Stem cell implant goes wrong, woman grows nose on her spine

Eight years ago, cells were taken from the patient’s nose and implanted in her spine to cure paralysis.

Clearly, it didn’t work.

Doctors say the growth was producing a “thick mucus-like material,” and was causing pain as it pressed on her spine.

New Scientist reports, "surgeons removed a 3-centimeter-long growth, which was found to be mainly nasal tissue, as well as bits of bone and tiny nerve branches that had not connected with the spinal nerves."

The implant was done in Portugal, but the growth was removed in the US.

The Knoepfler Lab Stem Cell Blog quotes Leigh Turner of the University of Minnesota who said, "the case shows that even patients who feel they have nothing to lose should be cautious. "We still need to think in terms of risks and benefits."

More here.