Welcome messages
Message from Bernhard L. Bauer
Dear Colleagues, Distinguished Guests,
On behalf of the ISGNE it is a great honour and pleasure form me to give me you a cordial welcome here in Paris-Versailles the place of an unique universal history and Capital of “Sun King, Louis XIV”.
The Forth World Conference of the ISGNE and the Second World Congress For Endoscopic Surgery of the Brain, Skull Base and Spine brings neurosurgeons from all over the world together for a state of the art in Neuroendoscopy. As our guests I welcome particularly the groups of japans and italian colleagues.
In the context of this Congress we shall discuss most aspects of indications, procedures and outcomes of Neuroendoscopy. You will find that the scientific program is structured in different subjects covering most aspects of our art. The topics to be discussed range from experimental research, actual established surgical approaches but even procedures that still in the stage to be evaluated against the standards of microneurosurgery. We have to be aware of the fact that Neuroendoscopy is still a matter of controversies. Nevertheless Neuroendoscopy is an innovative –one, multidisciplinary approach organized by a framework of microneurosurgery, stereotaxic procedures, electronics, ultrasound, lasers and neuronavigation. Besides all this virtual reality and 3 D reconstruction as a teaching tool enlarge our stock of knowledge, science and practical skill.
When we look back, the progress of neuroendoscopy was an agonizingly slow process in the past. But meanwhile our understanding has grown at an exponential rate and it is difficult to keep pace with and to record all the advanced ramifications in this field. This Congress focus on all the pertinent information on Neuroendoscopy to extend the list of indications and to outline her limitations. The following days shall confront us with the need to learn as much as possible about the origins, indications and new instruments with which Neuroendoscopy is becoming even more intimately entwined.
Finally I would like to thank all participants attending the congress, all speakers for their outstanding contributions, especially all sponsors and last not least Philippe Decq and Paolo Cappabianca and their teams for taking over the burden to organize this Congress. I wish the congress great success and hope for friendship under the neurosurgeons worldwide.
Bernhard L. Bauer MD.; PhD.
Professor emerit. of Neurosurgery Philipps University
Marburg/Germany
Senior Professor of Neurosurgery INI Hanover/Germany
President ISGNE
Message from Amin B. Kassam
Dear Colleagues,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Neuroendoscopy 2007 which represents the Second World Congress for Endoscopic Surgery of the Brain, Skull Base and Spine and the Fourth World Conference of the International Study Group of Neuroendoscopy. We believe this to be an exciting program and opportunity for valuable scientific discussion to determine the role of this evolving field. The program has taken a true multidisciplinary approach with neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, and radiologists coming together to share their experiences and teach one another. Based on the previous meeting, we are certain that this will prove to be a dynamic, warm and collaborative exchange of ideas, and the ideal venue in Paris offers an exciting social program for us to enjoy time with our friends.
Amin B. Kassam, MD, FRCS
Associate Professor and Interim Chair
Department of Neurological Surgery
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
Message from Philippe DECQ and Paolo CAPPABIANCA
Dear Colleagues and Friends
Welcome to Versailles and to NEUROENDOSCOPY 2007 which brings together the Fourth World Conference of the International Study Group of Neuroendoscopy (ISGNE) (previous meeting in Osaka 2001, Naples 2003 and Marburg 2005) and the Second World Congress for Endoscopic Surgery of the Brain, Skull Base and Spine (previous meeting in Pittsburgh 2005). It is a unique occasion to group together the surgeons around the world who are interested in Neuroendoscopy, neurosurgeons of course, but also ENT and orthopedic surgeons. We will share our respective experiences and debate the current questions and developments of the use of an endoscope in our fields. Five special round tables with international experts will surely lead to very interesting and fruitful discussions:
- The role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in children under the age of one
- The role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in communicating normal pressure hydrocephalus in adults
- The advantages of the use of an endoscope in pituitary surgery
- The advantages of the use of an endoscope in lumbar disk surgery whatever the chosen approach (posterior, lateral (foraminal) or anterior
- The advantages of the use of an endoscope in skull base midline intracranial tumours removal.
We are also very happy and proud to welcome the Annual Meeting of the Japanese Academy of Hydrocephalus (JAH) and the Meeting of the Section of Neuroendoscopy of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch) which will be held during the Conference.
The Conference will also welcome a specific session for nurses working in Neurosurgery to exchange experiences in caring for our patients.
The main goal of endoscopy is to offer an inside enlightened view into not easily reachable anatomical regions. Therefore, the meeting is placed under the sign of light, that of the top of the Eiffel tower and that of Versailles, capital of the “Sun King” Louis XIV, where we meet and we will do our utmost to ensure that this meeting takes place in a convivial and friendly atmosphere. Should you wish to extend your stay in Paris, we will do everything we can to help you make the most of the numerous attractions of the city and its surroundings.
Have a nice time in Versailles for NEUROENDOSCOPY 2007!
Philippe DECQ, Paolo CAPPABIANCA,
Presidents of Neuroendoscopy 2007
