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July 7, 2004 - The C&S Patient Education Foundation today announced that it has added two new members to it's Scientific Advisory Board:  Dr. Terry Lichtor, a neurosurgeon with academic appointments at Rush University Medical Center and Loyola University, and Dr. John Oshinski, a Radiology Professor at Emory University and MRI expert.  "Given the complex nature of Chiari and syringomyelia, it is important that the Foundation has a highly qualified team of Scientific Advisors," said Rick Labuda, Executive Director of C&S Patient Education Foundation.  "We are very excited about the addition of Dr. Lichtor and Dr. Oshinski to our Advisory Board and we look forward to utilizing their vast experience and expertise."

Dr. Lichtor is an Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at Rush University Medical Center and a Clinical Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at Loyola University. In addition to his academic appointments, Dr. Lichtor is an attending neurosurgeon at several Chicago area hospitals and has been named one of America's Top Surgeons. In addition to his medical degree, Dr. Lichtor holds a PhD and is actively involved in researching Chiari and syringomyelia.

John Oshinski, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Radiology at Emory University. An MRI expert, Dr. Oshinski specializes in the imaging and analysis of fluid flow. He has studied blood flow and cardiac disease extensively and is now using his expertise to study the role of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) flow in Chiari and syringomyelia as well. Dr. Oshinski is a registered Professional Engineer and is a founding member of the Society of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance.

Dr. Lichtor and Dr. Oshinski join current Advisory Board members Dr. Ghassan Bejjani, a neurosurgery professor at the University of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Frank Loth, a bioengineering professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago. 

According to Mr. Labuda, the C&S Patient Education Foundation is looking to add one or two more members to it's Advisory Board.

About C&S Patient Education Foundation

C&S Patient Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the experiences and outcomes of Chiari and syringomyelia patients through education, awareness, and research.  Through it's web site (www.chiari-syringo-news.org), and the on-line, monthly newsletter, Chiari & Syringomyelia News, the C&S Patient Education Foundation provides patients, family members, and medical professionals with accurate, up-to-date, information in an easy-to-understand format.  The Chiari & Syringomyelia News web site has received over 1,000,000 hits in it's first year of operation.

About Chiari And Syringomyelia

Chiari (a brain malformation) and syringomyelia (a fluid-filled cyst in the spinal cord) are serious neurological conditions which combined affect more than 300,000 people in the United States.  Symptoms include severe headaches and neck pain, loss of sensation and weakness in arms and legs, balance problems, visual disturbances, and trouble swallowing and speaking.  Chiari is the leading cause of syringomyelia, and approximately 30%-50% of people with Chiari also develop syringomyelia.  Left untreated, syringomyelia can result in permanent nerve damage and paralysis. 

Contact:
Rick Labuda
editor@chiari-syringo-news.com
724-940-0116