MD Radio-Diagnosis offers one of the broadest thesis canvases in postgraduate medicine. From brain MRI to image-guided interventions, from mammography to nuclear medicine — radiology research spans every organ system and every clinical discipline. This curated list of 100 research-ready MD Radiology PG thesis topics for 2026 covers neuroradiology, chest, GI/GU, musculoskeletal, interventional radiology, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine, with designs suited to retrospective and prospective imaging studies.
1Why Radiology Research Matters
Radiology is uniquely positioned at the intersection of every clinical specialty — every diagnosis ultimately passes through imaging. MD Radiology thesis research generates evidence that improves diagnostic accuracy, guides reporting standards, validates new imaging protocols, and benchmarks interventional procedure outcomes. In a country where CT and MRI availability is rapidly expanding to district hospitals, locally generated normative data and diagnostic accuracy studies have immediate clinical impact.
Radiology thesis designs are also uniquely flexible. Retrospective studies using existing PACS imaging data can be completed quickly without requiring patient recruitment. Prospective diagnostic accuracy studies following STARD guidelines are highly publishable. Interventional radiology outcome studies contribute directly to procedural safety data. This versatility makes radiology one of the most thesis-productive specialties in Indian postgraduate medical education.
Before finalising your topic, check your department's PACS archive for the past 2–3 years to confirm you have at least 80–100 eligible cases. Retrospective imaging studies are the fastest to complete — ideal if you are in your second year. Prospective studies need IEC approval before any data collection begins.
2Neuroradiology Topics (1–20)
Neuroradiology is one of the most academically productive sub-specialties in radiology. Brain MRI, CT angiography, and MR spectroscopy studies generate high-quality data with strong publication potential. Most of these topics can be designed as retrospective PACS-based studies.
- MRI brain in acute ischaemic stroke: DWI-FLAIR mismatch as a marker of stroke onset time and thrombolysis eligibility
- CT perfusion in acute ischaemic stroke: penumbra-to-core ratio, treatment decision correlation, and outcomes
- MRI characterisation of intracranial meningiomas: grade prediction using ADC values, enhancement pattern, and peritumoral oedema
- MR spectroscopy in brain tumours: Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA ratios for glioma grading and differentiation from metastasis
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in traumatic brain injury: FA and MD values vs clinical severity (GCS) and cognitive outcomes
- MRI findings in multiple sclerosis: lesion load (T2/FLAIR), spinal cord involvement, and McDonald criteria application
- CT and MRI in spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage: haematoma volume, expansion predictors, and 30-day outcome
- MRI in epilepsy: hippocampal sclerosis detection, MTS grading, and surgical candidacy assessment
- Intracranial aneurysms on CT angiography: morphology, size, location, and rupture risk correlation
- MRI in Parkinson's disease: substantia nigra imaging (neuromelanin-sensitive MRI), putamen changes, and clinical correlation
- Brain MRI in dementia: hippocampal volumetry (Scheltens scale), white matter changes (Fazekas grade), and cognitive scores
- MRI in spinal cord disorders: differentiation of demyelination, infection, vascular, and compressive myelopathy
- CT myelography vs MRI in lumbar canal stenosis: diagnostic accuracy, cross-sectional area measurement, and surgical correlation
- MRI in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: sinus involvement pattern, haemorrhagic infarction, and anticoagulation outcomes
- Perfusion MRI (ASL vs DSC) in brain tumours: rCBV values, glioma grading correlation, and post-treatment response assessment
- MRI in paediatric brain tumours: CECT vs MRI characterisation, WHO grade prediction, and surgical planning
- Skull base lesions on MRI: imaging characterisation, differential diagnosis accuracy, and histopathological correlation
- MRI in autoimmune encephalitis: FLAIR/DWI pattern, antibody profile correlation, and treatment response imaging
- CT angiography in carotid artery stenosis: NASCET grading, plaque morphology, and Doppler correlation
- MRI in brachial plexus injuries: pre- and post-ganglionic lesion identification and surgical planning correlation
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3Chest & Cardiac Radiology Topics (21–35)
Chest radiology is a high-volume area in every radiology department. CT thorax, HRCT, and chest X-ray studies are well-suited to retrospective designs using existing PACS data, making them highly feasible for thesis work.
- HRCT chest in COVID-19: CT severity scoring, CO-RADS classification, and correlation with clinical outcomes
- HRCT in interstitial lung disease (ILD): pattern recognition (UIP, NSIP, COP), ATS/ERS classification, and pulmonary function correlation
- CT chest in pulmonary tuberculosis: imaging patterns, cavitation, miliary disease, and treatment response assessment
- Low-dose CT (LDCT) for lung cancer screening: Lung-RADS classification, nodule characterisation, and follow-up outcomes
- CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in pulmonary embolism: clot burden (Qanadli score), right heart strain, and clinical severity correlation
- MRI vs CT in cardiac mass characterisation: tissue characterisation, diagnostic accuracy, and histopathological correlation
- CT coronary angiography (CTCA): calcium scoring, stenosis grading, and correlation with conventional angiography findings
- Chest X-ray vs CT in pneumonia severity assessment: radiological scoring, antibiotic escalation decisions, and outcomes
- HRCT in hypersensitivity pneumonitis: imaging features, occupational exposure correlation, and longitudinal follow-up
- CT chest in lymphoma: mediastinal mass characterisation, staging, and post-chemotherapy response assessment
- MRI cardiac in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: LV mass, fibrosis (LGE), and sudden cardiac death risk correlation
- CT findings in pleural diseases: effusion characterisation, pleural thickening patterns, and malignant vs benign differentiation
- Imaging in aortic dissection: Stanford classification on CT angiography, entry tear identification, and outcome correlation
- Chest CT in immunocompromised patients: opportunistic infection patterns, fungal vs bacterial differentiation, and mortality prediction
- HRCT bronchiectasis scoring (Reiff/BSI): correlation with spirometry, exacerbation frequency, and quality of life
4GI & GU Radiology Topics (36–50)
Gastrointestinal and genitourinary radiology offer abundant retrospective study opportunities. CT abdomen, MRI liver, and ultrasound-based studies are all highly feasible in Indian tertiary centres with established PACS systems.
- MRI liver in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): LI-RADS classification, AFP correlation, and treatment response assessment
- CT abdomen in acute pancreatitis: CTSI severity scoring, necrosis extent, and clinical outcome correlation
- MRI in rectal carcinoma: T and N staging accuracy, mesorectal fascia involvement, and surgical correlation
- MRCP vs ERCP in choledocholithiasis: diagnostic accuracy, stone size, sensitivity/specificity, and STARD reporting
- CT colonography vs conventional colonoscopy: polyp detection rate, size threshold accuracy, and patient acceptability
- Ultrasound elastography (liver stiffness) in chronic liver disease: ARFI/SWE values vs METAVIR fibrosis grade and liver biopsy
- CT findings in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST): size, enhancement pattern, and malignant potential correlation
- MRI in Crohn's disease (MRE): inflammation scoring (MaRIA/CDAI), stricture detection, and surgical planning correlation
- CT in abdominal trauma: AAST organ injury grading, non-operative management success rates, and outcome prediction
- MRI prostate (PI-RADS v2.1): lesion characterisation, biopsy correlation, and cancer detection rates
- Ultrasound and CT in renal cell carcinoma: Bosniak classification of cystic lesions, solid tumour characterisation, and surgical staging
- MRI in endometrial carcinoma: myometrial invasion depth, cervical extension, and FIGO staging accuracy
- Ultrasound vs MRI in ovarian mass characterisation: O-RADS classification, malignancy prediction, and histopathological correlation
- CT urography in upper tract urothelial carcinoma: lesion detection, staging accuracy, and cystoscopy correlation
- MRI in bladder carcinoma (VI-RADS): muscle invasion prediction, staging accuracy, and surgical correlation
5Musculoskeletal Radiology Topics (51–65)
Musculoskeletal radiology offers rich thesis material through MRI joint studies, bone tumour characterisation, and trauma imaging. Most of these topics can be designed as prospective or retrospective diagnostic accuracy studies.
- MRI knee in meniscal tears: diagnostic accuracy, tear pattern classification, and arthroscopic correlation
- MRI shoulder in rotator cuff tears: tear size, muscle atrophy grading, and surgical correlation
- MRI in avascular necrosis of femoral head: ARCO staging, contralateral involvement, and outcome prediction
- CT vs MRI in bone tumours: lesion characterisation, matrix pattern, zone of transition, and biopsy correlation
- MRI in spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease): vertebral involvement pattern, abscess extent, and neurological correlation
- MRI in lumbar disc prolapse: disc level, migration, neural foraminal stenosis, and surgical outcome correlation
- DECT (dual-energy CT) in gout: tophus detection, urate deposition mapping, and clinical severity correlation
- MRI in sacroiliac joint disease: SPARCC scoring, early ankylosing spondylitis detection, and clinical correlation
- Ultrasound in rheumatoid arthritis: synovitis scoring, power Doppler grading, and DAS-28 correlation
- MRI in soft tissue tumours: benign vs malignant differentiation, signal characteristics, and histopathological correlation
- CT in skeletal trauma: fracture classification (AO/OTA), comminution grading, and surgical planning accuracy
- MRI in paediatric developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH): acetabular index, labral morphology, and post-reduction assessment
- Bone age assessment on hand X-ray: Greulich-Pyle vs TW3 method comparison and clinical application in short stature
- MRI in ankle ligament injuries: ATFL/CFL tear characterisation, associated osteochondral lesions, and surgical correlation
- Ultrasound-guided joint injections: technical success rate, accuracy vs landmark-guided technique, and clinical outcome
6Interventional Radiology Topics (66–80)
Interventional radiology (IR) is one of the fastest-growing sub-specialties in Indian radiology. Outcome-based prospective studies of IR procedures are highly publishable and contribute directly to procedure safety data at your centre.
- Ultrasound-guided FNAC vs core needle biopsy in thyroid nodules: diagnostic accuracy, adequacy rates, and TIRADS correlation
- CT-guided lung biopsy: diagnostic yield, pneumothorax rate, and factors affecting complication risk
- Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) in HCC: mRECIST response, survival outcomes, and Child-Pugh correlation
- Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD): technical success, complication rates, and clinical outcome
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumours: complete ablation rates, local recurrence, and size/location predictors
- Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for fibroids: fibroid volume reduction, symptom relief, and fertility outcomes
- Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement: technical success, filter tilting/migration, and PE recurrence rates
- Percutaneous nephrostomy: technical success, complication rates, and outcome in obstructive uropathy
- Image-guided drainage of abdominal abscesses: technical success, resolution rates, and surgery avoidance rate
- Vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty in osteoporotic vertebral fractures: pain relief (VAS), cement leakage, and functional outcomes
- Endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease: angioplasty patency rates, ABI improvement, and limb salvage outcomes
- Carotid artery stenting: technical success, peri-procedural stroke risk, and 1-year restenosis rate
- Percutaneous cholecystostomy in acute cholecystitis: technical success, cholecystitis resolution, and subsequent surgery rates
- Image-guided tumour ablation (microwave vs RFA): comparative efficacy, ablation zone size, and complication rates
- Central venous port placement: technical success, complication rates (infection, thrombosis), and dwell time
7Ultrasound & Nuclear Medicine Topics (81–100)
Ultrasound-based research is highly feasible even in centres without advanced MRI, making these topics accessible to a wider range of MD Radiology candidates. Nuclear medicine topics are best suited to candidates at centres with gamma camera or PET-CT facilities.
- Thyroid ultrasound (TIRADS) in thyroid nodules: malignancy prediction accuracy and FNAC correlation
- Sonoelastography in breast lesions: strain ratio, stiffness scores, and BI-RADS correlation for malignancy detection
- Obstetric ultrasound in fetal growth restriction (FGR): Doppler indices (UA, MCA, DV), biophysical profile, and perinatal outcome
- First trimester ultrasound markers for chromosomal anomalies: NT, NB, tricuspid regurgitation, and combined screening performance
- Ultrasound in acute appendicitis: diagnostic accuracy, Alvarado score correlation, and comparison with CT findings
- Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in emergency medicine: accuracy of lung, FAST, and cardiac POCUS vs standard imaging
- Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in liver lesions: characterisation accuracy vs CECT and CMRI
- Ultrasound in scrotal pathology: testicular torsion detection, tumour characterisation, and varicocele grading
- Renal Doppler in hypertensive patients: resistive index, renal artery stenosis detection, and correlation with serum creatinine
- 3D ultrasound in uterine anomalies: Mullerian duct anomaly classification accuracy vs MRI
- Tc-99m bone scan in skeletal metastases: detection rate vs plain X-ray and correlation with serum ALP
- PET-CT in lymphoma staging: Deauville score, staging accuracy vs CT alone, and treatment response assessment
- Thyroid scintigraphy in hyperthyroidism: Graves' vs toxic nodule differentiation and radioiodine dose planning
- PET-CT in colorectal cancer recurrence: detection sensitivity, CEA correlation, and surgical management impact
- Tc-99m HIDA scan in biliary atresia: diagnostic accuracy, excretion fraction, and surgical correlation
- Mammography BI-RADS classification: positive predictive value, biopsy correlation, and screening programme performance
- Tomosynthesis vs standard mammography in dense breasts: cancer detection rate, recall rate, and false-positive comparison
- MRI breast in high-risk screening: cancer detection rate, BI-RADS distribution, and biopsy outcomes
- Ultrasound vs mammography in palpable breast lumps: diagnostic accuracy, age-specific performance, and biopsy correlation
- Sentinel lymph node mapping with radio-isotope in breast cancer: detection rate, false-negative rate, and surgical outcome correlation
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MD Radiology students should audit their department's PACS archive before selecting a topic. Retrospective studies using existing imaging data are the fastest to complete and do not require separate patient recruitment. Always confirm with your guide that the imaging quality and reporting data are adequate for your research question before finalising your topic.
| Sub-specialty | Recommended Study Design | Key Statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroradiology | Retrospective / Prospective cohort | ROC curve, AUC, sensitivity/specificity, kappa |
| Chest radiology | Retrospective / Diagnostic accuracy | STARD, sensitivity/specificity, Bland-Altman |
| GI & GU radiology | Retrospective / Prospective | ROC, kappa, McNemar's test |
| MSK radiology | Retrospective / Diagnostic accuracy | Sensitivity/specificity, kappa, Pearson's r |
| Interventional radiology | Prospective cohort / Outcome study | Chi-square, logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier |
| Ultrasound / Nuclear medicine | Prospective / Diagnostic accuracy | ROC, AUC, PPV/NPV, Bland-Altman |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about MD Radiology thesis topic selection
Choose a topic that matches your department's imaging modality strengths, has adequate case volume in your PACS archive (at least 80–100 eligible cases), and aligns with your guide's sub-specialty interest. Retrospective PACS-based studies are the most feasible for second-year candidates. Confirm data availability with your department before finalising the topic. PubMedico can help you assess feasibility and design your study.
Most MD Radiology theses use either a retrospective observational design (using existing PACS imaging data) or a prospective diagnostic accuracy design (enrolling new patients, imaging them, and correlating with a reference standard such as histopathology or clinical follow-up). Diagnostic accuracy studies should follow STARD 2015 guidelines. Interventional radiology outcome studies are prospective cohort designs.
STARD (Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) is the internationally accepted reporting checklist for diagnostic accuracy studies — the most common thesis design in radiology. Following STARD 2015 ensures your thesis meets publication standards and is comprehensive in reporting sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, AUC, and confidence intervals. Most radiology journals and examiners now expect STARD-compliant reporting.
The core statistical tests for MD Radiology theses are: ROC curve analysis with AUC (for diagnostic accuracy), sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV calculations, Cohen's kappa (for inter-observer agreement between radiologists), Bland-Altman analysis (for measurement agreement), and Chi-square or Fisher's exact test (for categorical comparisons). For staging correlation studies, Spearman's correlation is commonly used. SPSS handles all of these.
Yes — all research involving patient data, including retrospective imaging studies, requires IEC (Institutional Ethics Committee) approval before data collection begins. For retrospective studies using de-identified PACS data, many IECs grant an expedited review or waiver of informed consent, but the approval itself is still mandatory. Patient data must be anonymised before analysis.
Yes — PubMedico provides complete MD Radiology thesis support including topic selection, PACS data feasibility check, synopsis writing, STARD-compliant study design, statistical analysis (ROC, kappa, sensitivity/specificity), results chapter writing, and final thesis formatting. WhatsApp us at +91 96642 99381 for a free consultation — we reply within 2 hours.