I have had the great honor of being one of the neurologists selected by the EFNS Training and Education Committee for the 2012 Scientific Fellowship. I have spent a year in the Neurology Department of the Justus-Liebig University in Giessen, Germany. There, under the guidance and supervision of Professor Manfred Kaps, I studied the pathologic changes of the optic nerve sheath and the optic papilla in patients with large ischemic cerebral infarcts or with massive intracerebral hemorrhage.
During the year spent in the Neurology Department of Giessen I acquired important skills in ultrasound investigation; at first I learned the principles and technique of neuro-vascular and transbulbar optic nerve sheath and optic papilla ultrasound examination. After mastering the technique I started my study in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit. This gave me the unique opportunity to daily examine and monitor severely ill patients and to broaden my knowledge of intensive care Neurology.
I have also been included in the daily activities taking place in the Department – daily meetings, case presentations – fact that was very instructive for me as I had the opportunity to keep in touch with other fields of Neurology.
Another great advantage of this program was the fact that I improved my skills of research planning and statistical analysis. This enabled me to better execute and later interpret and present my research.
Even though Giessen is a fairly small town, I really enjoyed my stay there. I got the opportunity to get accustomed to the German way of doing things – in a rigorous and orderly fashion and I got to know many pleasant and friendly people with whom I hope to have built life-long friendships.
I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to EFNS for making this marvelous experience possible! It was a great year!
Dr. Cristina Laza works at the Department of Neurology at the University Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, Romania
