Report of the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine

 

This major event in the American Institute's calendar was this year held in the Marriot Marquis Hotel in Times Square New York.

The scientific programme was very attractive with a pre convention programme on the Thursday and then three full days of science. The Meet "the Professor Sessions" early in the morning and at lunch time were over subscribed. Most of the rest of programme was taken up with scientific sessions. Just Images Sessions, where the emphasis was on reviewing numbers of images, leading to a diagnosis together with categorical courses giving state of the art lectures on a wide variety of subjects. Most of the time there were four or five parallel sessions so that everyone was catered for. The Film Panel Sessions and some of the Just Images Sessions had audience participation with electronic voting which was very successful. Less experienced delegates were able to enrol for Hands on Sessions gaining tuition from many experts particularly in 3 D ultrasound. The Oral Sessions were supplemented by an extensive scientific poster exhibit, Case of the Day challenges and a large technical exhibition.

As someone with fairly diverse interests both within ultrasound and using other modalities it is interesting how comparison with other techniques especially MRI in fetal work has become an important feature of these meetings recognising how many involved in ultrasound use this as only one of their tools amongst a whole range of available techniques. The widespread availability of 3D and 4 D ultrasound has produced a new dimension and now these machines are more widely available it is becoming clear what a great impact this technology can have in a number of areas.

To someone who is very used to the extensive social programme provided by BMUS, the rather limited social programme provided at AIUM is somewhat disappointing. However in a venue such as New York such a programme would perhaps be superfluous as there are many competing attractions in New York particularly the Broadway theatres, extensive choice of restaurants and the inevitable shopping!

Certainly for this delegate the meeting matched up to the high standards of previous AIUM Annual Meetings. The possibility of listening to and talking to some of the biggest names in ultrasound has always been one of the attractions of this meeting. Next years meeting is in San Diego California, the other side of the continent but with equally diverse attractions. I am sure anyone going to the meeting cannot fail to be impressed.