Spine

Back pain imaging and vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral fractures were among the list of Medicare's "low-value" procedures in 2009, and new studies are examining whether these procedures are overused.

Toms River, N.J.-based New Jersey CyberKnife, a service of Community Medical Center also in Toms River, announced the addition of John Lipani, MD, to its physician team, according to an Asbury Park Press report.

  The American Association of Neurological Surgeons named Gail L. Rosseau, MD, FAANS, vice president.

Jeffrey Nees, MD, recently became the second neurosurgeon in an Oklahoma ambulatory surgery center to perform a two-level artificial disc replacement.

Spinal Deformity recently published an article examining the current state of spine surgery residency and fellowship training in the United States.

  Here are 10 spine surgeons and specialists making headlines this week.

  Several spine surgeons and researchers received The Kostuik Innovation Award from the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery for their work on variability of three-column osteotomies for spinal deformity.

GlobalData has updated its outlook on spinal fusions, which have undergone extensive scrutiny from the medical community.

Spine recently published an article examining the radiographical and clinical outcomes of posterior column osteotomies for spinal deformity correction.

Neurosurgery, the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, has appointed Elad I. Levy, MD, as editor of the endovascular section.