NEW ORLEANS (April 18, 2005) Armando J. Basso, MD, PhD was named 2005 Honorary Member by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) at 10:55 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, at the AANS Annual Meeting, April 16-21, in New Orleans. This recognition is open only to those individuals whose Honorary Membership adds distinction to the ranks of the organization. Candidates must be internationally renowned, and have made outstanding educational, research, or clinical contributions to the field of neurosurgery. Dr. Basso has been an International member of the AANS since 1994.

Dr. Basso was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and began his medical studies at the School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires in 1952. Prior to graduating from medical school in 1958, he traveled to the United States to Elizabeth, N.J. with a fellowship in neuropharmacology.

In 1960, Dr. Basso initiated his neurosurgical training at the Institute of Neurosurgery, University of Buenos Aires, under the guidance of German Dickman, a disciple of Walter Dandy. During those years, he devoted time to the pathology of hypophyseal tumors and began work on his doctoral thesis on electron microscopy of hypophyseal adenomas, under the supervision of Eduardo DeRobertis.

Pursuing his interest in transsphenoidal surgery, he traveled to Paris in 1965, and under the guidance of Gerard Guiot, actively participated as foreign resident and later as associated investigator in the development of his master's research on hypophyseal and skull base surgery, as well as surgical treatment of dyskinesias. In Paris he worked with Albe Fessard, who was instrumental in nurturing his academic interest and devotion to basic sciences. In 1969 he met Gazi Yasargil, learning the intricacies of microneurosurgery, which he introduced to Argentina and South America in 1973.

Dr. Basso was appointed professor in neurosurgery at the University of Buenos Aires in 1986, and is currently director of the Applied Neurosciences Institute and professor of neurosurgery at the University of Buenos Aires. His publications exceed 140 titles in articles, book chapters and papers, with a main focus on skull base pathology and surgery.

Dr. Basso has been active in a number of neurosurgical and medical organizations, both regionally and internationally. He is past president of the following organizations: the Argentine Neurosurgical Association, the Latin American Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, and the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 6,800 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to patients. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves.