2020
Loss of nucleus accumbens low-frequency fluctuations is a signature of chronic pain
Makary MM, Polosecki P, Cecchi GA, DeAraujo IE, Barron DS, Constable TR, Whang PG, Thomas DA, Mowafi H, Small DM, Geha P. Loss of nucleus accumbens low-frequency fluctuations is a signature of chronic pain. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2020, 117: 10015-10023. PMID: 32312809, PMCID: PMC7211984, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1918682117.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic low back pain patientsLow back pain patientsChronic painPain patientsChronic phaseChronic back pain patientsBack pain patientsRostral anterior cingulate cortexAnterior cingulate cortexAdditional independent datasetsRisk of transitionResting-state activityPersistent painBack painAccumbens volumeHealthy controlsNucleus accumbensPainSeparate cohortPatientsCingulate cortexPrevalent diseaseFunctional connectivityLoss of nucleiSubcortical signatures
2008
Financial Incentives for Lumbar Surgery: A Critical Analysis of Physician Reimbursement for Decompression and Fusion Procedures
Whang PG, Lim MR, Sasso RC, Skelton A, Brown ZB, Anderson D, Albert TJ, Hilibrand AS, Vaccaro AR. Financial Incentives for Lumbar Surgery: A Critical Analysis of Physician Reimbursement for Decompression and Fusion Procedures. Clinical Spine Surgery A Spine Publication 2008, 21: 381-386. PMID: 18679090, DOI: 10.1097/bsd.0b013e31814d4e1b.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInstrumented fusion proceduresFusion proceduresIsolated decompressionAutogenous iliac crest boneSingle-level decompressionIliac crest boneLumbar degenerative conditionsLumbar decompressionLumbar surgeryPostoperative visitDecompression groupSingle surgeonConsecutive seriesOffice chartsOperative reportsPosterolateral fusionSurgical timeTotal clinical timeCrest boneLumbar degenerationSpinal fusionBACKGROUND DATALumbar arthrodesisType of operationSpine surgeons