The EANS2024 Annual Congress kicked off with the Pre-Congress Courses, the EANS & World Neurosurgery Ambassadors sessions, a variety of Joint Symposia, and our Annual General Meeting taking place at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia! This year’s congress moto is “Innovation, Education, Leadership”, which sets the stage for our daily picks and featured highlights and reflects the current need to thoroughly discuss the future of neurosurgery in connection with technological advances that can improve neurosurgical education, training and treatment, aiming to create the next leaders of neurosurgery in Europe and all over the globe.
The first day of the EANS Congress in Sofia showed an example of collaboration with the participation of several international societies in joint sessions and symposia. An excellent highlight was the EANS & Spine Societies Joint Symposium that brought together spine experts from AO SPINE, Eurospine, WFNS, CSRS, who discussed the latest advancements in spine surgery covering a wide range of topics.
The participants also enjoyed stimulating hands-on sessions such as the Intraoperative Ultrasound Symposium and the highly anticipated Neurotrauma Crash Course, whereas the Building Brain Health in Europe Session, organized in cooperation with EBC, and the EANS & World Neurosurgery Ambassadors Symposium showcased the commitment of the EANS to promote global cooperation for the betterment of neurosurgical practice across the world.
The day came to an end in the best possible way, with the Opening Ceremony and the Welcome Reception leaving everyone with great impressions. The first day was undoubtedly a success, and we are looking forward to the following days!
EANS Research Committee: Shaping the Future of Neurosurgical Research
As we start the EANS 2024 Congress, the EANS Research Committee is excited to share the dynamic initiatives ahead. Since the highlight of each year for our committee is the organisation of the EANS Research Course, we’re thrilled to offer attendees a first-hand glimpse during the Sofia Congress!
Our “teaser” session will cover essential topics such as pre-clinical research, drug screening for neurovascular diseases, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis. Most importantly, we’ll explore why neurosurgeons should be actively involved in research. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from our top-notch speakers and experience the condensed, impactful educational program we’ve prepared. Join us on Tuesday, October 15th, in the Member’s Lounge from 14:00 to 15:30!
Future research courses will offer an even broader scope, with insights into both laboratory and clinical research. Topics will include Artificial Intelligence, multicentre studies, and foundational tools for young investigators eager to advance their research careers.
The committee also plays a crucial role in the evaluation of the prestigious Aesculap Award. This year, the competition was as fierce as ever, with brilliant finalists presenting their research during the Research Course. Ultimately, two outstanding awardees, Dr. Gerritsen and Dr. Eisenkolb, were selected based on their presentations and will receive their awards on Wednesday, October 16th at 15:50. Our other finalists—Drs. Drexler, Sebök, Ng, Maier, and Jung—were equally impressive, contributing significantly to neurosurgical research.
Looking ahead, the committee aspires to take an active role in shaping the future of European research by fostering and coordinating multicentre trials. By providing a platform for collaboration across Europe, we aim to enhance the quality of neurosurgical research and drive innovative breakthroughs.
Last but not least, the EANS Research Committee is always seeking new members who wish to contribute to our efforts. If you’re interested do not hesitate getting in touch with us! We hope to be able to play a role in advancing neurosurgical research, creating opportunities for emerging researchers, and fostering continuous knowledge exchange within our community.
Highlights of the IM Committee’s 2024 Initiatives
The 2024 activities of the Individual Membership Committee not only enhanced the society’s visibility and engagement but also provided tangible benefits to its members, advancing both their professional growth and sense of community. The committee focused on several key areas. Each initiative was designed to deliver high-quality scientific content, networking opportunities, and personalized resources to meet members’ evolving needs.
One of the primary achievements was the successful completion of a Social Media Plan, backed by a member survey, ensuring that content shared on these platforms was specifically tailored to the interests of the society’s members. The plan also involved writing a publication for the “Brain and Spine Journal” after presenting the analysis of the results at the EANS Board Meeting.
Webinars were another key component, not only providing valuable scientific content but also enabling members to share constructive ideas. By offering accreditation for webinars and updating the membership database, the IM Committee maximized the value members receive from their involvement in the society. The committee is also preparing a Podcast Series that will highlight society insights and thought leadership within neurosurgery.
The committee is also excited to announce the development of the EANS App, that signifies a progressive move toward digital innovation and it is a major step in ensuring members have seamless access to society content, events, and updates, enhancing their overall experience, offering members streamlined access to society activities.
Finally, the IM Committee played a pivotal role as a parliamentary body within the society, representing the interests and voices of all individual members. This committee served as a crucial intermediary between the leadership and the wider membership base, ensuring that member concerns and ideas are heard and acted upon.
Through its 2024 achievements, the committee has proven to be an essential driving force in enhancing member engagement and laying the foundation for continued excellence and leadership in neurosurgery.
EANS2024 AGM: Expanding Horizons in Neurosurgery
The EANS2024 AGM was successfully held in a fully packed hall…and now we have some exciting information and news to share!
EANS office holders presented their reports with their annual activities and highlighted the desire to create new collaborations with other partner societies, while “keeping and improving the spirit of the EANS”. Marike Broekman, the EANS Treasurer, presented the past year’s financial report, spotlighting the society’s primary focus on educational courses.
When it comes to our Individual Members, we are thrilled to announce that our EANS family has grown significantly, counting 2.519 individual members in total, as the Individual Membership Committee Chair, Marisa Gandia, announced. Furthermore, we are more than happy to welcome the Maltese Association of Neurologists & Neurosurgeons to the EANS family!
The AGM also voted to give the mandate to the EANS Board to move forward with the very significant project to create a Code of Conduct that will act as the drive and guideline for the protection of the EANS Community Members from any kind of misbehaviour or mistreatment.
Wilco Peul, the Chief-Editor of Brain & Spine, the official journal of EUROSPINE and EANS, presented some intriguing data regarding the recent milestones of the journal. Having achieved an impressive Impact factor of 1,9 just three years after its launch, the journal’s success reflects the collaborative efforts and the new possibilities that have opened up for even more growth! In addition, Wilco highlighted the fact that submissions to the Brain & Spine’s Special Topic Issue on Spinal Cord Injury Management are open. This is the time to dive into the latest research and explore cutting-edge developments in Machine Learning, Advanced Imaging, Regenerative Medicine, and Biomarkers—curated by leading experts Michael G. Fehlings, Narihito Nagoshi, and Peter Vajkoczy.
Pablo González-López was elected as the new Training Course Chair-Elect, to work alongside Martin Lehecka and continue the excellent development of the EANS Training Courses for the years 2026 and 2027. We wish Pablo the very best in this new role and look forward to the leadership that he will bring to the Training Courses!
We left the best for last… The EANS2024 Annual General Meeting voted for the 2029 and 2030 destinations of the Annual EANS Congress. Let’s have some drum rolls for the announcement of the winners…
EANS2030 in Copenhagen
EANS2024 Opening Ceremony: A taste of the Bulgarian Spirit
What a Show! This year’s Opening Ceremony left everyone thrilled!
In a technologically driven and atmospheric setting, we got to experience Bulgarian history and art at its absolute best; Different kinds of dances and performances showcasing Bulgaria’s traditions, music and culture, took us to an amazing trip to the past, present and future of the EANS2024 Congress host country.
During the ceremony, the EANS President, Torstein R. Meling, awarded Pierre-Hugues Roche for his exceptional service to European Neurosurgery, recognizing his remarkable contributions to the field. Jacques Brotchi was also given the award of EANS Lifetime Achievement by the EANS2024 Congress President, Nikolay Gabrovsky, in recognition by the EANS for all the efforts made to improve knowledge, master surgical techniques, and promote education to the benefit of the patients.
The Opening Ceremony was followed by a welcome reception at the exhibition area. It was a chance for participants and industry partners to unwind, engage in lively conversations, and relax in the enchanting Sofia night!
Join the #EANS2024 Social Campaign!
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