business case for PCCT, while Erasmus MC experts discussed training and operational readiness.
A highlight was the audience award, won by Lion Stammer (Maastricht UMC+) for her work on reducing contrast dose in abdominal imaging.
On both days, panel discussions explored the greatest value of PCCT: is it the spectral capabilities or the sharper resolution? The consensus: both are powerful but clinical context should guide their use. Experts emphasized the need for standardized protocols and data efficiency.
On day three, “Studio Erasmus” offered a live, behind-the-scenes look at PCCT in action. Attendees observed full scan workflows—from patient positioning to reconstruction—across neuro, MSK, thoracic, and cardiovascular cases.
The strong turnout confirmed: PCCT is a rapidly evolving field, with growing demand for collaboration, clinical studies, and knowledge-sharing.
