The second E. C. Workshop on Ultrasonic Tissue Characterization was organized for the assessment of research goals and plans as the basis to a grant proposal for a "Concerted Action" which will be forwarded to the European Commission. It should, therefore, not only be considered as a work in progress exhibition which succeeded the former activities within the E. C. (Inventory on Tissue Characterization in Europe and first Workshop). The Steering Group invited a 1 imited group of Institutes to send its group leader and a research fel low in the entitled field, who should expose the overall research program, as wei 1 as the more specific work on tissue characterization by RF signal analysis and spectroscopy. The ultimate goal of the Workshop has been the formulation of schemes of interaction among the Institutes and individuals and the definition of cooperative research programs. The remainder of the groups and some of the groups present are working in the field of analysis and processing of cl inical A- and B-mode echograms (i. e. video signals). Because this work is more closely related to the cl inical diagnostics it was decided that for that reason no preparatory workshop was needed. In the final proposal for the Concerted Action this work wi 1 1 get ample attention. Although not many clinicians were present, their positive interest in the sophisticated analysis techniques and their contribution to the dis cussions again have been a most valuable and stimulating experience.

The second E. C. Workshop on Ultrasonic Tissue Characterization was organized for the assessment of research goals and plans as the basis to a grant proposal for a "Concerted Action" which will be forwarded to the European Commission. It should, therefore, not only be considered as a work in progress exhibition which succeeded the former activities within the E. C. (Inventory on Tissue Characterization in Europe and first Workshop). The Steering Group invited a 1 imited group of Institutes to send its group leader and a research fel low in the entitled field, who should expose the overall research program, as wei 1 as the more specific work on tissue characterization by RF signal analysis and spectroscopy. The ultimate goal of the Workshop has been the formulation of schemes of interaction among the Institutes and individuals and the definition of cooperative research programs. The remainder of the groups and some of the groups present are working in the field of analysis and processing of cl inical A- and B-mode echograms (i. e. video signals). Because this work is more closely related to the cl inical diagnostics it was decided that for that reason no preparatory workshop was needed. In the final proposal for the Concerted Action this work wi 1 1 get ample attention. Although not many clinicians were present, their positive interest in the sophisticated analysis techniques and their contribution to the dis cussions again have been a most valuable and stimulating experience."

The 14th Congress of SIDUO, held in Tokyo from October 26 to October 30, 1992, was the first congress meeting to be held in Asia in the 30-year history of SIDUO. The congress was organized by the Department of Oph- thalmology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, with the support of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society, the Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine and the Japan Society of Ophthalmologists. The organizing committee consisted of the following members. Congress President: Sadanao Tane, M. D. (Professor and Chairman, St. Marianna University School of Medicine) Vice-presidents: Atsushi Sawada, M. D. (Professor and Chairman, Miyazaki Medical College) Masayasu Ito, Ph. D. (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology) Secretary General: Yasuo Sugata, M. D. (Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital) Finance Committee: Koji Ohashi, M. D. (Assistant Professor, St. Marianna University School of Medicine) Akira Komatsu, M. D. (Assistant Professor, St. Marianna University School of Medicine) Toshio Kaneko, M. D. (Assistant Professor, St. Marianna University School of Medicine) Publicity and Exhibition Committee: Hideyuki Hayashi, M. D. (Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University) Akihiro Kaneko, M. D. (National Cancer Center) The Honorary Presidents were Yukio Yamamoto, M. D. (Tokyo Tama Geriatrics Hospital) and Yasuo Uemura, M. D. (Professor Emeritus, Keio University) . The opening ceremony began with the Francois Memorial Lecture given by Professor Peter Till (Standardized Echography: Quantitative Analysis of XlI Tissue Backscatter - A Major Source of Information for Tissue Diagnoses).

Forty-eight eyes with massive periretinal proliferation were examined with ultrasonography. In addition to the triangular retinal detachment T-sign was indicative of severe MPP. And irregular thickening and bending of the retina were observed on ultrasonography in eyes with MPP. The detached retina was immobile in all eyes. Preoperative ultrasonographic findings did not prove the value on the assessment of operative prognosis. REFERENCES Bronson, N.R. & Turner, F.T. A simple B-scan uitrasonoscope. Arch. Ophthalmol. 90: 237 (1973). Coleman, D.J., Koning, W.F. & Katz L.: A Hand-Operated ultrasound scan system for ophthalmic evaluation, Am. J. Ophthalmol. 68: 258 (1969). Fuller. D.G., Laqua, H. & Machemer, R. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of massive periretinal proliferation in eyes with opaque media (triangular retinal detachment). Am. J. Ophthalmol. 83: 460 (1977). Laqua, H. & Machemer, R. Glial cell proliferation in retinal detachment (massive periretinal proliferation). Am. 1. Ophthalmol. 80: 1 (1975). Laqua, H. & Machemer R. Oinical-pathological correlation in Massive periretinal proliferation. Am. J. Ophthalmol. 80: 912 (1975). Machemer, R. & Laqua, H. Pigment epithelial proliferation in retinal detachment (massive periretinal proliferation). Am. J. Ophthalmol. 80: 1 (1975). Machemer, R. & Laqua, H. A logical approach to the treatment of massive periretinal proliferation. Ophthalmology 85: 584 (1978). Machemer, R. Van Horn, D. & Aaberg, T.M. Pigment epithelial proliferation in human retinal detachment with massive periretinal proliferation, Machemer, R. Pathogenesis and classification of massive periretinal proliferation. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 62: 737 (1978).

The 11 th Congress of SIDUO took place in the beautiful setting of Capri in springtime and was held in the impressive and stimulating atmosphere of the 'Certosa di S. Giacomo'. The organisation was sponsored by the SIEO, the 'Societa Italiana di Eco- Oftalmologia'. The Honorary President was Professor Antonio Rossi, Head of the University Department of Ophthalmology in Ferrara and one of the pioneers of Italy in this field. The organizing committee further consisted of: President: Prof. P. E. Gallenga, University Department of Ophthalmology, Chieti Vice President: Dr. G. Cennamo, University Department of Ophthalmology, Napels Scientific Secretary: Dr. J. M. Thijssen, University Department of Ophthal- mology, Nijmegen Treasurer: Dr. A. Reibaldi, University Department of Ophthalmology, Bari The organizing Committee was supported by an International Scientific Pro- gramme Committee: Regional Representatives: SIDUO Officers: G. Bellone (Torino) P. E. Gallenga (President) A. Bertenyi (Budapest) J. S. Hillman (Treasurer) D. J. Coleman (New York) B. L. Hodes (Vice-President) K. C. Ossoinig (Iowa City) J. M. Thijssen (Secretary) R. Sampaolesi (Buenos Aires) H. G. Trier (Past-President) A. W. Sawada (Miyazaki) P. Till (Wien) As A Regional Advisory Committee served: Honorary Chairmen: A. Oksala (Turka), A. Alajmo (Venezia), A. Bonovolonta (Napoli) ix Chairmen: H. G. Trier (Bonn) M. Zingiran (Genova) Members: F. Bigar (Zurich) V. Mazzao (Ferrara) w. Buschmann (Wurzburg) 1. Poujol (paris) Z. Filipezynski (Warszawa) K. Psilas (Joannina) H. C. Fledelius (Rungsted Kyst) J. Preis ova (Brno) F. F. Fridman (Moscow) A. Rivara (Genova) H. Gernet (Munster) 1.