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Radiology and the Arts

Diagnostic radiologist Brett Prywitch, MD, has created a new art form by turning mammograms, X-rays, MRIs and other medical images into hauntingly beautiful works of art.

19 Apr 2012

Comparing publicly available hospital readmission rates can lead to misinformation

The odds that someone undergoing spinal surgery at a particular hospital will have to be readmitted to the same hospital within 30 days is an important measure of the quality of care patients receive. That's because these "hospital readmission rates" often reflect problems like hospital-acquired infections or complications from surgery.

18 Apr 2012

DePuy Spine launches VIPER F2 at AANS

DePuy Spine, Inc. has announced the launch of the VIPER® F2 Transfacet Pedicular System (VIPER F2), a transfacet pedicular screw and polyaxial ring system designed to provide stabilization and fixation during degenerative lumbar spinal fusion procedures.

17 Apr 2012

Intervertebral disc repair phase 2 trial update from Mesoblast

Global regenerative medicine company Mesoblast Limited (ASX:MSB) has announced that its Phase 2 clinical trial investigating the use of allogeneic, or off-the-shelf, Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (MPCs) for non-surgical restoration of degenerated intervertebral discs and treatment of low back pain has enrolled 50% of the total study patients. This rapid rate of enrolment attests to the major unmet medical need and to the relative simplicity of Mesoblast’s non-surgical procedure. Mesoblast expects to complete full enrolment by early third quarter.

17 Apr 2012

Researchers identify 56 genetic variants that influence BMD

Researchers at The Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, have co-authored the largest meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of osteoporosis as part of an international consortium and have identified dozens of genetic variants found to be linked to an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and of suffering broken bones.

17 Apr 2012

Steroids still work better for patients with sciatica

Despite the great promise that injecting a new type of anti-inflammatory pain medicine into the spine could relieve the severe leg and lower back pain of sciatica, a Johns Hopkins-led study has found that the current standard of care with steroid injections still does better.

17 Apr 2012

Football-related brain injuries appear to rise among high school students

Catastrophic brain injuries associated with full-contact football appear to be rising, especially among high school students, according to a new report.

17 Apr 2012

$Researchers identify 32 genetic regions associated with osteoporosis, fracture$

Researchers identify 32 genetic regions associated with osteoporosis, fracture

Thirty-two previously unidentified genetic regions associated with osteoporosis and fracture have been identified by a large, worldwide consortium of researchers, including Stanford Prevention Research Center chief John Ioannidis, MD, DSc. Variations in the DNA sequences in these regions confer either risk or protection from the bone-weakening disease. Many, but not all, of the regions encode proteins involved in pathways known to involve bone health.

16 Apr 2012

Biomet third quarter net sales increase 5% to $708.9 million

Biomet, Inc. announced today financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended February 29, 2012.

12 Apr 2012

USPTO issues five patents to VertiFlex Superion ISS

VertiFlex, Inc., a leading innovator of advanced minimally invasive spinal surgery technologies, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded five additional key patents covering the design and implantation method for its unique interspinous spacer technology. The five U.S. patent numbers are 8,012,207, 8,123,807, 8,123,782, 8,128,662, and 8,152,837.

11 Apr 2012

NYU Langone announces opening of Center for Musculoskeletal Care

NYU Langone Medical Center ushered in the next generation of orthopaedic, rheumatologic and rehabilitative care with the opening of the Center for Musculoskeletal Care (CMC) at 333 East 38th Street in Manhattan last week.

11 Apr 2012

HeadCase may be safe and effective for trauma victims

Undergraduate students at Rice University have come up with what they hope will prove to be a better and safer version of cervical collars to stabilize the heads and necks of accident victims. Cervical collars have been in common use since their introduction during the Vietnam War.

10 Apr 2012

DOJ reaffirms court's power to review health law case but urges caution

In response to a demand from a federal appeals court judge, Attorney General Eric Holder says the Supreme Court has the power to review whether the health law is constitutional, but he also urged the court to show "deference."

7 Apr 2012

MEDICREA first quarter sales increase 20% to 4.9 million euros

The MEDICREA Group, listed on Alternext by NYSE - Euronext Paris, a company specialized in the development of innovative surgical technologies for the treatment of spinal pathologies, announces its audited 2011 annual results approved by the Board meeting of March 29th 2012, as well as its sales for the 1st quarter of 2012.

7 Apr 2012

Study explores link between intraoperative blood loss and pediatric patients' underlying condition

The relative risk of blood loss during corrective spine surgery in children appears linked to the underlying condition causing the spinal deformity, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

7 Apr 2012

Amedica to distribute BioDfence DryFlex and Dynamic Bone allograft products

Amedica Corporation, a spinal and reconstructive implant and instrument manufacturer announced today that it will begin distribution of Dynamic Bone, a unique expandable allograft bone provided by Dynamic Surgical Solutions and BioDfence DryFlex, an easy to handle, flexible amniotic membrane manufactured by BioDlogics.

6 Apr 2012

Safe method for destroying cancer cells using death cap mushroom poison

The mere thought of an identification error sends a chill down the spine of any mushroom lover: The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides), which resembles the common white button mushroom, contains one of the most deadly poisons found in nature, α-amanitin.

2 Apr 2012

ulrich medical releases enhancements to spinal implant portfolio

ulrich medical USA, Inc. today announced the release of two important product line enhancements to their growing spinal implant portfolio of expandable cage technologies.

2 Apr 2012

UH clinical trial to evaluate stool DNA testing for colon cancer

In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, physician-scientists at University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center's Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine are studying a promising new non-invasive technology for colon cancer screening. The four-year study is recruiting patients to compare the effectiveness of stool DNA (SDNA) testing with colonoscopy for detecting large colon polyps.

31 Mar 2012

SPIN fourth quarter net revenue increases 53% to $5,212,165

Spine Pain Management, Inc., through its Chief Executive Officer, William F. Donovan, M.D., is pleased to report financial results for the year ended December 31, 2011.

31 Mar 2012