Prof Elliot Fishman hosted at MDCT Congress 2011

The congress was co-ordinated by internationally recognised radiologist, Dr Elliot Fishman, professor of radiology and oncology and head of computed tomography (CT) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, USA. Since the 1980s Fishman and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins University have worked with Siemens Healthcare to develop and improve imaging technology and to reduce the amount of radiation that patients are exposed to without jeopardising image quality.

Professor Fishmann and member of his faculty from Hopkins University were very well received by the RSSA. Although many of the topics shared by the visiting professor were techniques and methodologies which are currently practiced in South Africa, the congress served to affirm current practices.

Education, important for skills development

"New information presented will encourage members of the radiological society to ensure the highest levels of patient care in Southern Africa," says Andrew Forder, country divisional lead - HIM at Siemens Healthcare, which was a platinum sponsor of the event. "Education remains an important part of continued skills development in South Africa and Siemens was proud to be associated with this initiative."

He adds that the company recognises the important role CT plays in diagnosis within numerous disciplines in the medical field including oncology, abdominal and heart disease. "CT is becoming increasingly essential in defining both the diagnosis and the treatment therapy," says Forder. "Siemens makes a significant investment each year in research and development in order to ensure that our products and technology are cutting edge and state of the art. Much of our development is done in collaboration with leaders in their field such as Professor Fishman."

A global leader in the medical imaging environment, Siemens has a good relationship with the RSSA, with a number of members making use of Siemens scanners. Professor Fishman, a leader in the area of CT scanning, is also an ardent supporter of Siemens CT scanners.

Raising the bar in radiology

Professor Fishman considers one of his roles to be raising the bar in the field of radiology. He is one of the world's leading authorities on CT and the author of numerous textbooks on the subject and was named the top Radiologist in the US by "Medical Imaging" in 2006. He is also a sought after speaker at both educational and scientific meetings. In 1999 he launched a website - CtisUS.com - which is widely acknowledged as the best resource of its kind on the Internet for advice on CT Imaging.

The congress focused on 64-slice MDCT as well as newer systems including dual-source CT scanners such as the Siemens Somatom Definition AS.

The programme consisted of a series of 40-minute lectures designed to concentrate on specific topics in-depth, including state-of-the-art technology and software. Participants had the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the latest concepts and principles of spiral/helical CT, thoracic CT, cardiac CT and CTA, the uses of CT in the GI tract, including the liver, spleen and kidneys, as well as virtual colonoscopy and imaging the oncologic patient.