Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia

09/04/2026

As global approaches to prostate treatment continue to evolve, Australian researchers and interventional radiologists are helping shape the next chapter in patient-centred care.

Prostate artery embolisation ( ) is a minimally invasive treatment option that can play an important role in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) care. Awareness is increasing in Australia, yet there is still room to grow in building broader recognition.

💡Greater access of the full range of treatment options, including PAE, can help support informed decision-making, more tailored care and ultimately, enhanced quality of life for patients.

Professor Nicholas Brown, Clinical Director of I-MED Radiology at The Wesley Hospital recently joined Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander on ABC Radio National’s Health Report to discuss the BJUI Global Prize-winning P-EASY study and what it means for the future of prostate care in Australia and beyond.

🎧Listen to the episode here:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an enlargement of the prostate that can cause urinary problems - feeling like you need to p*e often, waking up to go to the toilet in the night or weak flow. Traditionally it's been treated with surgery, but a suite of studies over almost a decade finds a treatment ca...

08/04/2026

Access to specialist care shouldn't depend on where you live, especially in an emergency, when timely treatment can change everything.

A recent ABC story shared the experience of Bega local, Peter Norman, who suffered a life-threatening ruptured splenic artery aneurysm. After a delayed diagnosis, Peter needed urgent surgery to save his life, including removal of his spleen. While he is now recovering, the impact will stay with him for life, including the need for ongoing antibiotics.

💡Stories like Peter’s are a powerful reminder of why early diagnosis and timely access to specialist care are so important, particularly for people living in rural and regional communities, where the full range of treatment options is not always available close to home.

For decades, Interventional Radiologists (IRs) have played a vital role in treating splenic aneurysms using minimally invasive, image-guided techniques. When patients are referred early, IRs can help monitor risk, perform preventative embolisation before complications occur, and significantly improve health outcomes.

⏱️With timely care and referral, IRs can:
▪️Control bleeding quickly in emergencies
▪️Prevent rupture when detected early
▪️Reduce recovery time and hospital stay
▪️Help preserve the spleen and avoid more invasive surgery where possible

Every patient deserves access to modern, evidence-based care, no matter their postcode. Expanding recognition, referral and access to IR in both metropolitan and regional communities is an important part of delivering safer, more patient-centred treatment.

👉 Read more about Peter’s story here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-08/couple-praise-country-doctors-and-nurses-after-aneurysm-miracle/106305104

Visit https://irsa.com.au/patient-center/ to learn more about minimally invasive treatment options for splenic aneurysms.

The barking of a dog kicks off a marathon medical effort that ends in a rare lifesaving surgery at a remote hospital.

25/03/2026

The wins that matter most in medicine are the ones that actually change lives for patients - and we’re excited to see this momentum in prostate care.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is incredibly common. By around age 60, about half of Australian men may have an enlarged prostate. And yet many delay seeking help, often due to stigma and the idea that treatment can feel daunting.

That’s why building evidence for minimally invasive options like Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) can play a significant role in supporting earlier, more confident conversations around prostate care.

🌟Recently, that work has received international recognition🌟

P-EASY ADVANCE, a study exploring PAE earlier in the treatment pathway, was awarded the 🏆 2026 British Journal of Urology International ( ) Global Prize for best paper, recognising exceptional quality and potential clinical impact.

Our very own Professor Nicholas Brown, Clinical Director of I-MED Radiology at The Wesley Hospital, accepted this prestigious award at USANZ ASM in Perth on behalf of the dedicated multidisciplinary team advancing PAE research.

📈 This milestone represents an important step in the broader work underway to lift consistency, confidence and utilisation of PAE across Australia and New Zealand.

💡For patients, this is about greater choice, backed by robust evidence, creating better pathways to accessibility and improved outcomes.

At , we’re proud to support our dedicated members and p*ers for continuing to drive IR forward, ensuring minimally invasive procedures like PAE are visible, understood and accessible for the patients who need them most.

You can access the full P-EASY ADVANCE paper here: https://bjui-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/bju.16479

13/03/2026

Are you a medical student looking to kickstart a career in interventional radiology (IR)?

IRSA's Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) offers a unique opportunity to explore the full scope of the specialty and network with leaders in the field.

With complimentary registration to the conference program reserved exclusively for students, the 2026 ASM can be your chance to:

💡Attend focused sessions and hands-on workshops

💡Learn about the evolving future of IR directly from global and local leaders in the field

💡Submit an abstract and contribute to advancements in IR research

💡Connect with leading IRs from Australia and around the world

As a final-year medical student attendee, Hussein Al-Fiadh made the most of these opportunities - presenting his research at the 2025 ASM and receiving the Junior Doctor Prize for Best Oral Presentation at the closing dinner.

Read more about Hussein's reflections from the ASM below.

⏱ Ready to step into one of the most innovative fields in medicine? Early bird registrations for ASM 2026 are now open. Don't miss out - secure your spot before 30 May! https://www.irsaasm.com/registration

05/03/2026

🚨 News Watch: Blood clots and advances in PE treatment

You may have seen the news about the recent and tragic death of beloved actor Catherine O'Hara. Her tragic passing has brought renewed attention to blood clots AKA pulmonary embolisms (PE) - an all-too-common condition.

PE is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition caused by a blood clot that blocks an artery in the lungs. In Australia, about 17,000 people develop venous blood clots (including pulmonary embolism) each year.

Time is of the essence when delivering emergency PE care, and interventional radiologists are becoming increasingly critical alongside emergency doctors, intensive care units, physicians, and multidisciplinary care teams to ensure patients receive the urgent care they need.

Leveraging cutting-edge (IR) techniques, interventional radiologists help to:

🚑 Stabilise critically unwell patients

🚑 Reduce strain on the heart

🚑 Offer treatment when anticoagulation alone or systemic thrombolysis aren’t appropriate

Thanks to advancements in IR, such as new minimally invasive procedures and advanced techniques like catheter-directed thrombolysis and thrombectomy, the way we respond to PE is evolving rapidly.

In Australia, the IR teams at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) and South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) are helping shape the evolving role of interventional radiology within PE response teams.

According to Peter, PE patient, thanks to his IR thrombectomy procedure at FSH and SMHS, he was able to recover quickly and return to his active lifestyle, “fishing, boating and caravanning” as usual.

Catherine O'Hara and Peter's stories are a powerful reminder of the importance of recognising symptoms early and understanding treatment options available.

👉 Read more about Peter’s story and the work of his IR team here: https://fsfhg.health.wa.gov.au/News/2025/10/08/Interventional-Radiology-procedure-helping-patients-like-Peter-to-recover-faster

And visit https://irsa.com.au/patient-center/ to learn more about minimally invasive treatment options for .

In a first, the Interventional Radiology team were called in to perform an emergency pulmonary embolism thrombectomy on 70 year old Peter, removing a blood clot from his lungs without needing to open his chest.

04/02/2026

Behind every cancer diagnosis is a unique human story of resilience, grief, hope, and healing. ❤️

This World Cancer Day, we’re reflecting on the theme and the importance of care that’s tailored to each person.

For some patients, minimally invasive interventional radiology (IR) procedures, such as cryoablation and embolisation, may form part of a broader, multidisciplinary management plan, with the potential to support recovery and quality of life.

Reflecting on their experience, one kidney cancer survivor says: “When I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, I was dreading surgery. That’s when I found a minimally invasive cryoablation procedure that better suited my needs and helped me return more quickly to the life I love.” – HC

👉Visit https://irsa.com.au/patient-center/ to learn more about how IR supports multidisciplinary care for people living with cancer.

29/01/2026

✨ One of the best parts of the IRSA's Annual Scientific Meetings (ASM) is connecting with p*ers from all across the globe — and in 2026 we’re creating even more opportunities to do exactly that.

Alongside the scientific program, at IRSA's ASM 2026 (20 - 22 July) delegates can look forward to a refreshed social line-up designed for connection and community, from a Welcome Function prior to the ASM, to the ASM Dinner on the penultimate night, finishing with ‘Raise a Glass’, a relaxed farewell happy hour with abstract award presentations, drinks and canapés 🥂

🌍 We’re also proud to welcome an outstanding international faculty, including:

Dr Mona Ranade, Associate Professor Stanford University School of Medicine
Professor Jin Woo Choi, Clinical Associate Professor Seoul National University Hospital
Professor Marc Sapoval, Hôpital Européen


🔔 For updates, program announcements and registration details, visit https://www.irsaasm.com/

27/01/2026

📢 Call for Abstracts is now open for IRSA's Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) 2026.

Have a project, technique, audit or piece of clinical work that deserves the spotlight? We invite you to submit your abstract and share your work with the interventional radiology (IR) community at IRSA’s ASM 2026, one of Australasia’s leading forums for IR education, research and networking.

All accepted abstracts will be published in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology (JMIRO), with prizes available across multiple categories.

Read below for key dates, categories and how to submit.

📆 Key dates

• Abstract submission deadline: Friday, 29 May 2026
• Notification of acceptance: Monday, 15 June 2026
• Registration deadline for accepted authors: Friday, 3 July 2026

🏆 Submission categories & prizes

• Oral (Registrars / IR Fellows): Best presentation prize includes CIRSE Congress registration + return economy flights + accommodation
• E-poster (Nurses / Radiographers): $1,000 | $500 | $250
• Oral (Medical Students / Junior Doctors): $1,000 | $500 | $250
• General abstract submissions (Oral presentations)

👉 Submit your abstract: https://www.irsaasm.com/

20/01/2026

🚀 Early Bird registrations are now open for IRSA's Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) 2026.

We’re excited to invite you to one of Australasia’s leading forums for IR education, research and networking, taking place Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 July at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Under the theme ‘Flow of Innovation’, the 2026 IRSA ASM program will showcase the ideas, technologies and collaborations shaping the future of IR.

Delegates can look forward to:
💡 High-impact plenary sessions, hands-on workshops and interactive discussions

💡A program designed to translate innovation directly into clinical practice, whether you’re early in training or a leader in the field.

📝Visit our website for more details and secure your spot for one of the biggest IR events in Australasia: https://www.irsaasm.com/

You don't want to miss it!

22/12/2025

06/11/2025

📢Exciting news!

The Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia (IRSA) is proud to announce the release of its White Paper on Clinical Practice in Interventional Radiology in the Springer Nature CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology (CVIR) journal.

Developed by the Executive team, the paper maps out a clear framework for patient-centred IR care in Australia and New Zealand.

By outlining practical recommendations for local health networks to align with the standards set by The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) and Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE), this paper reflect the quality of care our patients expect and deserve to receive with IR.

💡For insights on clinical practice, governance and patient access, read the open-access publication here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00270-025-04264-8

Home CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Article Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia (IRSA) White Paper on Clinical Practice in Interventional Radiology EDITORIAL OTHER Open access Published: 05 November 2025 (2025) Cite this article You have full access to this open access artic...

17/10/2025

📣 We're pleased to announce that the 2025 IRSA ASM accepted abstracts have been published in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology (JMIRO)!

From Interventional Radiology fellows and RANZCR registrars to medical students, junior doctors, nurses and radiographers, this year's abstracts showcase a diverse range of research aimed at advancing knowledge and IR techniques for better patient outcomes.

👏 Congratulations to all 2025 IRSA ASM accepted abstract submitters!

A heartfelt thank you to JMIRO for their continued support of promoting research in interventional radiology.

👉 View all abstracts here:

Click on the title to browse this issue