F
oreword Prior to the introduction of computed tomography in the mid 1970’s, the imaging techniques utilised to image the neuropathology of the central nervous system were, in retrospect, rather crude and invasive and depended very much on the indirect affect of pathology on the CSF circulation and the cerebral circulation. Prior to the introduction of CT, individual neuroradiologists were occupied in improving the techniques of plain radiography, angiography, air encephalography and nuclear medicine. Suddenly in 1974 through the efforts of Godfrey Houndsfield, a non-radiologist, the brain tissue itself could suddenly be imaged invivo. Subsequently during the past thirty years the explosion in technology has lead to the routine application of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and nuclear medicine to neuroimaging while technical improvements in catheters, stents and coils has lead to interventional neuroradiology playing a leading role in treatment. Although these new techniques have improved the ease and accuracy of diagnosis while interventional techniques have contributed to an improvement in outcome, the rapid advances have led to some overlap in utilisation and hence confusion about which technique should be used in a particular clinical circumstance. An obvious example is the demonstration of cerebral aneurysms by CTA, MRA or DSA or a carotid stenosis by ultrasound, CTA, MRA or DSA. At the same time cerebral ischaemia can be investigated by numerous techniques including nuclear medicine and in many ways much of the so called complimentary information obtained may in fact be duplication. Because of these many advances in neuroimaging in recent years and the ongoing development that continues, the current neuroradiologist has a major responsibility in determining which of these various techniques should be utilised in a particular clinical setting. The scientific program for the XVIII Symposium Neuroradiologicum was designed to allow us to consider how the various imaging techniques now available can be best applied. Therefore the Scientific Program Committee invited a number of international experts to provide their opinion and understanding of the current up-to-date role of these techniques in defining the anatomy and neuropathology of common neurological problems and their role in diagnosis and management. It was also recognised that only a limited number of neuroradiologists working in Europe and the USA are able to subspecialise within neuroradiology while the majority of neuroradiologists who are members of the World Federation of Neuroradiological Societies are required to cover the broad spectrum of neuroimaging. Therefore there were no concurrent sessions to enable the majority of neuroradiologists to attend presentations by the recognised experts.
Michael Sage President, XVIII Symposium Neuroradiologicum
oreword Prior to the introduction of computed tomography in the mid 1970’s, the imaging techniques utilised to image the neuropathology of the central nervous system were, in retrospect, rather crude and invasive and depended very much on the indirect affect of pathology on the CSF circulation and the cerebral circulation. Prior to the introduction of CT, individual neuroradiologists were occupied in improving the techniques of plain radiography, angiography, air encephalography and nuclear medicine. Suddenly in 1974 through the efforts of Godfrey Houndsfield, a non-radiologist, the brain tissue itself could suddenly be imaged invivo. Subsequently during the past thirty years the explosion in technology has lead to the routine application of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and nuclear medicine to neuroimaging while technical improvements in catheters, stents and coils has lead to interventional neuroradiology playing a leading role in treatment. Although these new techniques have improved the ease and accuracy of diagnosis while interventional techniques have contributed to an improvement in outcome, the rapid advances have led to some overlap in utilisation and hence confusion about which technique should be used in a particular clinical circumstance. An obvious example is the demonstration of cerebral aneurysms by CTA, MRA or DSA or a carotid stenosis by ultrasound, CTA, MRA or DSA. At the same time cerebral ischaemia can be investigated by numerous techniques including nuclear medicine and in many ways much of the so called complimentary information obtained may in fact be duplication. Because of these many advances in neuroimaging in recent years and the ongoing development that continues, the current neuroradiologist has a major responsibility in determining which of these various techniques should be utilised in a particular clinical setting. The scientific program for the XVIII Symposium Neuroradiologicum was designed to allow us to consider how the various imaging techniques now available can be best applied. Therefore the Scientific Program Committee invited a number of international experts to provide their opinion and understanding of the current up-to-date role of these techniques in defining the anatomy and neuropathology of common neurological problems and their role in diagnosis and management. It was also recognised that only a limited number of neuroradiologists working in Europe and the USA are able to subspecialise within neuroradiology while the majority of neuroradiologists who are members of the World Federation of Neuroradiological Societies are required to cover the broad spectrum of neuroimaging. Therefore there were no concurrent sessions to enable the majority of neuroradiologists to attend presentations by the recognised experts.
Michael Sage President, XVIII Symposium Neuroradiologicum
