Elsevier CARS 2004 - Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery: Proceedings of the 18th International Congress and Exhibition, Chicago, USA, June 23 - 26, 2004, ICS 1268

Almost 500 paper and poster contributions from more than 30 countries had to be evaluated for CARS 2004. In addition to the traditional CARS themes and topics, emphasis has been given to developments such as IHE, Surgical Workflow and PACS, Operation Room of the Future, and Strategic Thinking. In special congress sessions, partner societies such as SPIE and SCAR have joined these endeavours to assist in achieving progress in these fields. While the increased reliance on multi-source information is proceeding at a rapid rate, it is interesting to note that the basis for the greater part of medical decision making is still medical imaging. This may change as genomics and proteomics fulfil more of their potential, but it is estimated that more than half of current hospital visits result in imaging studies. In that respect, it is true that "the more things change, the more they stay the same" (Alphonse Karr, 1849) and that medical imaging is the cornerstone of the field. This focus on medical imaging is evident throughout the CARS conference, with sessions dedicated to Medical Imaging (MI) itself, Image Processing and Display (IPD), Image Guided Radiological Therapy (IGRT), Image Guided Therapy (IGT), and separate symposia on Computer Aided Diagnosis (based on imaging) and both Cardiovascular and Maxillofacial Imaging. Still, it is up to you, the engineers, scientists, clinicians, and related personnel participating in CARS, to ensure that innovation in technology and procedures is not developed just for the sake of change, but instead to achieve progress and thereby provide better patient care.