Research In Brief

NEJM's impact on vertebroplasty: Vertebroplasty and vertebral augmentation procedures have declined 10% since studies published in the August New England Journal of Medicine found the procedures had no lasting benefit, according to a Millennium Research Group report. The report, based on a survey of 245 U.S. physicians, said the decrease in procedures was largely due to fewer patient referrals. MRG notes that 70% of specialists who perform vertebroplasty compression fracture (VCF) treatments disagree with the NEJM findings, versus 30% of referring physicians. In the blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled studies, the treatment showed no significant difference in the primary endpoint of overall pain up to six months post-procedure (1"The Gray Sheet" Aug. 10, 2009)