Conferences

It is not surprising that the invention of motor cars and airplanes was not considered 2000 or even 200 years ago, due to the abscence of their socio-economic necessity. However, it is surprising that inventions for optic glasses and microscopes remained fairly delayed, not only to advance scientific research, but also to help those people with inherited or acquired weakness of their visual functions. It is indeed astonishing that Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen 915-1039), astronomer and mathematician, initially an engineer for hydraulics, who examined such phenomena as the rainbow, atmospheric refraction, mirror and lentiform crystals, and, notably, the anatomy and physiology of the eye, and wrote the famous book on optics (Kitab el-Menazir), which became widely influential in Europe, but he failed to consider developing an optical aid. The first single lens “spectacles” were manufactured in Florence, Italy (1303-1313), but the demand for them remained low until the invention of cheap books in the 17th century. The manufacture of sophisticated eye glasses with individual diopters, the availability of contact lenses, and finally laser surgery of the cornea, required 600 years of diligent research.At the end of the 16th century and beginning of the 17th century simple microscopes and telescopes were constructed in the Netherlands and Italy. Interestingly, periods of devastating epidemics and several wars in Europe did not inhibit the incessant endeavors of manufacturers, glass grinders, mathematicians, astronomers, scientists, and even philosophers (Descartes, Spinoza). The upheaval of the industrial revolution in England between 1770 and 1825 culminated in the production of achromatic microscopes without spherical aberration. The formulation of the equation “angular aperture” in 1880 by Ernst Abbe at Zeiss Company in Jena, Germany, allowed the serial production of high quality microscopes and telescopes. Advances in the entire field of neurosciences, particularly in integral neurophysiology, EEG, MEG, angiography, CT, MRI and ultrasound technologies constitute today the prime and essential components of neuro-diagnosis and neuro-therapies. Within the past 50 years, neurosurgery has experienced a great number of technological innovations, such as the introduction of stereotactic technology, operating microscope, bipolar coagulation technology, bipolar forceps, different sizes and shapes of temporary and permanent vessel and aneurysm clips, microsutures, ultrasound devices to identify the deep localized lesions, ultrasound microflowmeter, ultrasonic suction, ultrasonic microdrill apparatus, high speed drill apparatus, flexible and rigid endoscopy technology, intraoperative stimulation and monitoring technology, intraoperative tractography using diffusion tensor mapping, and anisotropic diffusion weighted MRI which provides spatial and directional information of the neuronal fibers, gradient respondent gamma surgery, and intensity modulated radiation therapy. Modern operating rooms offer hitherto unimagined technologies for the accurate targeting of the lesions, and their complete elimination without endangering adjacent normal structures and functions. A great number of lesions localized in so-called eloquent areas of the CNS, and defined as inoperable, are, at the present time, explored on a routine basis and successfully treated in many centers. The above qualification of a fully equipped department with a team of expert personnel represent ideal working conditions.One of the axioms guiding open societies is the issue of ethics, desiring us to respect the rights, freedom and dignity of each individual and, in cases of illness, requiring us to fulfill each patient’s claim to equal benefit from advances in medicine and surgery. Our professional goal is to further improve diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and to ensure their availability globally to each and every individual.