Modern imaging processes are essential for a reliable diagnosis and consequential treatment of pulmonary disease. Particularly in recent years, improved methods have contributed to the understanding of disease mechanisms and, based on this, to the establishment of therapeutic measures for those affected. To unite the worldwide expertise in the field of lung imaging procedures and thus generate new research approaches, in 2002 the IWPFI was brought to life.  Following the start in Philadelphia (USA), further meetings were held in Japan, Scotland and Korea amongst other countries. This year, specialists from throughout the world met at the 10th workshop in Hanover. The approximately 140 participants travelled considerable distances to attend the workshop – from Australia to Canada and South Korea – and a total of twelve nations were represented.

Prof. Dr. Jens Vogel-Claussen from the Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at Hannover Medical School (MHH), together with his working group, specializes in lung imaging procedures. At BREATH, the Hannover site of the DZL, he is involved in platform imaging. As the Meeting President of this year‘s IWPFI, he took the opportunity to bring the DZL and the international experts from the IWPFI together. „It was a great honor for me to be able to bring this excellent meeting to Hannover. Through personal meetings and direct exchanges, many new connections have been identified for cooperations“, said Vogel-Claussen. The lecture program was based on disease areas focussed at the DZL, such as asthma, lung cancer or COPD, complemented by presentations on the latest technical developments in lung imaging and the microstructure of the lung. All those who could not be present had the possibility to participate in the meeting online.

The younger generation of scientists presented their work in a poster session. Among the 42 scientific presentations, the three best were honored with a poster prize. Sophia Pankoke from Hanover, a doctoral student at the Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy at the MHH and member of the DZL Academy, was awarded Third Prize. In recognition of his lifetime contribution to the field of pulmonary functional imaging Prof. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Kauczor was presented with the John B. West Award. 

The resonance from the participants was entirely positive. The largest proportion of the success of the event was the internationally top class panel of speakers. (Link to Program). All presentations were recorded on video. If you are interested, please  contact Prof. Vogel-Claussen (vogel-claussen.jens@mh-hannover.de). 

We would like to thank all sponsors and helpers, who have made this event possible.
 

Text: BREATH/AB

Fotos: Jesse Wiebe