Fonar Corp (FONR)

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ACSS Spine Surgeons Hear Professor F.W. Smith, M.D. Report That the FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) MRI Successfully Diagnosed 54% of the Back Pain Patients That Could NOT Be Diagnosed by Recumbent MRI

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 08, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- FONAR Corporation ( FONR.D ), The Inventor of MR Scanning(TM), reported that at its May 2007 Annual Meeting, the American College of Spine Surgeons (ACSS) selected Francis W. Smith, M.D., Professor of Radiology, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, to present its "Emerging Technology" CE* lecture. Professor Smith featured the FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) Multi-Position MRI and its benefits in diagnosing spine pathology.

Professor Smith told attendees, "We performed a peer reviewed study of 63 patients who experienced low back pain and some radicular leg pain who had previously been undiagnosed by recumbent MRI scanning. Of the group, significant pathology was found by the FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) MRI in 54% of patients that had been unable to find the cause of their back pain by recumbent MRI. We scanned all of the patients in the recumbent position, upright neutral, upright flexion and upright extension position. The important message to spine surgeons regarding this study is that many pathologies are only evident in the upright, weight-bearing position. You cannot rely on the recumbent MRI to determine the pathology that is responsible for your patient's back pain."

When questioned, Professor Smith said he would rather have a diagnostic picture from an Upright(TM) MRI that achieves the diagnosis than a recumbent MRI picture that misses the pathology altogether.

Richard Holt, M.D., Spine Surgery, P.S.C., of Louisville, Kentucky, a spine surgeon and attendee of Dr. Smith's presentation said, "Dr. Smith gave a very convincing presentation. The Upright(TM) Multi-Position(TM) MRI offers the way to make the diagnosis in cases that are currently undiagnosable."

Dr. Raymond Damadian, president and founder of FONAR said, "FONAR is very pleased by the recognition of the American College of Spine Surgeons (ACSS) and their members together with their acknowledgement of the unique value of the FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) MRI to the spine surgeon. We especially appreciate recognition by our nation's top spine surgeons of the promise FONAR's UPRIGHT(TM) MRI holds for sharply improving patient surgical outcomes in a field where surgeons often have to settle for less than optimal surgical results because of the recumbent MRI's inability to visualize the pathology they need to see."

FONAR(R) was incorporated in 1978, making it the first, oldest and most experienced MRI manufacturer in the industry. FONAR introduced the world's first commercial MRI in 1980, and went public in 1981. Since its inception, FONAR has installed hundreds of MRI scanners worldwide. Their stellar product line includes the FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) Multi-Position(TM) MRI (also known as the STAND-UP(TM) MRI), the only whole-body MRI that performs Full Range of Motion(TM) Multi-Position(TM) imaging (mpMRI(TM)) that enables patients to be scanned in numerous weight-bearing positions, i.e. standing, sitting, in flexion, extension, and in particular in the position that generates symptoms so that a picture can be directly obtained of the actual pathology giving rise to the patient's symptoms (e.g. pain). The scanner also performs all the scans of a conventional MRI with the patients in his usual lie-down position. The FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) Multi-Position(TM) MRI often sees the patient's problem that other scanners cannot because they are lie-down only. With nearly one half million patients scanned, the patient-friendly FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) Multi-Position(TM) MRI has a near zero claustrophobic rejection rate by patients. A radiologist said, "FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) MRI - No More Claustrophobia - The Tunnel Is Gone." As another FONAR customer states, "If the patient is claustrophobic in this scanner, they'll be claustrophobic in my parking lot." Approximately 85% of patients are scanned sitting while they watch a 42" flat screen TV. FONAR's latest MRI scanner is the FONAR 360(TM), a room-size recumbent scanner that optimizes openness while facilitating physician access to the patient. FONAR is headquartered on Long Island, New York, and has approximately 400 employees.

* Continuing Education

The Inventor of MR Scanning(TM), Full Range of Motion(TM), STAND-UP(TM), UPRIGHT(TM), Multi-Position(TM), pMRI(TM), True Flow(TM), and The Proof is in the Picture(TM) are trademarks of FONAR Corporation.

Be sure to visit FONAR's Web site for Company product and investor information: www.fonar.com.

This release may include forward-looking statements from the company that may or may not materialize. Additional information on factors that could potentially affect the company's financial results may be found in the company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE: FONAR Corporation

FONAR Corporation
Daniel Culver, 631-694-2929
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Copyright Business Wire 2007