16,000 Radiologists Gather For A Congress In Vienna: Innovations In Imaging Technologies Benefit Patients
"Radiology has seen an enormous advance in technological innovation, even greater than other disciplines, and the diagnostic possibilities are improving constantly. This dynamism requires radiologists to obtain continuing education of the highest caliber. The ECR is the optimum forum for this purpose," University Professor Dr. Christian J. Herold explained. Herold is head of the Clinical Department for General Radiology and Children's Radiology at the AKH in Vienna and is the first Austrian to preside over this major annual scientific event.
ECR 2007 Facts and Figures
The ECR's success story continues again this year according to the Congress president. "The number of participants has risen further to 16,000 and there is also a new record number of presentations at a total 270 sessions." All reflect the highest scientific standards. Of the 4,439 papers and presentations submitted, just 1,600 were accepted. The others did not meet the quality standards of the Congress. More than 200 companies are exhibiting their technological innovations in 25,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Woman's Imaging: Paying Closer Attention to Women's Special Needs
Professor Herold touched on an important trend in medicine also covered at the ECR 2007: "Increasing sensitivity about gender-specific differences in diagnostics and therapy is fast taking hold in modern radiology, too. A specialized category of imaging called women's imaging is beginning to take shape and is covered at length in this Congress." A separate scientific session (Sunday, March 11, 10:30 a.m.) will be devoted to advances in this area. Important contributions have been made by, among others, a pioneer in women's imaging, Hedvig Hricak, Head of the Department of Radiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and professor for radiology at Cornell University Medical College.
Professor Herold: "The various imaging methods categorized as women's imaging offer new and innovative approaches that better meet women's' health care needs." Laser Mammography: A New Radiological Technique Currently Under Clinical Evaluation Examples also demonstrated at the ECR with actual scientific investigations include, among others, advances in the early detection of breast cancer, one of the most common types of cancer among women. In Europe and the United States, for instance, laser mammography is one new radiological technique that is currently undergoing clinical evaluation. Professor Herold on these advances: "Molecular imaging with laser improves detection of breast tumors with no exposure to radiation." These new methods could largely replace conventional mammography in the medium term."
Ultrasonic Elastography Detects Tiny and Deep-Lying Tissue Changes
Researches also expect ultrasonic elastography to provide better diagnoses for mamma carcinomas. This technique uses the varying elasticity of tissue to depict even the tiniest and deepest tissue changes with great accuracy. Besides its uses in breast cancer, ultrasonic elastography can also be applied to other tumors accessible to ultrasonic signals, such as those in the prostate.
Professor Herold: "Breast cancer diagnosis is also improved with targeted biopsy, which spares patients from having suspected breast tissue surgically exposed." In ultrasonically and stereo tactically guided needle biopsies, needles are used to take tissue samples required for further clarification. The method is non-invasive and accurate to the nearest millimeter.
In addition to its use in diagnosis, women's imaging also plays an increasingly important role in cancer treatments for women. "To offer the best therapy for a given individual, we have to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor and evaluate in detail the disease's stage of development," Professor Herold explained. "Innovative magnetic resonance spectroscopy offers a means of precisely estimating the aggressiveness of the primary tumor, especially with breast cancer. In breast and ovarian cancer, new advances in positron emission tomography allow the efficacy of chemotherapies to be checked quickly so any required adjustment in treatment strategy can be made early on."
Molecular Imaging: Detecting Diseases Before They Arise
A number of scientific sessions will be devoted to the subject of molecular imaging. The Congress president: "Molecular imaging will revolutionize radiology in the foreseeable future. This is one area where the future of medicine has already begun. A new scientific field is establishing itself. In the medium term, molecular imaging will also become a routine hospital procedure. This prediction applies not just to imaging in the narrower sense. We can expect to see a number of new therapeutic options open up."
Molecular imaging allows the actual mechanism and character of diseases to be reconstructed. This type of visualization paves the way to earlier and more individualized diagnoses, more surgical interventions and better therapy possibilities.
Professor Herold: "We can already implement a number of molecular imaging findings in actual clinical practice. For instance, today we are already able to detect pathological changes in early stages or better estimate the stage of oncological or inflammatory diseases. New and more efficient medicines are currently under development. We can also depict cells and their tiniest structures with various technologies and efficiently monitor the development of tumors. Molecular imaging is broad and diverse in scope and left the confines of experimental research some time ago."
Molecular imaging opens up new perspectives in stem cell therapy, as well. Professor Herold describes yet another area of application: "With molecular imaging, the development of stem cells can be observed and tracked following their implantation. In this way, we can determine whether the stem cells are moving to the desired location and differentiating there, e.g. to the source of a heart infarction or stroke."
"Year of the Child" at the ECR: Helping Children to Overcome Their Fear of Examinations
"Imaging Generations" is the motto of this year's ECR, which devotes special attention to the youngest of (potential) radiology patients, namely children. The use of imaging requires specific expertise. For example, risk-free ultrasonic techniques play a much more important role for children or adolescents than for adults. Ultrasonic waves can be used with a substantially better resolution in young patients than in adults. That yields images of much better quality and allows a much more precise diagnosis.
Besides carefully selecting the appropriate diagnostic method for children, children radiologists have to spend a lot of time on preparations and explanations. Professor Herold elaborated: "A child coming to an examination encounters unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar setting. He sees huge machines all around and could get scared. The first task is to reassure the child and familiarize him with the equipment."
It is no accident that children are such a key focal point of information at this year's ECR. Professor Herold: "Our goal is to take a playful approach to familiarize potential children patients with radiological methods and relieve them of any anxiety they may feel about a possible X-ray or ultrasonic examination."
Two special types of events were developed as part of this year's ECR to address children directly and to inform them about modern imaging and its benefits in a way appropriate to their age. On Sunday (March 11, starting at 9 a.m.), the ECR and Siemens invite young guests to a medical highlight event at Minolopis Kids Town, where experts from the AKH in Vienna will answer any questions the children have about x-ray or ultrasonic examinations, computer tomography, etc. On Monday, March 12, a special children's event will be staged for the first time at the technical exhibition of the Congress in Austria Center in cooperation with Siemens. School children from Vienna are invited to attend. Professor Herold: "These children's events are the kick-off for a Europe-wide public awareness campaign on the subject of children's radiology."
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16000 Radiologists A aduna pentru Congresul de la Viena: inovaþii în tehnologii de imagini beneficia de pacienþi - 16,000 Radiologists Gather For A Congress In Vienna: Innovations In Imaging Technologies Benefit Patients - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate