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Study: How cost fits into the transport to a trauma center
Darla FerraraInjuries are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 1 and 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Given that fact, it is understandable that EMS personnel — especially air medical services — look for the nearest trauma center when creating a transportation and treatment plan. But is this always the best choice?
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Complications from laser lipo when not performed by plastic surgeons
Dr. Jonathan KaplanLaser liposuction is powerful and requires training to avoid burning of the skin and extensive scarring. The problem is that most doctors using laser lipo are typically the least trained in liposuction techniques because they aren’t plastic surgeons.
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Misdiagnosis of epilepsy in children is common, but preventable
Dr. Denise A. ValentiA study in 2000 found as many as 20 to 40 percent of epileptics may have been misdiagnosed. In the research, 31 of 74 adult men diagnosed with epilepsy were found to have alternative diagnosis, and this included 13 of 36 men who had been receiving anticonvulsant medications.
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Acquired savant syndrome: A positive side to brain injury?
Maria FrischSavant syndrome is a rare condition in which a person exhibits genius-level ability, such as photographic memory, artistic brilliance or exceptional mathematical skill — in the face of a cognitive handicap.
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Size matters in lung transplants — and bigger is better
Joy BurgessPreviously, lung transplant experts have worked hard to match donor lung size close to the lung size of the transplant recipient. Physicians pursued size-matching due to the concern that lungs that were too large or too small could lead to potential problems, such as poor lung function, after transplantation. However, new transplant research is shattering that theory.
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Emergency medical equipment donations in developing countries
Maria FrischIn the summer of 2012, I served in rural areas of Kenya, working with AMREF Flying Doctors to bring medical interventions to communities in need. To say this was a humbling experience would be an understatement. We flew by helicopter into areas not accessible by vehicle in order to assess community medical infrastructure and to aid in the design and provision of emergency medical management protocols.
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Improving brain surgery with laser-guided tool
Dorothy L. TenglerFor every 100,000 people in the United States (US), approximately 221 have been diagnosed with brain tumors, 138,054 with a malignant tumor and more than 550,042 with a non-malignant tumor. Metastatic brain tumors are the most common. Surgery is an essential component in the treatment of these brain tumors. However surgeons face challenges when removing brain tumors. They need to remove all the tumor without leaving behind any cells that could start a new tumor. They also need to be extremely careful not to damage any healthy tissue to minimize any risk to the patient.
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Is startup biotech funding at risk?
Mike WokaschOver the past couple of decades, small biotech companies have been an invaluable source of exciting new drug treatments. As a result, investors have been handsomely rewarded for funding these high-risk, speculative technologies that helped fill depleted Big Pharma pipelines. Companies with any hope for delivering a return on investor money have two possibilities; have one of their technologies acquired or have the entire company acquired by a cash rich Big Pharma or Big Biotech.
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Anonymity often leads to physician bullying online
Pamela Lewis DolanDiscussions that used to take place around water coolers and in doctor’s lounges have moved to online message boards, blogs and social media sites. But the Internet has also given some physicians an outlet to unleash vitriolic commentary many would never consider unleashing on a colleague in person.
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The rise of the artificial disc
Heidi DawsonA degenerative intervertebral disc is the most common diagnosis in cases of chronic lumbar pain. Constant pressure from above, coupled with shearing forces and absorbing repeated impacts causes weakening of the annulus, which may eventually lead to a herniation of the central nucleus. Pain then becomes more acute and more difficult to treat conservatively.
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