ISNMI (IFCN Society of Neuromuscular Imaging) is comprised of clinicians and researchers from six continents. A wide range of specialties is represented, including neurology, radiology, physiatry, rheumatology, orthopedic surgery and many more. Our academic interest centers on integration of imaging into the clinical and neurophysiologic assessment of peripheral nerve and muscle diseases. ISNMI conducts an annual course and conference for the presentation of research, didactics and to provide hands-on training in neuromuscular ultrasound techniques. ISNMI (IFCN Society of Neuromuscular Imaging) is the former ISNMI (International Society of Neuromuscular Imaging) and ISPNI (International Society of Peripheral Neurophysiological Imaging).
The ISNMI is a society dedicated to teaching and advancing knowledge and skills in the field of neuromuscular imaging. We believe these techniques are a valuable addition to this field. Our aim is to facilitate the implementation and use of nerve and muscle ultrasound, MRI and other imaging techniques, in every part of the world that has practitioners involved in the diagnosis, treatment and research of patients with neuromuscular disorders.
ISNMI 2025 in Ottawa, Canada
Dear friends and colleagues,
This year, the IFCN Society of Neuromuscular Imaging (Special Interest Group) connected with two Canadian colleagues, Dr. Shahin Khayambashi from Vancouver and Dr. Grayson Beecher from Edmonton, to organize the first hands-on neuromuscular ultrasound workshop in Canada. The event was supported by a great faculty team, with both local proponents that included both the hosts, and Dr. Omar Khan from McMaster, Dr. Nick Miller from University of Manitoba, Dr. Theo Mobach from University of Calgary, and an international faculty consisting of Dr. Andrea Boon from Mayo Clinic, Dr. Sarada Sakamuri from Stanford University, Dr. Monika Krzesniak-Swinarska from University of Colorado, and Dr. Nens van Alfen from Radboud University Medical Center.
Set in the historic Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in downtown Ottawa, the 2-day workshop was arranged to seamlessly precede the 2025 Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation meeting. While initially aimed to serve a maximum of 50 people, the workshop capacity was eventually expanded to accommodate a total of 72 participants from both Canada and abroad for this fully hands-on event, most of whom had never used an ultrasound probe yet. Over the course of two days, participants were introduced to basic scanning principles, indications, and evidence for the use of neuromuscular ultrasound in everyday practice, and some more advanced topics such as brachial plexus and small nerve scanning, all supported by case discussions, Q&As and two afternoons of hands-on practice.
The workshop was generously supported by the IFCN, Ipsen, Cadwell and Grifols, with Canon Medical, Fujifilm Sonosite and Cadwell providing all the fantastic ultrasound systems for the hands-on scanning and demos.
While we are still awaiting the formal participants’ feedback, the first impression was overwhelmingly very positive, with enthusiastic participation, engaging discussions and many good questions on how to proceed with training and implementation of NMUS in Canada. You can see some of the spirit and get a feel for this event in the photos below.
We were especially happy to see this years’ ISNMI edition occur in Canada, as the hosts recently published two papers about the use and training opportunities - or rather, the lack thereof - in their country. We are confident that this course will help kickstart things, and ISNMI will keep working towards implementation where we can.
Next year, the ISNMI will again be part of the formal IFCN program in Cartagena, Colombia. In addition, we are open to providing our support for those of you out there who want to organize your own local course. ISNMI can help with the program and educational content design, and helping you find faculty members to enhance the learning experience. Just drop us an email!
Looking forward to seeing all of you again, happy scanning :-) !
Nens van Alfen MD, PhD
President of the ISNMI
President: Nens van Alfen, MD, PhD
Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology
Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group,
Radboudumc Center of Expertise for Neuromuscular Disorders
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour
Radboud University Medical Center
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
nens.vanalfen@radboudumc.nl
Founding President: Luca Padua, MD, PhD
Department of Geriatrics and Orthopedics
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
High Intensity Neurorehabilitation Unit
Department of Neuroscience, Head and Neck,
Ophtalmology and Thoracic Diseases
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Rome, Italy
luca.padua@policlinicogemelli.it
Past President: Simon Podnar, MD, DSc
Medical Director, Division of Neurology
University Medical Centre Ljubljana
Ljubljana, Slovenia
simon.podnar@kclj.si
2023 Meeting Organizer – General secretary: Ana Lucila Moreira, MD
Hospital das Clínicas FMUSP - University of São Paulo,
Department of Neuromuscular Diseases and
Department of Peripheral Nerve Surgery
CENEC - Clinical Neurophysiology, Campinas - SP
Neurolum Institute - São Paulo – SP
ana.lucila.moreira@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Michael Cartwright, MD
Wake Forest School of Medicine,
Department of Neurology,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
mcartwri@wakehealth.edu
Education Program Leader: David Preston, MD
Neurological Institute,
University Hospitals - Cleveland Medical Center
Case Western Reserve University,
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
david.preston@uhhospitals.org
Research Program Leader: Lisa Hobson-Webb, MD
Duke University School of Medicine,
Department of Neurology
Durham, North Carolina, USA
lisa.hobsonwebb@duke.edu
The ISNMI Website Manager: Monika Krzesniak-Swinarska, MD
Visiting Professor of PM&R, Electrodiagnostic and Neuromuscular Medicine
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Neurology
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,Colorado, USA
monika.swinarska@cuanschutz.edu
Past Annual Meetings:
2025 Ottawa, Canada,ISNMI Ultrasound Course
2024 Jakarta, Indonesia- ICCN 2024
2023 Campinas, Brazil – ICCNMI 2023
2021 Virtual Meeting, Netherlands – ICCNMI 2021
2019 Trieste, Italy – ICCNU 2019
2018 Washington, DC, USA – ICCNU 2018
2017 Seoul, South Korea – ICCNU 2017
2016 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2015 Palermo, Italy
2014 Vienna, Austria
2013 Charleston, South Carolina, USA
2012 Rome, Italy
ISPNI (International Society of Peripheral Neurophysiological Imaging) began as the project of Dr. Carlo Martinoli, an esteemed radiologist from Genoa, Italy, and Dr. Luca Padua, an internationally renowned neurophysiologist from Rome, Italy. They conceived the organization and began planning next steps. Inviting Dr. Lisa Hobson-Webb, a neuromuscular specialist from Duke University in the United States, they founded ISPNI and chartered the organization in Rome, where the first meeting occurred in 2012.
Since 2012, ISPNI has offered an annual course and conference with sites in Europe, North America and Asia. The group has grown each year, and we were excited to take part as a satellite meeting with the 2018 International Congress of Clinical Neurophysiology in Washington, D.C.
Watch Professor Nens van Alfen's IFCN Masterclass on Neuralgic Amyotrophy- a clinical and EDx update- Watch Recording
It is with regret to share that we recently lost one of our esteemed colleagues, Professor Jeremy Bland of Kent.He made an extraordinary contribution to neurophysiology in east Kent, London and nationally. Colleagues described him as ‘the heart and soul of the neurophysiology department’. He developed an internationally recognised expertise in carpal tunnel syndrome and had many publications in this area. He pioneered the use of ultrasound in the investigation of peripheral nerve conditions. Doctors from all over the world visited the Kent and Canterbury Hospital to study ultrasound with Jeremy. He developed more care in the community, taking carpal tunnel clinics to primary care. He was awarded the Distinguished Researcher Award by the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine in 2021, and founded a website for carpal tunnel syndrome. More recently, Jeremy worked closely with NHS England to improve neurophysiology services across England. 
Streaming Services for Jeremy Bland will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 12:00 (GMT) To Join
ISNMI (International Society of Neuromuscular Imaging) is the former ISPNI (International Society of Peripheral Neurophysiological Imaging). The name was changed in October 2021 to include more people interested in neuromuscular ultrasound. In February 2024 the ISNMI became a IFCN Society of Neuromuscular Imaging (ISNMI), forming a new SIG (Special Interest Group) of IFCN (International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology).
