Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Prize 2008
Prof. Dr. Martin Bendszus was awarded the Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Prize 2008. The neuroradiologist from Heidelberg received the prize, together with 10,000 euros, for his work dealing with "in vivo diagnostics of the peripheral nervous system using magnetic resonance imaging".
Professor Dr. Martin Bendszus (Photo: private)
“Diseases of the peripheral nervous system are a very important field of work since they are among the most common neurological diseases,” said Professor Bendszus. The imaging methods developed by Bendszus and his team enable precise insights to be gained into the peripheral nervous system and its functional correlations. “Disorders of the peripheral nerves in particular – for example in terms of paralysis or problems with sensation in the extremities following nerve injury – are often operated on without prior imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals such disorders and the therapy can be specifically adapted to the findings,” explained Prof. Bendszus. In another prospective project, Prof. Bendszus and his team are experimenting with new contrast agents that make damaged nerve tracts light up during MRI.
Prof. Bendszus sees this award as an incentive for further studies: “Our next step will be the preparation of our results for broad clinical applications. It is our goal to create general standards in the magnetic resonance imaging of peripheral nerves.”
Prof. Dr. Michael Laniado (right) and Prof. Dr. Dierk Vorwerk (left) awarded the Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Prize to Prof. Dr. Martin Bendszus (centre). (Photo: ipse communication)
Prof. Bendszus, who was appointed Medical Director of the Department of Neuroradiology at the University of Heidelberg in 2007, has optimal working conditions in that the hospital has Germany’s largest neuroradiology department, offering a broad range of clinical and experimental research. Prior to his current post, the 40-year-old held the endowed chair of neuro-imaging at the University Hospital of Würzburg donated by Schering GmbH in Berlin.
The German Röntgen Society has been awarding the Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Prize since 1979 in memory of W. C. Röntgen (1845 - 1923) and to support radiological scientific activities. The Prize, which is awarded annually for outstanding scientific work in the field of radiology, was awarded on the 2nd of May 2008 at the 89th German Röntgen Congress in Berlin. Prof. Bendszus donated the prize money of 10,000 euros to the Marc Dünzl Foundation and the German Röntgen Museum in Remscheid.
Source: University Hospital Heidelberg - 2nd May 2008