ESGAR congress proves to be an international hub of scientific and interdisciplinary exchange

Nearly 1,400 individuals from 47 different countries attended the meeting, and several different organisations and societies were represented. The European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) and European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) took part in the lecture sessions, demonstrating their common desire to improve care for patients suffering from abdominal and gastrointestinal disorders.

The European Society of Radiology (ESR) was also involved and the first ESGAR-ESR leadership meeting took place, which addressed important Europe-wide issues, in particular, subspecialty radiology education in Europe. A joint session with the British Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (BSGAR) was held on the topic of 'The Radiologist as Clinician'.

This year's congress was presided over by Prof. Steve Halligan (University College London, UK) as meeting president. In the run up to the congress, Prof. Halligan pointed out the scientific and educational significance of the ESGAR congress. “Of course, scientific investigation forms the bedrock of our society and there will be several scientific sessions each day where trainees and established radiologists, as well as those from related imaging disciplines, will have the opportunity to present novel and important research findings”.

The postgraduate course, traditionally held on the first day of the meeting, was another important element of the congress and this year it focused on luminal gut imaging; now and in the future. In all, 180 speakers delivered a total fifteen hours of invited lectures, three dedicated interventional radiology sessions, two research centre sessions and 36 workshops. There were also fifteen scientific sessions where original research findings were presented and participants could also browse through 200 electronic posters, which were submitted specifically for the congress.

ESGAR is one of the largest of the subspecialties affiliated with the ESR. It was founded in 1989, initially as the European Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists, and this year marks its 23rd annual congress. The society has witnessed a steady growth in membership since its foundation and since 2011 has over 1,000 members. The society works closely with similar societies around the world.

The next ESGAR congress will take place in Barcelona, on June 4-7, 2013. It will continue as a forum for strengthening ties between European radiologists and societies as well as providing an opportunity for researchers to share their findings.

Contact:
Central ESGAR Office
Nina Morpurgo
Neutorgasse 9
1010 Vienna, Austria
Phone: +43 1 535 89 27
E-Mail: nmorpurgo@esgar.org