Intra-Operative Imaging | IOI Study Group

That’s new!

REFLECT Reporting Guidelines for Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Studies

We are excited to announce that the community-driven REFLECT Reporting Guidelines for Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Studies are now published open access in npj Imaging.
This initiative has been driven by the Intra-Operative Imaging Study Group leadership – thanks to all contributing authors*.

Fluorescence molecular imaging is rapidly advancing, but inconsistent reporting continues to hinder comparability and progress. The new REFLECT Guidelines provide a comprehensive, community-developed framework for reporting fluorescence-guided surgery and intervention studies across preclinical, translational, and clinical settings. The guidelines include a structured checklist covering all essential elements – contrast agents, imaging devices, imaging protocols, and image processing/analysis – to improve reporting quality, enhance reproducibility, and support field-wide standardization.

We invite the community to adopt REFLECT and help accelerate reliable, interpretable, and impactful research in the field. Let’s keep advancing this work together.

Please feel free to share feedback and help spread the word – we look forward to hearing from you. Reach out anytime via ioi.group@esmi-insight.eu

*Bas Keizers, Marcus C. M. Stroet, Meedie Ali, Sam Floru, Jelena Saliën, Laura Mezzanotte, Edward J. Delikatny, Summer L. Gibbs, Stefano Giuliani, Sylvain Gioux, Hans Ingelberts, Schelto Kruijff, Vasilis Ntziachristos, Ethan LaRochelle, Stephan Rogalla, Eben L. Rosenthal, Kimberley S. Samkoe, Kenneth M. Tichauer, Alexander L. Vahrmeijer, Max J. H. Witjes, Floris J. Voskuil, Dimitris Gorpas, Sophie Hernot & Pieter J. van der Zaag. Reflect: reporting guidelines for preclinical, translational and clinical fluorescence molecular imaging studies. npj Imaging 3, 62 (2025).

Study Group Scope, Relevance, and Goals

The ESMI study group Intra-Operative Imaging focuses on the surgical optical imaging of cancer. Surgical decision making is still mostly based on the physicians vision and experience, however studies show that oncological surgical procedures often lack accuracy and completeness. Improvements in the resection technique are therefore highly sought to improve survival, decrease functional loss, and increase the quality of life of the patient.

We believe that surgical vision enhanced by molecular imaging has the potential to shape the future of surgical procedures by improving the sensitivity, accuracy and contrast of tumor delineation and lymph node interrogation. […]

The study group aims to further advance the development and clinical translation of (such) probes, as well as the corresponding imaging modalities from intra-operative or endoscopic use. This encompasses the development of imaging systems that are able to acquire and process multispectral and possibly multi-modal information in real-time and are adapted to the clinical needs.

We aim to develop advanced molecular imaging techniques and translate them into clinical practice. Meeting the need for improved contrast in tumour visualisation will help to improve surgical and endoscopic procedures and hence the patient’s health.

The group promotes the field of intra-operative imaging by

• paving the way for an interdisciplinary dialogue to identify common issues and limitations in the field
• bringing together scientists, industry representatives and regulatory representatives
• facilitating understanding of regulatory processes and represent the community to regulatory bodies
• organising lectures, sessions, and workshops to raise awareness and promote knowledge exchange

Founding Members

• Alexander Vahrmeijer – Leiden
• Gooitzen van Dam – Groningen
• Vasilis Ntziachristos – Munich
• Kevin Brindle – Cambridge
• Silvio Aime – Torino
• Sophie Hernot – Brussels

Group Leadership

Chair: Pieterjan van der Zaag, Groningen
Co-Chair: Dimitris Gorpas, Munich