Programme
Monday, 11 May 2026
8:15-10:00
Neurosurgical education - what it should be like? (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderator:
Prof. Juhana Frösén, Tampere University Hospital, Finland
8.15-8.30
Frösén Juhana: Opening words and Welcome
8.30-9.00
Zenonos George: Training in a high-volume US center
9.00-9.30
Tanaka Michihiro: Benefits of neurosurgical hybrid training
9.30-9.45
Boogarts Jeroen: Neurosurgical hybrid training – the European perspective
9:45-10:15
Coffee
10:15-11:00
Prelunch symposium by Brainlab (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Every Step Matters: Accuracy in Action from Pre-Planning to Intraoperative Excellence
Speakers:
Dr. Markus Bruder, Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland
Dr. Margret Jensdottir, Karolinska Hospitalet, Stockholm, Sweden
11:00-12:00
Lunch symposium by Zeiss (Soprano Hall)
The clinical use of confocal laser endomicroscopy (CONVIVO) in neurosurgery, including its integration into clinical workflows, its application (clinical cases), and the benefits for the neurosurgeon.
Dr. Carlos Velásquez, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
12:00-13:00
Challenges in endovascular surgery (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderator:
Prof. Jeroen Boogarts, Radboud Medical Center, The Netherlands
12.00-12.30
Chapot René: Challenges in endovascular surgery
12.30-13.00
Zhang Hong Qi: Treatment of spinal vascular malformations – state of the art.
13:00-13:30
Coffee
13:30-15:30
Parallel session: Vascular & Skull base (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderators:
Dr. Melissa Rahi, President of the Finnish Neurosurgical Society Dr. Ales Hejcl, Purkinje University & Masaryk Hospital, Czech Republic
13.30-13.50
Matano Fumihiro: Surgical Outcomes of Petroclival Meningiomas Treated via the Transpetrosal Approach: Optimization of Preoperative Evaluation and Operative Technique
13.50-14.10
Tsuruya Miku: Bypass-Assisted Treatment Strategy for Complex Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms
14.10-14.30
Sonoda Tsubasa: Surgical Treatment of Ruptured Internal Carotid Artery C2 Segment Aneurysms: Case Series and Surgical Considerations
14.30-14.45
Zenonos George: Vascular neurosurgery connects with skull base surgery: Case examples of an occipital artery to P4 bypass, endoscopic transcavernous removal of a midbrain cavernoma, and a far medial approach for a ruptured PICA aneurysm”
14.45-14.50 Poulsen Franz: Call for a Nordic / Scandinavian Skull Base Society
14.50-15.10
Pesonen Emilia: Temporal muscle thickness predicts overall survival after spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage
15.10-15.30
Keränen Sara: Local bacteria antigens in the vessel wall as a cause of inflammation in brain AVMs
Parallel session: Neuro-oncology (Soprano Hall)
Moderators:
Dr. Einar Vik-Mo, Oslo University Hospital, Norway Dr. Jiri Bartek, Karolinska Hospital, Sweden
13.30-13.50 Vik-Mo Einar: Functional drug profiling for brain tumors
13.50-14.10 Rengby Olle: Epidemiology and treatment patterns in mIDH oligodendrogliomas and diffuse astrocytomas: a longitudinal nationwide cohort perspective
14.10-14.30 Keinänen Tuija: Beyond Conventional MRI: Metabolic Imaging of Brain Tumors
14.30-14.50 Aunan Diop Jan Saip:Mechanical Instability as a Signature of Viscoelastic Decoupling at the Tumor–Brain Interface
14.50-15.10 From Evelina: Improving diagnostic yield and reducing risk of complications with Optical Guidance and Vessel Tracing Probes in burr-hole biopsies
15.10-15.30 Hermelo Ismael: Brain tumor border and core tissue analysis of monopolar-induced volatolome with mass spectrometry
Parallel session: Neuronursing (Maestro Auditorium)
Moderator:
Johanna Martin, President of the Finnish Neuronursing Association
13.30-14.00 Martin Johanna: The 30-year history of the Finnish Association of Neuroscience Nursing
14.00-14.20 Hutri Inkeri: Neuroscience nursing induction programme development in HUS Neurocenter
14.20-14.40 Rönnqvist Daniel: Interprofessional Simulation Training in Thrombectomy Emergencies
14.40-15.00 Ahlmann Grøndahl Rikke: Patient Experiences of Nursing Consultations and Waiting Times in a Neurosurgical Outpatient Clinic: A Survey Study
15.00-15.20 Reck Miller Pernille: Practice of nursing documentation supporting the patient’s perspective.
15.20-15.30 Discussion
Workshop: LITT & DBS for epilepsy and beyond (Opus 3 Conference Room)
Gross Robert: LITT for temporal lobe epilepsy
Jensdottir Margret: How I do it? Preoperative planning for LITT
Guided hands-on planning
Workshop: Hands-on training, Minimally Invasive Spine (Riffi Conference Room)
At the conference venue, in Riffi conference room.
Instructors: Dr. Martin Stienen, Dr. Jukka Huttunen, Dr. Heikki Mäntymäki, and Prof. Carsten Bjarkham
Topics:
1)Endoscopic lumbar decompression
2)Open TLIF
3) MIS-TLIF
4) Tubular retractors
5)Posterior cervical fixation systems
- Lateral mass
- C1-C2 fixation
- Occipito–cervical fusion
6) Navigation in spine surgery
15:30-16:00
Coffee
16:00-18:00
Plenary session: Future of vascular neurosurgery (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Session Chairs: Mika Niemelä, Head of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland Torstein Meling, Head of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
16.00-16.20
Chapot René: Endovascular neurosurgery – state of the art
16.20-16.40
Tuleasca Constantin: Radiosurgery for brain AVMs and dural fistulas – state of the art (online)
16.40-17.00
Radovanovic Ivan: Medical treatment for brain AVMs – where are we at?
17.00-17.20
Lawton Michael (online): Vascular microneurosurgery – state of the art
17.20-17.40
Frösen Juhana and Etminan Nima: Medical treatment for intracranial aneurysms – where are we at?
17.40-18.00 Froelich Sebastien (online): New developments in skull base surgery
18.00-18.15 Summary of the current vascular neurosurgery practice – and the future of care. Panel discussion lead by Prof. Frösén.
Frösen Juhana: Call for a Nordic neurovascular registry
19:00
City of Tampere reception
Old City Hall (address: Keskustori 10)
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
8:30-9:45
Challenges for the healthcare system - global and local (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderators:
Dr. Susanna Rantala, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland Dr. Jimmy Sundblom, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden
8.30-8.50
Ouambi Olivier: Building a neurosurgical practice in a low income country – a case example from Africa
8.50-9.15
Tisell Magnus: Building a neurosurgical practice in a low income country – a case example from Africa
9.15-9.45
Forma Leena: How to distribute resources in Nordic welfare countries?
9:45-10:15
Coffee
10:15-11:00
Challenges for the healthcare system - global and local (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderators:
Prof. Juhana Frösen, Tampere University Hospital, Finland Dr. Niina Salokorpi, Oulu University Hospital, Finland
10.15-10.45
Kaprio Jaakko: The aging population
10.45-11.00
Panel discussion: Where to focus resources – upper age limit for treatment?
11:00-12:00
Lunch symposium organized by Tampere Brain and Mind (Soprano Hall)
Moderator:
Dr. Joonas Haapasalo, Tampere University Hospital, Finland
van den Bent Martin: A global, randomized, double-blinded, Phase 3 study of vorasidenib versus placebo in patients with adult-type diffuse glioma with an IDH1/2 mutation (INDIGO): updated efficacy results
Followed by a panel discussion of Nordic neuro-oncology experts lead by Dr. Joonas Haapasalo, Tampere University Hospital
12:00-13:00
Rare & Complicated vs Simple & Common (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderators:
Kai Lehtimäki, Tampere University Hospital, Finland Juhana Frösen, Tampere University Hospital, Finland
12.00-12.30
Gross Robert: The role of neuromodulatory tretments in surgical treatment options in refractory epilepsy
12.30-13.00
Smajda Stanislas: Pediatric neurovascular pathologies
13:00-13:30
Coffee
13:30-15:30
Parallel session: SAH & ICU (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderators:
Prof. Timo Koivisto, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland Prof. Juhana Frösen, Tampere University Hospital, Finland
13.30-13.50
Tving Stauning Agnes: Mortality among patients with aneurysmal SAH in a national unselected cohort
13.50-14.10
Rantamo Anni: Trends in functional outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage during a rapid shift from surgical to endovascular treatment
14.10-14.30
Laitio Timo: The Xenon SAH study
14.30-14.50
Vahtera Annukka: Prothrombotic states in aSAH
14.50-15.10
Bhogal Paul: NETs, PAMPs, DAMPs and the outcome of SAH
15.10-15.30
Sariola Hanna: Pain management in SAH patients
A special session organized by the Finnish neuroanesthesiological society on Awake Craniotomies (Soprano Hall)
Moderators:
Dr. Joonas Haapasalo, Tampere University Hospital, Finland Dr. Terhi Lohela, President of the Finnish Neuroanesthesiologist Society
13:30-14:00 Ille Sebastian: Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation for preprocedural motor & language mapping
14:00-14:30 Koroknay-Pál Päivi: Awake craniotomy in glioma surgery
14:30-15:00 Haaksiluoto Erika: Neuromonitoring during awake craniotomy
15:00-15:20 Lehtinen Henri: Neuropsychologist in awake craniotomies (online)
15:20:15:40 Scheinin Annalotta: Scalp blocks and local anesthesia in awake craniotomies
Parallel session: Nursing science (Maestro Auditorium)
Moderator:
Suvi Laiho, Tampere University Hospital, Finland
13.30-13.40 Laiho Suvi: Neuroscience nursing in Tampere University Hospital
13.40-14.00
Danielsson-Ojala Riitta: Contents of self-management guidance for individuals who have experienced a stroke, Clinical Practise Guideline (online)
14.00-14.20 Hutri Inkeri: Fall prevention in neurological patients – Developing escape room game as an educational intervention
14.20-14.40 Tran Chris: Registered Nursing Care for Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Management
14.40-15.00 Ringholm Malin: Enabling Continuous Intracranial Pressure Monitoring During MRI
15.00-15.20 Garret Anna: Artificial intelligence -based ventilation mode for neurosurgical nurses
15.20-15.30 Discussion
Workshop: LITT & DBS for epilepsy and beyond (Opus 3 Conference Room)
Peltola Jukka: Advancing ANT-DBS for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Current Clinical Evidence and Emerging Horizons
Blomstedt Patric: Planning DBS for essential tremor
Guided hands-on planning
15:30-16:00
Coffee
Poster presentations at the Park Lobby
16:00-18:00
Neuronursing plenary session: Patient-participation and the steps towards patient-centered care (Pieni Sali, the Conference Main Auditorium)
Moderators:
Johanna Martin, President of Finnish Neuronursing Association Suvi Laiho, Tampere University Hospital, Finland
16.00-16.30 Halkoaho Arja: Patient centered participatory medical care
Discussion 16.30-16.40
16.40-17.00 Unbehaun Ditte Jørgensen: Patient participation interventions for surgical inpatients: a scoping review
17.00-17.20 Guenna Holmgren Amina: Violence exposure among family members of individuals with brain tumors: findings from the BRAVE project
17.20-17.40 Lindlöf Julia: Empowering Support Framework for Family Members of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury – a mixed-methods study
17.40-18.00 Discussion and awards
19:00
Conference dinner on Viikinsaari island
Ships to Viikinsaari depart from the Laukontori at 19.00.
Return to Laukontori by 22.00. Dress code smart casual.
8:00-15:30
Hands-on training: Workshop on Anterior and Lateral Skull Base Surgery (National Surgical Training Center, Tampere University Hospital))
At the National Surgical Training Center, Tampere University Hospital (address: Arkkiatrinkuja 6)
Instructors: Dr. George Zenonos, Dr. Thibault Passeri, Dr. Fumihiro Matano and the local team
8.00 Rendez-vous at the National Surgical Training Center
Topics for the morning:
1)Extended endonasal approach to anterior skull base
2)Transorbital approach
3)Lateral supraorbital approach
4)Microdissection of the Sylvian fissure
5)Anterior clinoidectomy
Topics for the afternoon:
6)Anatomy of the superior orbital fissure & middle fossa
7)Anatomy of the temporal bone
8)Anterior petrosectomy (Kawase)
9)Presigmoid transmastoid approach
15.00 End of hands-on training
15.00-15.30 Feedback and Wrap-up
7:00-7:40
Early morning run
Rendez-vous in front of the main entry to the conference venue Tampere-talo at 7.00am. Return to the conference venue by 7.40. Please see the social programme for more details.
Wednesday, 13 May 2026
8:30-9:45
Technical evolution in neurosurgery (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderators:
Prof. Mikael Fraunberg, Oulu University Hospital, Finland Dr. Kai Lehtimäki, Tampere University Hospital, Finland
8.30-9.00 Blomstedt Patric: Thalamotomy, DBS, HIFU- Evolution of functional neurosurgery
9.00-9.20 Jokinen Pekka: Focused Ultrasound – The Turku Experience
9.20-9.50
Zhang HongQi: Robotics in neurosurgery – current state of the art in China
9:45-10:15
Coffee
10:15-11:00
Introducing AI to neurosurgery (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderator:
Prof. Ville Leinonen, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland
10.15-10.45
van Gils Mark: From decision support tools to digital twins
10.45-11.00
Panel discussion: Impact of AI: Changing the definition of expertise
11:00-12:00
Lunch session by Nexstim
Hands-on demonstrations of navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation at the Nexstim booth
12:00-13:00
Evolution of minimally invasive interventions (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderator:
Prof. Juhana Frösen, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere
12.00-12.30 Ille Sebastian: The emerging potential of navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation for neurosurgery and beyond
12.30-13.00
Wakhloo Ajay: The evolution of endovascular neurosurgery: from coils to flow diversion and beyond
13:00-13:30
Coffee
13:30-15:30
Parallel session: Spine (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderators:
Dr. Heikki Mäntymäki, President of the Finnish Spine Surgery Society Prof. Carsten Bjarkham, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark
13.30-13.50
Stienen Martin: Merging neurosurgical and orthopedic spine surgery – the St.Gallen experience
13.50-14.00
TAUH spine surgery team: Merging two spine surgery specialities
14.00-14.20
Neva Marko: Lumbar Spine Fusion Surgery – excellent invention or pitfall?
14.20-14.40 Sommernes Håvard: Surgical treatment of cervical spine radiculopathy – evidence from randomized clinical trials
14.40-15.00
Huttunen Jukka: Who Benefits From Surgery for Cervical Spine Radiculopathy? Predictors of Good Outcome
15.00-15.30 Bjarkham Carsten: Evolution and future of spine surgery
Parallel session: Pediatric & Hydrocephalus (Soprano Hall)
Moderators:
Dr. Niina Salokorpi, Oulu University Hospital, Finland
Dr. Arto Immonen, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland
13.30-13.50 Nordfors Kristiina: Role of CSF liquid biopsy in the diagnostics and treatment of pediatric brain tumors
13.50-14.10 Henriksen KA: Impact of molecular subtypes on postoperative hydrocephalus following resection of posterior fossa medulloblastoma and ependymoma in children
14.10-14.30 Henriksen KA: Current Management of Craniosynostosis – A Nordic Pediatric Neurosurgery Network Study
14.30-14.50 Asser Andres: Ritzotomy for treatment of spasticity in CP patients
14.50-15.10 Henttonen Henna: The Incidence of Culture Positive Findings from Routine CSF Sampling at Shunt Insertion in a 20-year Retrospective Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Cohort
15.10-15.30
Räsänen Joel: Genetics of adult hydrocephalus – recent updates
Workshop: LITT & DBS for epilepsy and beyond (Opus 3 Conference Room)
Lehtimäki Kai: How I do it? Preoperative planning for DBS
Katisko Jani: How I do It? Preoperative planning for DBS
Guided hands-on planning
15:30-16:00
Coffee
16:00-18:00
Training residents to neurosurgeons - and neurosurgeons to become better neurosurgeons (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
Moderators:
Dr. Tarmo Areda, North Estonia Medical Center, Estonia
Prof. Ville Leinonen, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland
16.00-16.20
Stienen Martin: Experiences from a spine fellowhip in the US
16.20-16.40
Fujita Hiroaki: Our Institutional Efforts to Improve Technical Skills in Cerebrovascular Surgery
16.40-17.00
Schildt Andrei: Basic microsurgical skills can be taught to novices with video material only – a prospective multicenter laboratory study
17.00-17.20
Vaher Ando: Neurosurgery in Estonia
17.20-17.40
Frösén Juhana: TAUH residency training program – A work in progress
Introducing new technology to Neurosurgery - a special session by Business Tampere (Opus 3 Conference Room)
Med Tech companies emerging from the Tampere Health ecosystem will present their new technologies and solutions that will change neurosurgical care.
Closing ceremony (Small Auditorium or Pieni Sali in Finnish, the Main Conference Auditorium)
17.40-18.00
Closing words and acknowledgements