The field of otorhinolaryngology is evolving as physicians turn to less invasive and more precise surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat a variety of ear, nose, and throat conditions. At this year's meeting of the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, held in San Diego in October, innovation was on display as researchers discussed a variety of current and emerging technologies for use in sinus and head and neck surgery.

The Ninth Annual Symposium for the International Society for the Advance of Spine Surgery (SAS9), held this spring in London, welcomed almost 1,700 attendees, double that of 2008, and most sessions provided a spirit of optimism despite the harsh economic environment. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) took center stage as applications widen and techniques improve, while facet joint replacement devices and materials to simplify revisions also drew crowds.

Panacea Pharmaceuticals is developing products to detect and treat CNS diseases and cancer.