First PGIMER Interventional Neuroradiology Conference (PINCON-2017) Starts

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Chandigarh 06^th October:- The Day-1 of the first PGIMER interventional neuroradiology conference (PINCON 2017) started today and was inaugurated today by Prof Emeritus and Former Head of Neurosurgery department, PGIMER and Former Director of GMCH, Chandigarh Prof. VK KAK. The Guest of Honor was Prof SN Mathuria who spoke about development of neurointervention field at PGIMER Chandigarh. Prof N Khandelwal, Chairperson of the conference and Head, Department of Radiodiagnosis and imaging, PGIMER welcomed the delegates. Vote of thanks was delivered by Organizing Secretary Prof Vivek Gupta.

The first day was attended by over 100 experts and delegates in the field of Neurointervention from India and abroad. Prof Markus from Germany who is a leading figure in this field shared his experiences with microstents use in treating brain aneurysms. Dr R Padmanabhan from UK discussed his technique of balloon assisted coiling of the aneurysms. Prof I Grunwald  from UK, updated the audience on how to treat very small aneurysms. All the leading names in the field on neurointervention in India were present for the conference.

The cerebral aneurysms are a disease in which the artery (blood carrying channel to the brain) becomes weak and dilates leading to aneurysm formation which is like a blood filled balloon in brain. When this bursts it causes bleeding in the brain with devastating results. Traditionally these were treated by opening up brain and applying a clip on them. Now an evolving field of neurointervention is gradually replacing surgery as the treatment is done through a small hole in the groin without any brain handling or scars. This leads to faster recovery with lesser side effects for the patient. The flip side is that this treatment needs skills of high standards hence is not available everywhere and is costly when compared to the clipping.

Patients come to know about this condition either during CT/MRI of brain during routine medical screening or when the aneurysm bursts giving rise to severe headache and vomiting. It's said that this headache is like having "worst headache of your life" which is not resolved by medical treatment and one should warn patient to seek expert help.