IRIA 2008

'IRIA 2009 would be Held in Patna'

The Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) held its 61st annual conference in Bangalore. Attended by over 2,800 delegates from all over the country, the conference was a grand success. Organisng Chairman of the conference and Professor and Head, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore Dr H Satishchandra spoke to Express Healthcare about the success of the event. Excerpts:

Dr H Satishchandra Organisng Chairman, IRIA 2008

What according to you were the main highlights of the IRIA 2008?

Participation in large numbers by national and international faculty as well as students from across the country. It also had excellent infrastructural support for scientific activities and industry expo and comprehensive and informative lectures.

Can you give us a brief picture on the topics and special sessions discussed in the event?

The conference was held between 17th and 20th of January. A pre-conference workshop covered important topics like infant hip, foetal thorax, ultrasound of small joints, cardiac CT, MRI of shoulder and knee. Participants had one on one interactive sessions at the workshops.

Over the next three days, there were lectures by national and international faculty along with refresher courses aimed at students. Few topics that grabbed attention were the various memorial orations, recent advances in MDCT and MRI, cardiac CT and various quizzes held at the end of each day for student delegates.

Which were the main debatable issues deliberated in the conference?

Cardiac CT vs MRI as a modality of choice for imaging the cardia, CT angiography Vs conventional angiography, role of newer modalities like whole body diffusion weighted imaging and elastography.

How did the committee decide on the topics and scientific presentations to be discussed?

The committee had exacted great effort to strike the right blend of topics chosen, radiological modalities used and modes of presentation employed. Problem-solving approach was the basis of topic selection. Refresher courses were chosen to provide an excellent overview of the topics.

Please name some international delegates who attended the conference?

The following is a list of the international faculty at the conference: Prof Lenny K A Tan, Singapore; Prof Reinhard Graf, Austria; Prof Leonard E Swischuk, US; Dr Manohar Shroff, Canada; Prof Thomas C Winter, US; Prof Wilfred C G Peh, Clinical Professor, Singapore; Dr Richard AR Coulden, UK; Prof Anil T Ahuja, Hong Kong; Dr Michael H Lev, US; Prof Sobhan Vinjamuri, Liverpool, UK; Prof Leslie Scoutt, US; Prof Marc Sapoval, France; Prof GT Krishnamurthy, US; Dr Mahesh K Shetty, US; Dr Raj Bhatt, UK; Dr Sanjiv J Chawda, UK; Dr K Jeyapalan, UK; Dr Ashok Kumar Nath, Sultanate of OMAN; Dr Siram Satyanath, USA; Dr Abdul Gafoor, UK; Dr Mohammad Aslam, UK; Dr Imran Syed, UK; Dr Murali Sundaram, US; Dr Ravi Padmanabhan, Australia; Dr Manpreet Singh Gulati, UK, Dr Iraj Radaei, Iran; Dr Shankar Raja, US; Dr Brijendra Rawat, Canada; Prof Kazuhiro Katada, Japan; Dr Gaurang Shah, USA; Dr A Anbarasu, UK and Dr Shetal N Shah.

What were the guidelines for the scientific presentations for the speakers and delegates?

That the presenting author should be a member of IRIA and must have registered for the conference, paper should have necessary quality and substance, interesting case reports may also be accepted but not for competition and material in the abstract must be original and must not have been published or presented previously at any national or international meeting .

Apart from the scientific sessions, can you briefly tell us about the exhibition stalls at the event?

The exhibition stalls at the scientific expo were exceptionally well organised and importantly all under one roof. Over 30 stalls of leading radiological equipment industries were present in one of the finest exhibition centres of the country. Delegates had ample space and options to choose from at the expo.

Were there any advanced products and technologies launched at this event?

Sanrad launched their 0.45 T open MRI, the highest open magnetic field strength available. Sanrad also launched portable CT scanners which is a significant development. Allengers medical system displayed their high frequency 50 kW X-ray generator and remote controlled radiography and fluoroscopy table manufactured indigenously at their facility in Chandigarh.

What do you feel are the biggest challenges in the field of radiology and imaging in our country?

To make the latest technological developments available to the general public at an affordable price. To ensure that imaging products are available in all corners of the nation, especially in the villages and the need for quality and well-trained radiologists in sufficient numbers to cater to the large population.

Apart from this conference, what has been the focus of IRIA in creating awareness among the masses?

The IRIA has been actively involved in promoting the use of tele-radiology so that expert diagnostic opinion can be availed of in remote centres making use of latest technology available in the metros.

The IRIA has also vigorously promoted the strict implementation of the PNDT Act and guidelines across the country, thereby decreasing the incidence of female foeticide and maintaining a healthy sex ratio.

Please brief us on the recent evolution and advances in radiology and imaging.

We have seen evolution in high resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound, fusion imaging (PET-CT), dual source and area detector CT, 3 Tesla MRI and its various applications and tele-radiology.

Where will the IRIA conference be held next year?

The next IRIA conference will be held at Patna, Bihar. Dr GN Singh will be the organising chairman and Dr Pragati Sinha will be the organising secretary.

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