The Baltic Association of Neuropathologists (BAN)

(Updated 18 January 2012)

Leadership
President:  Zane Jaunmuktane
Vice-presidents:
Inga Gudinaviciene
Andres Kulla

Membership
As for 2012, there are 17 BAN members, including one honorary member (Professor Hans Hilmar Goebel). The members are not restricted to people practising in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, but also include and welcome specialists from other countries.

History
The association was founded on 31st of May, 2003, in Riga, Latvia by representatives from all three countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania).
The historical founding event was also attended by world renowned neuropathologists from Germany, Norway and USA (Prof. Goebel, Prof. Walter, Prof. Skullerud, Prof. Mörk, Prof. Vinters).
The statutes of the association state two year rotation of presidentship with vice-presidents representing the remaining two countries. The president also fulfills the secretarial duties.
The first president was Dr Andres Kulla, Estonia (2003-2006) and the two vice-presidents were Dr Daina Apskalne, Latvia and Dr Inga Gudinaviciene, Lithuania. The first Treasurer was Dr Enn Joeste, Estonia.

The foundation of a tri-national Baltic Association of Neuropathologists (BAN) was promoted and highly supported by Prof. Hans H. Goebel (Euro- CNS president in 2003). For a small subspecialty, such as neuropathology, a single common professional association bringing all three Baltic States together, similar to the Scandinavian Society of Neuropathology, appeared and still appears most suited. This has proved effective through regular workshops, business meetings and informal meetings.

Activities

31st of May, 2003: Foundation of the Baltic Association of Neuropathologists
The formation of statutes; election of president and vice-presidents
According to the Statutes of BAN, the first presidentship of BAN passed to Estonia (Dr Andres Kulla, 1st president, 2003-2006).

19th of May, 2004: 1st workshop and business meeting in Tartu, Estonia
The focus of the workshop:
– Diseases of muscle and peripheral nerve
– Practical approaches to the CNS autopsy

16th of July, 2006: Business meeting in Riga, Latvia
According to the Statutes of BAN, the presidentship of BAN passed to Latvia (Dr Daina Apskalne, 2nd president, 2006-2008).

14-15th of June, 2007: 2nd workshop in Riga, Latvia
The focus of the workshop:
-Brain tumours
-Peripheral nerve and muscle pathology
The main lecturers included Prof. Hans Goebel, Prof. Harry V. Vinters and Prof. Hannes Vogel.

8th of June, 2008: Business meeting, web-based conversation
According to the Statutes of BAN, the presidentship of BAN was passed on to Lithuania (Dr Inga Gudinaviciene, 3rd president, 2008-2011).

28-30th of May, 2009: 3rd workshop (First Neuro-Course) and business meeting in Kaunas, Lithuania
The focus of the workshop: Lectures covering broad spectrum of   neuropathology.
-Brain cutting
-Slide seminar
The main speakers were Prof. Hans H. Goebel, Prof. Harry V. Vinters and Prof. Hannes Vogel.

21st of October, 2009: 1st informal meeting in Panevezys, Lithuania
The focus of the informal meeting: Case presentations
Altogether 18 rare/difficult/surprising cases, including biopsies and autopsies presented.

27th of April, 2010: Business meeting, web- based conversation
The presidentship for Dr Inga Gudinaviciene (Lithuania) extended until 2011.

20th of November, 2010: 2nd informal meeting in Riga, Latvia
The focus of the informal meeting: Case presentations
Numerous rare/difficult/surprising cases, including biopsies and autopsies were presented and discussed.

3-4th of July, 2011: 4th workshop (second Neuro-Course) in Kaunas, Lithuania
The focus of the workshop: Neuro-oncology (lectures and case presentations)
The main lecturer was Prof. Bernd Scheithauer.

26th of November, 2011: 3rd informal meeting and business meeting in Riga, Latvia
The focus of the informal meeting: Case presentations
Altogether 6 rare/difficult/surprising brain tumour cases and 1 muscle biopsy case were presented and discussed.

According to the Statutes of BAN, the presidentship of BAN was passed on to Latvia (Dr Zane Jaunmuktane, 4th president, from 2011).

12th of May, 2012: The scheduled date for the next informal meeting to be held in Latvia. Members and non-members are warmly welcomed (for details contact: zane.jaunmuktane(at)inbox.lv).

Neuropathology status in the Baltic States
Neuropathology is not recognized as a separate specialty/subspecialty in the Baltic States. The specialists in all three countries practising in neuropathology are qualified in general anatomical histopathology.