For neurosurgeons looking to debate the latest neurological research, enhance their clinical skills, and strategize about socioeconomic issues, Colorado was the place to be this spring. The 65th Annual Meeting of The American Association of Neurological Surgeons was held April 12-17 in Denver. More than 5,202 neurosurgeons, neuroscience nurses, physician assistants, and other professionals participated.
Robert A. Ratcheson, MD, served as Annual Meeting Chairman, and the meeting combined a solid Scientific Program of eight scientific sessions, 28 hands-on clinics, and 76 educational seminars, with a strong docket on the current socioeconomic issues facing neurosurgery.
The Scientific Program, chaired by William Chandler, MD, featured 127 research papers and 550 poster exhibits. A series of special 3-D video seminars offered through the meeting allowed surgeons to view real-time brain and skull base surgery. Attendees also had the opportunity to view more than 520 technical and institutional exhibits on display.
Program Highlights
The Richard C. Schneider Lecture was given by L.N. Hopkins, MD, Professor and Chairman of Neurosurgery at the State University of New York at Buffalo, who focused on the history and future of vascular surgery. Dr. Hopkins emphasized the relatively short history of cerebrovascular surgery and the important advances in endovascular surgery during the 1990s. He also stressed the future of minimally invasive endovascular procedures in treating vascular abnormalities and accessing other intracranial and spinal abnormalities such as tumors.
J. Charles Rich, MD, the 64th President of the AANS, delivered his Presidential Address following the Schneider Lecture. His topic was “In Times of Change, Learners Inherit the Earth.” The full text of Dr. Rich’s remarks will be published in the December issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery. In the meantime, his comments, as well as the complete Schneider Lecture and other major presentations, are available on audiotape. To obtain an order form, write InfoMedix at 12800 Garden Grove Blvd., Suite F, Garden Grove, CA 92643, or call (800) 367-9286.
On Tuesday, April 15, former U. S. Secretary of Education William J. Bennett, PhD, gave the Cushing Oration, speaking on the topic “In Defense of Western Civilization.” The Tuesday program also featured a special lecture, by Raymond L. White, PhD, Director of Huntsman Cancer Institute and Chairman of the Department of Oncological Sciences at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, who discussed new means of diagnosis and intervention in brain cancer cell development, including the role of tumor suppresser genes.
The highlight of Wednesday’s Scientific Program was the “Decade of the Brain Symposium,” which examined the “Fundamental Enigmas: Neurosurgery’s Principle Challenges and Progress Toward Solutions.” Moderated by Michael L.J. Apuzzo, MD, and Charles Hodge, MD. Presentations covered such topics as craniocerebral trauma, functional restoration after spinal cord injury, management of degenerative spine diseases, and molecular biology and genetics in understanding and control of neoplastic invasion. Symposium speakers stressed recent innovative concepts and methods that offer promise for resolution of these barriers.
Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting concluded the day’s events on Monday April 14. Outgoing Secretary Martin Weiss, MD, reported on the Association’s activities for the past year, and Treasurer Stewart Dunsker, MD, provided an update on AANS finances. In addition, Edward R. Laws, Jr., MD, was installed as the 65th President of the AANS. Finally, an appeal from a member whose membership had been suspended by the Board of Directors was heard by the AANS voting membership. The outcome of the appeal is reported (see bottom right corner of this page).
Members Honored
In addition to the scientific programming, several members were honored for their contributions to the field of neurosurgery and the AANS:
- Robert G. Ojemann, MD, Professor of Surgery at the Harvard Medical School, received the 1997 Cushing Medal, the Association’s highest honor. He was recognized for his many years of outstanding leadership and dedication to the field of neurosurgery. A consummate physician and educator, Dr. Ojemann also has made important research contributions in the areas of cerebrovascular neurosurgery, acoustic neuroma surgery, normal pressure hydrocephalus, cerebellar infarction, and hemorrhage.
- Robert White, MD, PhD, of Cleveland, Ohio, received the 1997 Humanitarian Award in recognition of his many years of dedication to neurological science, medicine, and community service. Dr. White is internationally known for his expertise in clinical brain surgery and for his contributions to the basic understanding of the central nervous system. He has made more than 50 trips to the former Soviet Union, serving as mentor, lecturer, consultant, and friend to neurosurgeons and political figures throughout the country. He also serves as a member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
- Ernest W. Mack, MD, of Reno, Nevada, received the 1997 Distinguished Service Award for his service to the medical field and neurosurgery. Dr. Mack was honored for the pivotal role he played in the establishment of the School of Medicine at the University of Nevada through the development of the Washoe Medical Center.
Outstanding Researchers
A number of outstanding researchers were also singled out for honors, including:
- William H. Sweet, Young Investigator Award in Pain Medicine: “Trigeminal Neuralgia, Multiple Sclerosis, and Microvascular Decompression” — Giovanni Broggi, MD.
- Preuss Resident Award: “Chromosome 11 Abnormalities Are the Most Frequent of Multiple Aberrations Detected in Pituitary Adenomas by Comparative Genomic Hybridization” — Andrew K. Metzger, MD.
- Mahaley Clinical Research Award: “Safety and Efficacy of Malignant Glioma Radiosurgery: A Long-Term Perspective” — Douglas S. Kondziolka, MD.
- Young Investigator Award: “What Determines a Benign Glioma Phenotype” — Scott Litofsky, MD.
- Brain Tumor Award: Roberta Glick, MD.
- Joint Section on Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery Resident Award: “Electrophysiological Heterogeneity of Astrocyte Ion Current Mechanisms” — Guy M. McKhann II, MD.
- Kenneth Shulman Memorial Award: T.S. Park, MD.
In addition, Zelma Kiss, MD, was named the 1997 Van Wagenen Fellow. Her research has focused on human neurophysiology using intraoperative microelectrode recording. She is currently completing work on her PhD thesis which is entitled “Plasticity in the Adult Human Somatosensory System.” Dr. Kiss will use the fellowship to study in the laboratory of Alim Benabid, MD, at the University Hospital of Grenoble, France, learning different techniques for stereotactic targeting; the use of semi-microelectrodes and a 5-electrode array for unit recordings; and the use of clinical assessment of rigidity in the operating room for selection of DBS and lesion targets.