Dear colleagues and friends,

It gives me great pleasure to invite you to the 7^th International Congress of World Federation of Skull Base Societies in Osaka in 2016 “WFSBS 2016”. The congress is being organized under the aegis of the Japan Neurosurgical Society and Japanese Society for Skull Base Surgery. Taking advantage of this opportunity, 28^th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society for Skull Base Surgery and 10^th International Congress of International Meningioma Society and Cerebral Venous System will be held together. “World Skull Base 2016” is named with symbolic integration of participants and organizers.

Osaka is the perfect backdrop in which to exchange current views, expand your network and showcase new developments in Skull Base Surgery. We take great pleasure in hosting this multi-disciplinary congress. “Creation and Collaboration for the Future” reflects the central themes of the meeting which will embody vignettes from skull base pioneers, round table discussions, keynote debates on controversial topics, disease specific expert panels, focus groups on advances in surgical techniques and diagnostic developments, instructional courses by the world’s experts and glimpses into the future.

This will be preceded by a Pre-congress hands-on workshop in coordination with WFNS Skull Base Surgery Committee. There will also be a post congress, i.e. one-week educational visit to selected neurosurgical centers in Japan. The workshops will provide hands on experience to registered participants in the field of microsurgical skull base techniques and endoscopic skull base approaches. The congress will have guest lectures by a galaxy of speakers from different specialties involved in skull base surgery from all across the world.

Osaka is a city in the Kansai region of Honshu; Japan's main island. Located at the mouth of Yodo River on Osaka Bay, Osaka is Japan's third largest city by population. Historically the commercial center of Japan, Osaka functions as one of the command centers for the Japanese economy. The weather and atmosphere of Osaka perfectly suits the conference. Osaka provides an excellent base to explore the ancient Japanese tradition and culture. We hope to have good scientific programs involving deliberations on skull base techniques and technology in present times in Osaka.

With best wishes,

Kenji Ohata, M.D., Ph.D.
President
7th International Congress of World Federation of Skull Base Societies
28th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society for Skull Base Surgery