Dear Colleagues,

It is a pleasure and an honour for me to invite you to the 18th ArgoSpine international Symposium taking place once again at the Maison des Arts et Métiers, in Paris, on January 30th and 31^st, 2014. This time, the topic we have chosen to explore is the intervertebral space.

Actually, if we look back and think, we realize that most diseases begin with the alteration of the disc space (i.e., the functional unit). This is the reason why, with a fine selection of speakers, we will focus on all the aspects and elements that make this unit: anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, disc degeneration, stem cells and their effects, diagnosis, complementary studies when indicated, and the best appropriate treatment for the symptoms.

Moreover, we will address the different surgical techniques that have been developed to improve the balance of the functional unit thereby enhancing its performance and decreasing the pain symptoms experienced by the patients.

Lastly, I would like to thank the ArgoSpine Board for choosing me as the President of this year’s symposium and allowing me to invite my mentor, Jean-Pierre Farcy.  Without him I would not have been able to become the doctor I am today.

I look forward to welcoming you all to this Symposium!

Regards,

Prof. Carlos Sola
18th Symposium President