The Fourth Asian-Oceanian Congress of Neuroradiology and Head &amp; Neck Radiology

Jae Hyoung Kim; Kee-Hyun Chang

The Fourth Asian-Oceanian Congress of Neuroradiology and Head & Neck Radiology (AOCNHNR) was held on September 21–25, 2001, in Seoul, Korea, in conjunction with the meeting of World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology (WFITN). Here, we briefly summarize the events of the Fourth AOCNHNR meeting, the official congress of Asian-Oceanian Society of Neuroradiology and Head & Neck Radiology (AOSNHNR).

In this Fourth AOCNHNR Congress, 385 registered participants, including 160 international participants from 23 countries, were present. Scientific programs were organized to provide the delegates with useful education and to share professional experiences. The program included three refresher course sessions, two symposium sessions, nine special lectures, three luncheon lectures, and 144 scientific paper presentations (40 oral and 104 poster exhibits). The topics of three refresher course sessions were head and neck, interventional neuroradiology, and selected brain pathologies. The two symposium sessions included ear disease and cerebral vascular disease. Each of the sessions consisted of three or four presentations. The special and luncheon lectures covered topics on functional MR imaging, virtual endoscopy, multisection CT, new contrast materials, spinal cord, and cranial and peripheral nerves. More than 90% of oral presenters used computer-linked projector for their presentations, and many of them used digital motion images. Because these images reflected the rapid advances in three-dimensional and dynamic imaging, a new method of presentation was needed to replace the traditional use of lantern projection. In the technical exhibits, 24 companies displayed their recent technical advances and new equipment.

In addition to the academic sessions, social programs were arranged for the participants to promote international friendship and introduce them to Korean culture. An opening reception was held, as well as two dinner parties and a half-day sightseeing tour to the Korean Folk Village approximately 40 km south of Seoul. One dinner party was a joint banquet with the WFITN.

On the fifth day, Professor Kee-Hyun Chang, the Organizing Committee Chair, ended the meeting with a brief speech and told the participants that future meetings would provide them all with a good opportunity to share their professional experiences, promote international friendship, and contribute to the progress and advancement of AOSNHNR, which is currently in its beginning stage. The first AOCNHNR congress was held in Kumamoto, Japan, in 1994, and the meeting is scheduled to be held in various Asian regions every 2–3 years. The next meeting will be held in Beijing, China, in 2004.

Fig 1.

A photograph taken at the Korea House, a traditional Korean restaurant, where the faculty, chairpersons, and national delegates enjoyed Korean food, music, and dances. From left to right, Jung Ho Suh (Congress Chair), Michael Sage (Immediate Past-President of the AOSNHNR), Kee-Hyun Chang (President of the AOSNHNR), Mutsumasa Takahashi (founding President of the AOSNHNR), Dong Ik Kim (Secretary General/Treasurer of the AOSNHNR).