Contents

 Editorial

n MESSAGE FROM THE MEDICAL EDITOR
An End to Bean Counting?   
Eeric Truumees, MD


n FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
A Bridge to the Summit 
Charles L. Branch, Jr, MD


n LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
John Prunskis, MD, FIPP 
Reply: Matthew Smuck, MD

Douglas Moreland, MD 
Reply: Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach, MD, JD 

 Current Concepts

n INVITED REVIEW
Pathophysiology and Biomechanical Implications of Ankylosing Spondylitis
in the Spine 
Nicholas J. Szerlip, MD; Charles L. Schnee, MD, FACS


n CURVE/COUNTERCURVE
Degenerative Disc Disease: To Fuse or Not to Fuse? 
Alpesh A. Patel, Md; Peter G. Whang, MD; Jeffrey C. Wang, MD


n RADIOLOGY ROUNDS
Contrast Flow Patterns Observed During Epidural Steroid Injections 
Scott R. Laker, MD; Christopher J. Standaert, MD; Francis H. Shen, MD


 Socioeconomics &  Politics

n REGULATORY POLICY
Survey Results: Spinal Procedure Positioning Time 
Charles Mick, MD; Allison Waxler, MS

n CODING Q & A
Facet Joint Injections and Facet Nerve Blocks 
Christopher J. Standaert, MD; David R. O'Brien Jr, MD
 

n ADVOCACY/LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
NASS Board Approves First in Series of Position Statements
North American Spine Society Position on Medicare Part B Payments: The Sustainable Growth Rate Formula 
Douglas Slaughter, MD; Raj Rao, MD; Nicholas A. Schilligo, MS

 NASS News