The pageantry and relaxed hospitality associated with The Big Easy were abundantly evident throughout the 2005 AANS Annual Meeting, held April 16-21 in New Orleans, but education and innovation in neurosurgery were the main attractions for the thousands of attendees.
The 73rd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons was planned by a 16-member committee that focused on creating a participatory meeting event intended to serve as a primary source of neurosurgical continuing medical education, to advance neuroscience research, and to promote excellence in clinical practice. Led by Richard G. Fessler, MD, annual meeting chair, and James T. Rutka, scientific program chair, the committee included Mitchel S. Berger, MD; Catherine Culicchia; Frank Culicchia, MD; Anthony L. D’Ambrosio, MD; Carlos A. David, MD; Jonathan A. Friedman, MD; Isabelle M. Germano, MD; Joseph A. Hlavin, PA-C; David F. Jimenez, MD; Timothy B. Mapstone, MD; Gail L. Rosseau, MD; Andrea Strayer, CNRN; Eve C. Tsai, MD; and Benjamin T. White, MD.
| Awards and Honors
Cushing Medal: Martin H. Weiss, MD Dr. Weiss received the Cushing Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the AANS. “I am in awe to be a member of this group,” he said. He was recognized as a premier pituitary surgeon who has generously served the profession in leadership positions over 34 years. Observing that no one operates in a vacuum, Dr. Weiss thanked his family, his mentors, and his neurosurgical colleagues for allowing him to do the things he wanted to do. Distinguished Service Award: John C. Van Gilder, MD Honorary Member: Armando J. Basso, MD Humanitarian Award: Tetsuo Tatsumi, MD Van Wagenen Fellow: Devin K. Binder, MD Louise Eisenhardt Resident Travel Scholarship: Martina Stippler, MD |
Neurosurgeons had the opportunity to earn 21 category 1 CME credits for attending the entire meeting, representing approximately one third of all credits required in the three-year cycle for AANS membership. Neurosurgeons additionally could earn 24 credits for attending some of the 80 breakfast seminars and 41 Saturday and Sunday practical clinics. For neuroscience nurses, 30.8 continuing nursing education contact hours were available.
Committee members chose a variety of topics that would appeal to a range of neurosurgeons and related medical professionals. In three plenary sessions, 137 oral presentations related new research findings. Eight studies thought to have an appeal beyond neurosurgery to the greater scientific community and to the general public were selected through a peer-review process for media release:
- “Intraventricular Passive Immunization Against Beta-Amyloid as a Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease in Transgenic Mice”
- “Age-Related Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow May Explain Worse Outcome in Female Head Trauma Patients”
- “Multicentric Phase III Study on Fluorescence-Guided Resection of Malignant Gliomas With 5-ALA: Preliminary Results on Interim Analysis of 270 Patients”
- “The Induction of Venous Collateral Circulation by Staged Separation of Craniopagus Twins”
- “Is There a ‘July Effect’ in Pediatric Neurosurgery at Teaching Hospitals?”
- “Changing Patterns of Traumatic Brain Injury Epidemiology and Mortality Risk”
- “Deep Brain Stimulation for Pain: A Meta-Analysis”
- “Prospective Blinded Outcome Assessments in Spinal Surgery”
Articles published on these topics and others presented at the annual meeting already have reached an estimated audience of 417 million people. An additional 40 million radio listeners are estimated to have heard about neurosurgical topics and the annual meeting directly from the 50 neurosurgeons who took part in Hometown Radio Interviews. The interviews paired each participating neurosurgeon with a seasoned broadcaster to craft an educational message about any aspect of neurosurgery for airplay in the neurosurgeon’s community. The medical liability crisis and deep brain stimulation for tremor and epileptic seizures are among the 60-second stories, available in MP3 format, which can be heard at www.soundtargeting.com/html/stories.html.
To assist them with effectively communicating important research and activities to the public through the media, meeting attendees were able to participate in a media training breakfast seminar as well as a media awards program that featured an interactive question and answer segment.After award presentation to journalists Vicki Mabrey of CBS 60 Minutes Wednesday for a program on normal pressure hydrocephalus, Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje of the San Antonio Express-News for a story on a paralyzed woman’s will to walk again, and Debi Chard of WCSC-TV in Charleston, S.C., for a feature on S.C. neurosurgeon volunteers in Iraq, reporters and neurosurgeons discussed what makes a good story and why media is necessary. Reporters stressed that the patient is a necessary component for personalizing the story and that reporters function as translators who explain complex ideas in layman’s terms. A Belgian neurosurgeon in attendance, Jacques Brotchi, said, “I favor the links between neurosurgeons and the media because [without them] the population does not know what we are doing. “
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| 2004-2005 AANS President Robert A. Ratcheson, MD, left, transfers the gavel to newly elected President Fremont P. Wirth, MD, whom Dr. Ratcheson recognized as an “outstanding gentleman and an outstanding individual.” Dr. Wirth accepted the gavel, saying, “It is a pleasure to assume this position, and I hope I can count on your support.” |
Three poster viewing sessions in the exhibit hall featured 498 posters, selected from several hundred submitted abstracts, that encapsulated significant scientific research. Ten of the top posters gained additional exposure by display on large screens in high traffic areas during the meeting. Category 2 continuing medical education credit was available both for those presenting and for those viewing posters.
Awards and honors bestowed at the annual meeting emphasized the highest ideals of neurosurgery. Named lectures honored both the namesakes and the lecturers who, at the apex of their professions, were asked to share their wealth of experience with their colleagues. This year Julian T. Hoff, MD, delivered the Richard C. Schneider Lecture on the topic “Maintaining Professionalism.” Darell Bigner, MD, discussed “Molecular Neurosurgery: Targeted Therapy of Brain Tumors” for the Ronald L. Bittner Lecture. Charles Warlow, PhD, made a compelling case for rigorous randomized trials in neurosurgery in his Van Wagenen Lecture. “The Search for a Cure for Paralysis Due to Spinal Cord Injury” was the topic of Robert G. Grossman, MD, for the Rhoton Family Lecture, while Henry J. Peter Ralston III, MD, discussed “Pain and the Primate Thalamus” in the Hunt-Wilson Lecture. Cushing medalist Martin H. Weiss, MD, offered a sampling of a lifetime’s experience in “Pituitary Surgery: A Surgical Odyssey,” the Theodore Kurze Lecture.
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| Edmund Morris delivers the Cushing Oration. |
How their medical conditions influenced the achievements of three prominent historical figures was the focus of biographer Edmund Morris in his 2005 Cushing Oration. Ludwig van Beethoven, Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, all subjects of Morris biographies, were scrutinized under his literary microscope. Morris introduced his subjects with a succinct characterization: “Reagan knew about as much about Beethoven as Beethoven knew about Reagan” while “Roosevelt’s idea of sublime music was ‘Hail to the Chief.’ “
Beethoven’s progressive deafness is well-known, but few are aware that he suffered repeated illnesses throughout his adult life and that his greatest music was written after he had completely lost his hearing. “All his art came out of his physiological condition,” Morris summarized. Roosevelt, a sickly boy whose response to his infirmity was fanatical exercise, reportedly said, “I’m going to live life to the hilt until I am 60 and then I’m going to die.” Morris termed Roosevelt’s energy drive “by any standards phenomenal” and noted that “When you compare the list of accomplishments to the list of ailments, ‘giant’ applies.” In contrast, Reagan, who lived what Morris called a charmed life for almost 70 years, used his “physical positivity”to stave off the effects of the assassination attempt against him. Morris, designated the official Reagan biographer during the Reagan presidency, noted that he never saw signs of neurological deterioration in Reagan, who it is now known suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, while he was in office.
In an early morning interview before his lecture, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer discussed some similarities in how he and a doctor might deal with their respective “patients,” first observing the surface, then palpating to locate sensitivities that need to be explored. With the curling Mississippi River framed in the picture window behind him, the Kenya-born and educated author also revealed a surprising boyhood inspiration for his fascination with American figures: Twain’s tale of a quintessential American adventurer, “Tom Sawyer.”
Members Cast Their Ballots at Annual Business Meeting
One of the meetings within the meeting, the joint annual business meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, a 501(c)(6) entity, and the American Association of Neurosurgeons, a 501(c)(3) organization, was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 18.
Meeting highlights included a vote on a member’s appeal to the general membership of his expulsion (the outcome is detailed in Governance, page 20). Secretary Jon H. Robertson, MD, detailed strong membership numbers, and Treasurer James R. Bean, MD, reported on the AANS’ robust financial health, asserting that “‘the outlook is very optimistic for this fiscal year and for 2006.”
Retiring board members were honored for their service, and voting members elected new officers. The 2005-2006 AANS Board of Directors includes officers Fremont P. Wirth, MD, president; Donald O. Quest, MD, president-elect; Robert L. Grubb Jr., MD, vice-president; Jon H. Robertson, MD, secretary; James R. Bean, MD, treasurer; and Robert A. Ratcheson, MD, past president; directors at large Robert E. Harbaugh, MD; Christopher M. Loftus, MD; James T. Rutka, MD; Warren R. Selman, MD; and Troy M. Tippett, MD; regional directors Jeffrey W. Cozzens, MD; Paul E. Spurgas, MD; Clarence B. Watridge, MD; and Edie E. Zusman, MD; Eugene S. Flamm, MD, historian; ex-officio members Rick Abbott, MD; Lawrence S. Chin, MD; Fernando G. Diaz, MD; Robert F. Heary, MD; Andres M. Lozano, MD; Dennis E. McDonnell, MD; Richard K. Osenbach, MD; Robert H. Rosenwasser, MD; Alex B. Valadka, MD; and Ronald E. Warnick, MD; and liaisons Isabelle M. Germano, MD; Mark G. Hamilton, MD; and Nelson M. Oyesiku, MD.
Dr. Ratcheson was honored for his year of service at the AANS helm in the manner tradition requires: with presentation of his state flag (Ohio) and the presidential portrait, which both had been displayed at the AANS Headquarters Office during his presidency, and a replica of the sterling silver cigarette box that commemorated Harvey Cushing’s two thousandth tumor operation.
Earlier in the day Dr. Ratcheson delivered the Presidential Address, “Fast Forwarding: The Evolution of Neurosurgery.” Offering his perspective on the state of neurosurgery today, he tackled several topics, among them medical liability reform, which he said “deserves everyone’s support,” the positive and negative consequences of resident duty hour restrictions, and complex issues related to neurosurgical emergency service.
The related topics of neurosurgical training and the neurosurgical workforce also were discussed. Noting that there are 5 percent fewer neurosurgeons practicing now than in 1998, Dr. Ratcheson warned that eight-year or nine-year training programs “may lead outstanding students to bypass neurosurgery.” He also observed, “We should reflect upon what we are missing when the great majority of women do not consider neurosurgery as a career.”
In his introduction of this former Van Wagenen Fellow, Dr. Wirth characterized Dr. Ratcheson as “someone who will do the right thing for the right reason at the right time,” and he said he had profited from Dr. Ratcheson’s wisdom and commitment to excellence and quality.
| Special Scientific Session — Neurosurgery With the Masters: In My Experience
Each of these master neurosurgeons shared his more than 30 years of experience with his colleagues. This well-attended program concluded the 2005 AANS Annual Meeting. |
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 James T. Rutka, MD, moderator |
 David G. Kline, MD, peripheral nerves |
Edward R. Laws Jr., MD, pituitary |
 Arnold H. Menezes, MD, spine |
 Albert L. Rhoton Jr., MD, microsurgical anatomy |
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Among the abundance of educational and social programs associated with the 2005 AANS Annual Meeting, the innovative Sunday evening opening reception was a memorable event. Taking its cue from a city that knows how to entertain, the innovative event, held at Mardi Gras World near the banks of the Mississippi, mimicked a Mardi Gras celebration. Party adventurers were treated to their own Mardi Gras parade and were coaxed into exploring the various entertainment and refreshments offered in each successive room, all against a backdrop of brightly painted, festive floats. Children were treated to balloons and face painting, while all could browse the float creations under construction in the workshop.
The final day of the annual meeting was as impressive as the first. Five breakfast seminars featured “meet the experts” in the fields of pediatric, cerebrovascular, lumbar spine, tumor and cervicothoracic spine neurosurgery. A socioeconomic session included an update from the AANS/CNS Washington Committee, a special lecture on managing managed care organizations, and the presentation of four papers reporting research on socioeconomic topics. The day, and the annual meeting, concluded with a well-attended special scientific session, Neurosurgery With the Masters: In My Experience, that featured presentations on peripheral nerve, pituitary and spinal neurosurgery, and microsurgical anatomy.
The 2006 AANS Annual Meeting, themed Meeting the Challenges of Neurosurgery: Expanding Resources for a Growing Population, will be held April 22-27 in San Francisco, Calif. As details of next year’s meeting become available, the information will be posted at www.aans.org/annual/2006.
Manda J. Seaver is staff editor of the Bulletin.