Welcome to ECR 2010
It is my great pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to the European Congress of Radiology, the flagship meeting of the European Society of Radiology, which over the years has become the central event in our specialty. For five days Vienna will be the world capital for radiologists with an interest in science, education and the development of our discipline. The goal of the ECR is to promote the highest quality radiology based on science and education.
This year the ECR is running under the motto ‘virtuosity in radiology’, which signifies the importance of the mastery and skills necessary to practise and develop our specialty. This idea is inspired by the virtuosity of Fryderyk Chopin, the world famous Polish romantic composer and pianist, who is being honoured worldwide in 2010 with the celebration of International Chopin Year.
The Programme Planning Committee and the highly professional and devoted team at the ESR Office have been working hard over the last two years, shaping the details of a high-standard congress programme. We paid meticulous attention to your needs and expectations and we hope that this is reflected in the quality of the final programme. The spirit of innovation that characterises radiology, is well represented in all the sessions, and we believe that everyone will find something inspiring and stimulating in the ECR 2010 programme.
Abstract submission has once again exceeded all expectations. The radiological community can be proud to have registered a rise of submitted abstracts by over 10% for this year. The European Congress of Radiology has evolved into an event with a worldwide reputation, which this year is reflected by a significant increase in the number of presenters from Asia, South and Central America, and Africa. Among the top 15 countries with the highest number of accepted abstracts are Japan, China, South Korea, the United States, and India, proving that ECR is truly a global event.
The ECR provides a unique opportunity for participants to interact, learn and impart knowledge in the various fields of radiology. The possibility to attend sessions presenting progress outside of our own subspecialty is one of the great advantages of general radiological meetings, allowing us to keep abreast of developments in all radiological disciplines.
By developing, evolving and perfecting techniques and technologies in diagnostic imaging, radiologists have moved medicine into new frontiers, which demands changes in the focus and pattern of our own work. To remain the key players in relations with our clinical colleagues we have to enrich our knowledge in basic science and stay up to date with advances in pathology and disease management. ECR 2010 is promoting our relationship with clinicians by launching multidisciplinary sessions dedicated to the management of patients with cancer, which will be an ideal platform for discussions with oncologists and
surgeons. In the ‘ESR meets neurologists’ session we will also see multidisciplinary debate on the management of acute stroke patients. Technical development is a driving force of our discipline. Industry actively involved in research in all radiological fields will be present via satellite symposia, workshops and in another outstanding technical exhibition, which I strongly recommend you visit.
I am immensely grateful to everyone involved in the preparation of ECR 2010, especially to the national and subspecialty societies and the many colleagues who contributed so much to the scientific and educational programme. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all the members of the ESR Office for their dedication, expertise and hard work in creating a successful congress.
I wish you a great time in Vienna!
04.03.2010