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Vagal nerve stimulation, an innovative therapy for depression

The Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center medical team involved in the research and development of an innovative therapy for depression - vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) - is starting a new clinic for patients who have treatment-resistant depression.

19 Jul 2005

Removal, restructure and re-implantation of the nasal septum provides option for difficult nasal plastic surgery

A surgical technique that requires the removal, restructure and re-implantation of the nasal septum (the partition of the nose between the nostrils) appears to be a useful option for repairing the hard-to-treat severely deviated septum, according to an article in the July/August issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

19 Jul 2005

Treatment options for skull base tumors

It is estimated that in 2000, more than 359,000 persons were living with a diagnosis of a primary brain tumor in the United States. In 2005, it is estimated that nearly 12,800 deaths will be associated with malignant tumors of the brain and other parts of the central nervous system. Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children age 19 and younger.

28 Jun 2005

Minimally invasive approach to removing diseased thyroids

An incision about half the length used for traditional surgery works just as well in removing diseased thyroids, researchers have found.

27 Jun 2005

Pioneering new thyroid treatment

The doctor has developed a revolutionary technique for treating hyperthyroidism, also known as Graves' Disease. And earlier this month, Culham became the first person in North America to undergo the new procedure.

21 Jun 2005

Great Ormond Street Hospital celebrates 100th lung and 200th heart transplant

World famous Great Ormond Street Hospital is planning to officially mark its 100th lung and 200th heart transplant on this week.

21 Jun 2005

Keyhole surgery can be safely used for the removal of tumours from the colon

The safety and short-term benefits of keyhole surgery for colon cancer have been debatable. Minimally invasive surgery for cancer reduces surgical trauma but there has been concern that it could lead to tumour recurrence.

20 Jun 2005

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective, longlasting treatment for small kidney tumors in selected patients

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have shown that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) - a minimally invasive way of destroying tissue - is an effective, longlasting treatment for small kidney tumors in selected patients.

20 Jun 2005

Invasive treatment including stenting may be more effective for heart attack patients who arrive late at hospital

Invasive treatment including stenting may have better outcomes than conventional treatments for heart attack patients who arrive at the hospital more than 12 hours after symptoms began, according to a study in the June 15 issue of JAMA.

14 Jun 2005

Patients with cancer of the esophagus benefit from new technique developed by OHSU surgeons

Surgeons at the Oregon Health & Science University Digestive Health Center have developed a new technique that makes feasible and safe a potentially lifesaving and noninvasive surgical procedure known as laparoscopic esophagectomy.

9 Jun 2005

Public report cards may affect angioplasty decisions

Fear of public reporting of mortality rates may explain why cardiologists in New York are less likely than cardiologists in Michigan to perform angioplasty and other percutaneous coronary interventions on higher risk patients, according to a new study in the June 7, 2005, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

9 Jun 2005

Three pancreatic islet cell transplants successfully treat type 1 diabetic woman

A Davidson woman has been successfully treated for her Type 1 diabetes through a procedure performed at Carolinas Medical Center. Paul F. Gores, M.D., has led a multi-disciplinary team through a series of three pancreatic islet cell transplants since the summer of 2003. The result is a patient who is now insulin-free.

8 Jun 2005

Baby born to woman following an ovary transplant from her sister

Doctors in St. Louis say a woman whose ovaries stopped working when she was a teenager, after an ovary transplant from her identical twin sister, has given birth to a baby girl.

8 Jun 2005

Shock wave therapy shows remarkable results in wound healing and curing myocardial diseases

Effective, non-invasive and practically without side effects - extracorporeal shock wave therapy has demonstrated impressive results not only in orthopedics and traumatology, but also in treating fresh and chronic wounds as well as circulatory disorders of the myocardial muscle.

31 May 2005

New treatment for wrinkles

Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s Center for Cosmetic Care in Edina now has a new option for people seeking treatment to slow down the aging process of our skin - the Fraxel.

26 May 2005

Minimally invasive procedure to treat varicose veins results in less swelling, bruising and minimal pain

The return of warm summer months can be a dreadful time for women who are embarrassed to wear shorts or short skirts due to unsightly, twisted and swollen varicose veins.

23 May 2005

British surgeons remove part of a woman's brain to cure her epilepsy

Helen Hollis, 41, from Teversal, near Mansfield, Nottingham, a former nurse and the mother of two, had her first seizure aged 19, but had to wait years before her condition was diagnosed.

23 May 2005

Proof that chiropractic treatment helps migraine sufferers

Seventy-two per cent of migraine sufferers in a clinical trial experienced either 'substantial' or 'noticeable' improvement after a period of chiropractic treatment, defying historical skepticism of chiropractics by some medical practitioners.

22 May 2005

The American College of Surgeons publishes manual on surgical patient safety

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has announced the publication of its new manual Surgical Patient Safety: Essential Information for Surgeons in Today's Environment. Edited by Barry M. Manuel, MD, FACS, and Paul F. Nora, MD, FACS, the manual is intended to provide guidance and leadership in evolving areas of patient safety in the surgical profession.

16 May 2005

Tonsil swabbing is terrible - it makes people gag

Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat surgeons hoped to find a more user-friendly test for strep throat than swabbing the tonsils directly, but instead discovered that the swab has to touch the tonsils to accurately detect the infection.

15 May 2005