EUROSON 2012, Madrid, Spain 22–24 April 2012

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This year Madrid was the European capital of ultrasound. EUROSON 2012 was held from 22–24 April 2012. As Madrid has the air of an important and also beautiful capital, this event was the most important European ultrasound meeting. This was demonstrated by the complex scientific programme, during the three days of congress, going through various aspects of the method, from common clinical applications of abdominal ultrasound (remembered in the marathon) to new areas of interest, such as contrast enhanced ultrasound and elastography, and forward to the lesser known areas where this method proves its applicability, such as dermatology, anesthesia, eye and orbit ultrasound.

As in previous years, the programme included three full scientific days, with several types of sessions: day courses with broad thematic sessions in specific areas, oral presentation sessions, Honorary Lectures, Lunch Symposia, Workshop Live Special with the topic – anesthesia, poster sessions.

Special moments of the event were the traditional lectures that brought into focus ultrasound personalities in various fields, with provocative themes: Hans Henrik Holm Lecture: Ultrasound of the muscle-tendon-bone unit – Michael Court-Payen (Denmark), DEGUM Lecture: Ultrasound in the delivery room – Karim Kalache (Germany), Therese Planiol Lecture: Quality control in ultrasound in obstetrics: present and future issues – Laurent Salomon (France), EUROSON Lecture: Role of vascular ultrasound in the era of non-invasive angioimaging – Boris Brkljacic (Croatia), WFUMB Lecture: Contrast enhanced EUS of pancreatic tumors – Masatoshi Kudo (Japan), and the special lecture Integrated clinical-ultrasound activity in hepatology, by Luigi Bolondi (Italy).

The Young Investigator Session, also a tradition of Euroson, was very interesting, including the most „hot“ topics in various areas of ultrasonography: interventional ultrasound, elastography, image fusion, ultrasound contrast, with representatives from 7 countries: Great Britain, Italy, Austria, The Netherlands, Romania, Denmark and Slovenia. The high attendance and the quality of the papers have demonstrated a special interest in research in ultrasound.

The scientific sessions addressed the current topics in the field and the latest technological developments, but also education in ultrasonography, the place of the student and of e-learning.

As in the other years the medical exhibition hosted the manufacturers that have presented their latest technology, both in the exhibition and during satellite symposia.

On the other hand, the organizers have prepared special surprises, as the Flamenco Show from the Gala Dinner, which, together with the wonderful city, and the interesting scientific meeting, made this a memorable event.

Dr. Alina Popescu
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Victor Babeș“ Timișoara