EANS2025 Day 5
A Grand Finale of Education and Collaboration
Day 5 in Vienna sparkled with nonstop scientific excitement. Early sessions set the tone – spine groups dissected multicenter studies and debated new approaches for tumour, degenerative, and infectious pathologies. Neuro-oncology brought striking advances in intraoperative imaging, liquid biopsy, and proteomics for glioma and meningioma care. Trauma experts presented innovative prediction models and shared vital experience on war-related injuries, chronic subdural hematoma, and cranioplasty outcomes. Functional and degenerative spine topics revealed dramatic progress in AI-aided outcome prediction and patient-centered surgical techniques, affirming Vienna as a hotbed for global neurosurgery innovation.
Skull base symposiums showcased state-of-the-art endonasal and transorbital reconstructions, nuanced strategies for pituitary and cranial fossa cases, and new paradigms for risk assessment. Spine tumor and infections showed impressing results on eloquent schwannomas and spondylodiscitis. Sessions for function preservation elevated best practices in mapping language and motor networks, and spotlighted brain plasticity metrics for optimising patient outcomes. Peripheral nerve panels explored everything from complex brachial plexus repairs to novel strategies for thoracic outlet syndrome, sharing invaluable new knowledge for restoring limb function and improving lives.
Education and pediatric topics came together in vibrant workshops, lively masterclasses, and international forums. Highlights included digital simulation, augmented reality, and clinical excellence in training, blended with major updates in pediatric tumour diagnostics, outcome measures, and collaborative strategies for humanitarian challenges. The fusion of technical mastery and global partnership energised the community – every learner and every leader pushing for better care at every stage of life. We finished on global neurosurgery and pediatrics, with important highlights and insightful presentations broadening our understanding beyond our comfort zones.
With enthusiasm and a sense of unity, Day 5 closed on a high note – celebrating innovation and collaboration that define EANS and thanking all the actors involved.
EANS2025 Vienna Congress challenged everyone to think boldly and work together, setting the stage for another unforgettable gathering. Thank you, Vienna, for an unforgettable week! Ready for even greater adventures?
See you in Hamburg for the EANS2026 Congress!
Building Bridges and Opening Doors
Dear friends and colleagues,
Two years ago, I stood before you and shared a vision: “Building Bridges and Opening Doors.” Today, as I conclude my term as President, I’m proud to say that vision has become a reality – because of you.
Vienna, with its rich medical heritage and tradition of scientific excellence, proved the perfect setting for our 2025 Congress. The VIECON – Vienna Congress & Convention Center welcomed a record of 2,430 participants from 90 countries, creating an atmosphere of intellectual energy and international collaboration that defines European neurosurgery at its best.
Walking through the congress halls, I witnessed the vibrancy of our community: young neurosurgeons engaged in animated discussions with seasoned mentors, industry partners demonstrating innovations that will shape our future, and colleagues from across continents united by their passion for advancing our field. Our 61 industry partners didn’t just offer financial support; they created invaluable opportunities for innovation and learning.
The scientific programme delivered extraordinary numbers that reflect our collective ambition: with over 2,000 abstracts submitted – a new EANS record – we presented 417 lectures, 507 oral presentations, 339 oral e-poster presentations, and 726 e-poster presentations. We featured 3 keynote speeches, 11 plenary sessions, 12 masterclasses, 74 parallel sessions, 18 pre-congress sessions, and 11 industry symposia. The congress earned a record-breaking 37 EACCME credits.
Our three keynote speakers: David Poeppel, who presented “Language in the Brain: Exciting Opportunities at the Intersection of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience,” demonstrating how neurosurgical practice can benefit from cognitive neuroscience; Ingeborg Hochmair shared insights in “The Future of Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Neuroprostheses,” discussing how neuroprosthetic devices are evolving to restore not only hearing but other neural functions, opening new frontiers in brain-machine interfaces; and a true giant of neurosurgery, Dr. Robert Spetzler.
The social programme brought us together in ways that statistics cannot capture. The Congress Party reminded us that we are not just colleagues, but a family bound by shared purpose. Watching neurosurgeons from different generations and continents celebrating together, sharing stories, and forging friendships that will last lifetimes—these are the moments that define the EANS spirit.
Claudius Thomé and Christian Freyschlag, together with the local scientific committee and the Austrian Neurosurgical Society, created something extraordinary here in Vienna. Building on the momentum from our outstanding Sofia congress under Nikolay Gabrovsky’s leadership, they have shown that each EANS congress can surpass the last while maintaining the warmth and collegiality that make our meetings special.
Michaël Bruneau deserves particular recognition for the scientific programmes of both Vienna and Sofia. His ability to balance innovation with practical education, while nurturing emerging talent and creating programmes that engage both seasoned practitioners and young neurosurgeons, has set new standards.
Honoring Excellence
The European Lecture Award for an exceptional and practice-changing contribution to neurosurgery was presented to Professor Jürgen Beck. In his lecture, he shared his “Human-to-Human Approach to Research” and encouraged neurosurgeons of all ages to stay curious, stay active, and keep doing. His presentation reminded us why we chose this profession.
Profs. Johannes van Loon and Hugues Duffau were both distinguished with the EANS Award for Exceptional Service to European Neurosurgery, recognising their outstanding dedication and long-standing commitment to our community. Prof. Bernhard Meyer received the Lifetime Achievement Award, which celebrates a career that has inspired generations of neurosurgeons. Prof. José Vicente Piquer Belloch received the EANS Humanitarian Award for extending neurosurgical care beyond traditional boundaries. Mrs. Saba Raza-Knight was honored with the EANS 2025 Braakman Prize.
Gratitude
I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who made this journey possible:
- our families who support us while we dedicate ourselves to EANS,
- our teams back home—residents, OR staff, nurses—who run our services in our absence,
- to Valentini and the entire EANS office—you made my job look easy, and
- to every Committee Chair, Section Leader, and member who carried the EANS banner with pride – you ARE the EANS Spirit!
Passing the Torch
To our members, I want to say this: you are receiving a President who combines the best of what we’ve built with a vision for what we can become.Support him as you’ve supported me.
Work with him to ensure that European neurosurgery continues to lead, to innovate, to serve.
To Francesco Sala and the new Board – you inherit an association that is strong, vibrant, and ready for the future. But more than that, you inherit the EANS Spirit—the force that binds us across borders and subspecialties.
The bridges we’ve built will carry you forward.
The doors we’ve opened welcome new generations.
I wish you every success.
The Spirit Lives On
Thank you for the privilege of serving.
Thank you.
________________________________________
Torstein R. Meling
EANS President 2023-2025
EANS European Lecture 2025, Jürgen Beck & Torstein R. Meling
The Largest EANS Congress Ever: A Trajectory of Growth
and Evolution for EANS
Dear EANS Family,
As we have reached the end of the EANS2025 Vienna Congress, I would like to thank you for participating in the highlight event of our educational activities. We gladly report that this congress was the largest EANS Congress ever, as 2430 attendees from more than 90 countries, and 61 Industry Partners gathered in Vienna for 5 days full of action, education, and networking.
These numbers alone consolidate a trajectory of growth and evolution for our organization, and they strengthen our optimism for the exciting journey ahead.
The EANS2025 Vienna Congress was a congress of collaboration and innovation also in the organizational aspect. This year we introduced several new elements in our operations and services, always aiming to further improve the quality of the congress experience, and we do hope that the participants were able to enjoy them to the fullest. The Silent Presentation system of our ePosters Booths, that came also with a major update to the ePosters interface by the software provider, was a big step forward to further smoothen this vital aspect of our scientific operations.
Our morning sessions at 07:00 provided the opportunity for more oral presentations and were received very positively by our attendees, confirming that more room for diversity, inclusion and quality in our scientific programme was ultimately worth the early start for the hundreds of delegates that attended them.
The EANS Booth and the Innovation Hub inside the exhibition area were our way to signal the EANS presence and appreciation for our industry partners, who have been supporting the organization’s ever-growing educational portfolio and work together aligned towards the betterment of European and global neurosurgical practice and treatment.
This congress also signaled the handover of our 2023-2025 EANS Council to the elected EANS Officers for 2025-2027. I would like to sincerely thank the EANS Council 2023-2025 for their excellent work and wish to the newly appointed Officers a productive and successful term.
Our spirits are high, our emotions are strong, and our minds are already entering the realm of the EANS2026 Hamburg Congress, for which preparations are already well underway. Announcements for abstract submission and registration are coming soon, and we invite you to join us in Hamburg, to celebrate together European Neurosurgery, learn, engage, and network.
Warm regards,
________________________________________
Valentini Amarantidou
EANS Executive Director
Our next Congress destination: Hamburg!
Dear EANS Community, Colleagues and friends.
It is our distinct pleasure and an honour to invite you to the EANS Annual Congress, which will take place from 30 September to 4 October 2026 in Hamburg. After the cancellation of the 2021 meeting due to the pandemic, the long-awaited chance to welcome all of you in Hamburg will become real in 2026. The congress will take place in the Congress Center Hamburg (CCH), which is one of the most modern conference venues in Europe.
“Responsibility, endurance and resilience” is the motto of the congress. These three key elements guide our daily neurosurgical work, our teaching and our research activities. We witness tremendous technological advances in neurosurgery, such as artificial intelligence, advanced neurostimulation and brain-machine interfaces. We gain new insights from clinical and experimental neuroscience, allowing to approach personalized therapy especially, but not exclusively in neuro-oncology. Nonetheless, a constant awareness of how these advances are responsibly integrated into education and daily practice to truly benefit our patients is needed. In line with the motto of the congress, we aim to provide a comprehensive, educational and also critical update of the most recent developments in neurosurgery, framed by a large exhibition, showing the latest technologies.
We feel especially honoured, that we can welcome the Japanese Society for Neurosurgery as the first national guest society ever to join our annual EANS meeting. This is testimony to the perception, that the EANS, although based in Europe, is a substantial part of the global neurosurgical community.
Scientific exchange is the main purpose of the EANS congress to come – as it was of the congresses before. Meeting old friends and making new friends is also a substantial aspect of these meetings. For the social program, we have chosen stunning venues, which reflect the rich history of Hamburg as well as its atmosphere as a city designed by water.
We hope that the scientific program and the attractions of the city will convince many of you to join us in our annual celebration of neurosurgical tradition, excellence and advances. See you in Hamburg 2026.
Manfred Westphal
EANS2026 Congress Co-Chair
Veit Rohde
EANS2026 Congress Co-Chair
EANS2026 Congress in Hamburg, Manfred Westphal, Veit Rohde, Torstein R. Meling
Win a Free Registration to the EANS2026 Hamburg Congress!
Get a chance to win a free registration for the EANS2026 Congress in Hamburg. The steps are easy:
1. Snap a photo
2. Share it on your social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or X) using the official Congress hashtag #EANS2025
3. Ask your friends to vote for you by liking your post on the EANS2025 Social Wall
The post with the most likes on the EANS2025 Social Wall will win free registration to the Congress. Don’t miss out — Hamburg is waiting!
Now is the time to join the EANS family – a colourful, open, diverse, ever-evolving, and always on-the-move neurosurgical community.
Follow us on Social media and
stay tuned for the rest of the Journey!
