Assembly 14: clinical techniques, imaging and endoscopy

Assembly 14 (clinical techniques, imaging and endoscopy) is the youngest assembly of the European Respiratory Society (ERS). Because the increasing role of interventional pulmonology in diagnosis and treatment, and the role of imaging as key element in the diagnosis of many diseases, these two groups were growing, and the moment came that they became a new assembly. Assembly 14 accommodates the following groups.

• 14.01: interventional pulmonology

• 14.02: imaging

• 14.03: ultrasound

Within the ERS, Assembly 14 will take a role in informing about the newest innovations in these technical fields, in education and in supporting all other assemblies.

Interventional pulmonology in the evaluation and treatment of many respiratory diseases has evolved dramatically over the last decade. Interventional pulmonology is not bronchoscopy alone anymore. There have been many advances in this field, such as flexible and rigid bronchoscopy, bronchoscopy in intensive care, laryngoscopy, biopsy techniques, endobronchial ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound, cryobiopsy, early cancer therapies, and airway stents and valves. There has not only been a lot of evolution of technical aspects, but also of different diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions. Assembly 14 will be continuously informative by organising symposia, poster and poster discussion sessions, and Meet the Experts sessions during the ERS International Congress, and by organising courses and practical sessions.

Imaging was previously a small group within Assembly 1; however, it is an important group because every other assembly needs imaging, from basic research, to clinical practice and innovative imaging procedures. The imaging group aims to inform about recent developments within this evolving technical field by organising activities, courses, ERS Congress sessions, presentations and practical sessions. Previous practical sessions on ultrasound are a very good example how well attended these sessions are. In the near future, a thoracic ultrasound training programme will be started. Assembly 14 will also support the other assemblies in organising their sessions when imaging is a topic. Assembly 14 will also work on a good cooperation with European Society of Thoracic Imaging and European Radiological Society to organise combined sessions in their own congresses, and to illustrate how important it is for radiologists, clinicians and researchers to understand their way of working and thinking.

In summary, Assembly 14 is promising, new and continually expanding. Our aim for the future is to offer all ERS and non-ERS members more educational and scientific activities, and to actively engage more early career members.