This year’s meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) had a practical tone. Catching up with the latest tech was still exciting, but the questions raised by exhibitors and attendees centered more on what’s useful for professionals today rather than what’s possible tomorrow.
Many of the conversations circled back to what healthcare leaders in the imaging space need to know now: Which tools are ready for routine use? What still needs proof? How do we support teams who are stretched thin?
The theme of this year’s conference, “Imaging the Individual,” fit that mindset well, alluding toward a shift in imaging that’s more personal, practical, and tied to real clinical needs.
Given that shift in tone, it wasn’t surprising to see a few core trends come up again and again. So, in case you missed RSNA 2025, or just need a refresher, here’s a breakdown of what people were talking about most.
AI was everywhere this year, but with a new level of confidence
As is the case with nearly every major healthcare conference we’ve attended this year, AI once again dominated the conversation. But at RSNA, the discussion was squarely on impact. Many organizations and providers have moved past the “Is it ready?” phase and are focusing on how to operationalize AI across busy imaging departments and how to deliver results at scale. Several talks dove into the realities of managing the enormous datasets that enterprise imaging requires, from harmonizing inputs across systems to ensuring models stay accurate as patient populations and imaging protocols change.
A major thread throughout the week was the push to use AI to improve day-to-day efficiency. A number of sessions showcased concrete examples of how AI can shorten reporting times, streamline case prioritization, and reduce the number of manual steps in routine workflows. However, it’s important to emphasize that adopting an AI-driven approach is only half of the solution: The key to improving operational efficiency at scale is in building a dependable infrastructure that ensures consistent data quality, so radiologists can work faster without sacrifice.
Managing burnout was also a constant topic of discussion this year, attributed to the collision between the growing demand for radiology services and the limited supply of radiologists. According to the American College of Radiology, the U.S. population is expanding faster than the number of radiologists entering the workforce each year, and the trend is likely to continue for years to come.
As a result, many leaders are looking to incorporate AI agents into their practice. These tools are already revolutionizing how medical imaging analysis is done, as they’re able to autonomously detect abnormalities in screenings with greater speed and accuracy than clinicians. AI agents can also function as a personal research assistant, accelerating time to insight by digging through EHRs, medical data, and published research, and giving radiologists concise, informative summaries. While this tech is brand new, there’s optimism around its potential to alleviate burnout and remove friction without adding more complexity.
Theranostics is gaining momentum
Arguably one of the hottest trends to come out of RSNA 2025 is seeing how the field of theranostics has shifted from what could best be described as a “boutique science” to a practice that is becoming more commonplace and commercialized.
Theranostics refers to the simultaneous combination of diagnosing and treating a disease in a single medical intervention or technique (it’s a portmanteau of therapeutic and diagnostic). The reason behind the practice’s growing popularity is straightforward: Theranostics promises safer, more targeted treatments guided by precise medical imaging.
One barrier in past years has been access. Radiopharmaceutical supply has often been limited, making it difficult for many imaging centers and health systems to support theranostic programs. That picture looks different in 2025. Manufacturers have significantly increased production capacity, and the supply chain is finally starting to catch up with clinical demand. This shift alone has opened the door for more healthcare providers to consider launching or expanding their own programs.
The biggest development, however, was the FDA’s decision to expand eligibility of the use of Pluvicto, a targeted radioactive therapy for advanced prostate cancer patients, earlier in the patient journey. Evidence shows that introducing Pluvicto before taxane-based chemotherapy can improve outcomes for eligible patients.
On the provider side, the FDA’s decision has also had a positive impact on referral patterns. As a result, urologists are sending more patients to theranostic specialists, and the communication loops between urologists, nuclear medicine teams, and medical oncologists are growing stronger.
Cloud technology continues to revolutionize medical imaging
Alongside a surge of AI-powered tools and solutions, it was impossible to look around the conference floor and miss one company or another showcasing its cloud computing technology.
While cloud computing isn’t new to healthcare, its adoption in the medical imaging space has increased significantly, and vendors were eager to demonstrate how their platforms can help organizations manage large imaging networks with less friction.
In the context of medical imaging, cloud computing refers to storing, managing, and analyzing imaging data on secure, off-site servers rather than relying solely on local infrastructure. For many systems, this shift allows imaging data to move more freely across departments, sites, and care teams. Instead of juggling separate archives, upgrades, and storage expansions, organizations can rely on a centralized environment that scales as demand grows.
Cloud platforms also make it easier to support collaboration across radiology, cardiology, oncology, and other imaging-heavy service lines. They also simplify IT operations by reducing the need for on-premises hardware and constant maintenance. Many providers were especially interested in how cloud computing solutions can streamline vendor updates across health systems, improve uptime, and strengthen disaster recovery efforts.
Sustainability is at the forefront of medical imaging innovation
While much of RSNA emphasized the tools, technologies, and techniques that can improve outcomes in the medical imaging field now, there was still plenty of discussion centered on what the future of the field will look like.
A major part of that conversation focused on how imaging departments can innovate while reducing their environmental impact. Vendors highlighted energy-efficient systems, helium-saving MRI designs, and workflow tools that help departments use resources more thoughtfully.
Much of the concern is driven by evidence of how the healthcare industry negatively impacts the environment. According to one study, the healthcare sector represents 8.5% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. annually. Medical imaging, in particular, accounts for a significant portion of a health system’s total energy use. Another study that analyzed the radiology department’s carbon footprint at a major hospital found that the department alone accounted for 24% of the facility’s carbon emissions. Energy hungry equipment like MRI and CT scanners were a significant portion of the total emissions.
In her keynote presentation, Geraldine McGinty, MD, emphasized that we don’t need to sacrifice sustainability for innovation. By adopting greener practices, optimizing resource use, and leaning on more energy-efficient technologies, providers can advance care and reduce their environmental impact at the same time.
Maximizing the value of these imaging trends
Each of these trends represents an opportunity for healthcare organizations to strengthen clinical performance, streamline operations, and plan more confidently for the future.
Turning those opportunities into real value, though, requires clarity on where the market is heading, which organizations are leading adoption, and where new partnerships or investments can make the biggest impact. That’s where Definitive Healthcare can help.
If you’re looking to understand market movements, refine your strategy, or uncover opportunities in the imaging space, sign up for a demo to see how our data and analytics can support your next steps.
You might also be interested in...
