Knowledge, Competence and Attitude. A Teacher's Challenge.

In recent years there has been a rapid expansion in both the diagnostic modalities and management of vascular diseases of the head, neck, brain and spinal cord. This has resulted in new ideas in vascular physiology, pathophysiology, treatments for arteriovenous malformations, aneurysms, occlusive arterial disease, imaging the cerebral circulation and also the development of neuroprotective substances. Emerging concepts in neurovascular diseases are multidisciplinary in their approach; neuroradiology has become a significant contributor to that multidisciplinary discussion. A tremendous accumulation of clinical data has accompanied this development. However little research in the biological and genetical field, leading to Ph.D. theses, has been achieved by interventional neuroradiologists. Such phenomenon is both acceptable and comprehensible in a highly technical and stressful newly opened surgical field. However crystallization of that experience into research laboratories and specialized teaching must be developed. Joint efforts to learn with sister specialties the field of fundamental research would further enhance our place within the neurosciences. It is insufficient for our practice to rely strictly on tool research or physiopathogical models to justify what is already done, without exploring the unknown.