Pencoed, 30th September 2026
On 30th September 2026, a pioneering and highly successful national training workshop focused on Ultrasound-Guided Lymph Node Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) for Research was held at the state-of-the-art National Imaging Academy of Wales (NIAW).
Bringing together 10 delegates, early-career researchers (ECRs),PPIE members and clinical academics from across the country, including Universities of Oxford, Liverpool and Cardiff, and the wider GW4 Alliance, the day marked a critical milestone in pushing forward the boundaries of immunology, spatial multi-omics, and translational lymph node research.
Spearheading Academic Vision and Operational Execution
The success of this intensive national training day was the result of extensive, dedicated groundwork. Conceptualised by the Executive of Lymph Node Research UK, the workshop served as a foundational training module for research-focused ultrasound-guided FNA. Driven by Dr. Lucy Jones (Senior Clinical Lecturer at Cardiff University, Lead of the Welsh Lymph Node Research Hub and Co-lead of Lymph Node Research UK and the GW4 Lymph Node Research Consortium), the event was organised, promoted, and structured to bridge advanced academic theory with practical clinical skills. Lucy developed the training workbooks that guided participants through both theoretical concepts and hands-on practice and clinical research governance, supported by colleagues.
World-Class Clinical Faculty: Dr. Adam Aboalkaz & Professor Rhodri Evans
The practical instruction and clinical training were delivered by an outstanding faculty, Dr. Adam Aboalkaz and Professor Rhodri Evans. Adam is a Consultant Radiologist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, member of the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) Professional Standards Group, and Honorary Lecturer at Cardiff University. Dr. Aboalkaz brought deep expertise in ultrasound instruction, guiding delegates through essential theory and practical techniques. Professor Rhodri Evans is a prominent figure in radiology with over 40 years of experience, former President of BMUS, and author of over 30 scientific papers, guidelines, and textbooks. Having delivered lectures globally in head and neck imaging, Professor Evans provided exceptional clinical insight, hands-on training and mentorship throughout the day. Together, Dr. Aboalkaz and Professor Evans delivered a high-quality, engaging training day that was warmly received by all participants.
Reflecting on the day’s success, Dr. Jones noted:
"It has been an excellent day for pushing forward the boundaries of immunology and lymph node research. The Imaging Centre of Wales is the best possible UK venue for this national training, and we thank our experts and the centre for accommodating us as we continue to build this vital national network. This workshop marks the beginning of a national and International research network with support from the GW4 Alliance and MRC."
Industry Partnership and Exceptional Support from Canon
A training day of this calibre relies heavily on advanced technological infrastructure. We are exceptionally grateful to Canon, whose invaluable partnership added world-class quality to the event. Canon kindly provided access to a state-of-the-art suite equipped with brand-new ultrasound machines, advanced scanners, specialised probes, and live technical demonstrations. This cutting-edge equipment allowed researchers to transition seamlessly from theoretical frameworks to high-fidelity practical imaging execution.
Comprehensive Curriculum, from theory to downstream assays
The workshop served as the foundational theory and practical module of an accredited training portfolio for research-focused ultrasound-guided lymph node FNA. The curriculum covered:
- Fundamental Anatomy & Physiology: Detailed exploration of lymph node architecture and systemic function.
- Modern Architectural Examination: High-resolution correlation with spatial multi-omics.
- Ultrasound Physics & Technology: Core principles of scanning physics and equipment handling.
- Gold-Standard Techniques: Methodologies for safe, reproducible access.
- Hands-On Practical Training: Scanning of live volunteers and supervised ultrasound-guided FNA on realistic medical phantoms and tissue resections.
- Translational Integrity: Rigorous protocols for sample handling to ensure high-quality material for downstream multi-omic and immunological assays.
- Governance & Compliance: Clinical research governance, standard operating procedures, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
Acknowledgements and Looking Forward
The organisers of this national capacity-building initiative, funded by the GW4 Alliance and Lymph Node Research UK (LNRUK), give special thanks to our volunteer participants who enabled safe, practical skill acquisition in USS scanning.
By combining meticulous curriculum design, expert clinical instruction, and cutting-edge industrial support from Canon, this workshop has established a benchmark for future national training events. LNRUK and the Welsh Lymph Node Research Hub look forward to expanding these collaborative educational workshops in the near future.
