department of otolaryngology

Stanford University School of Medicine’s Lloyd Minor, MD, center, spoke about health care in the era of precision medicine during his recent Flexner Discovery Lecture. Here, he poses with VUMC’s David Haynes, MD, left, and Ron Eavey, MD.
February 28, 2019

Precision health talk

Stanford University School of Medicine’s Lloyd Minor, MD, center, spoke about health care in the era of precision medicine during his recent Flexner Discovery Lecture.

By VUMC News and Communications
Young Kim, MD, PhD, left, Michael Korrer, PhD, and colleagues are studying a potential new cancer immunotherapy option.
February 21, 2019

Discovery points to new cancer immunotherapy option

An international team involving Vanderbilt researchers has discovered that a new “checkpoint” protein on immune system cells is active in tumors, and that blocking it — in combination with other treatments — is a successful therapeutic approach in mouse models of cancer.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 14, 2019

Study aims to change standard of care for laryngeal paralysis

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s David Zealear, PhD, has received a $3.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a clinical trial to study the effectiveness of bilateral laryngeal pacing in treating patients with a bilaterally paralyzed larynx.

By Kelsey Herbers
February 14, 2019

Stanford’s Minor set for Feb. 21 Discovery Lecture

Lloyd Minor, MD, the Carl and Elizabeth Naumann Dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine, will discuss “Digitally Driven: Health Care in the Era of Precision Health,” during a Flexner Discovery Lecture on Thusday, Feb. 21.

By Bill Snyder
January 17, 2019

Study finds unique form of chronic sinusitis in older patients

Older patients with a diagnosis of chronic sinusitis — a disease of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses that often persists over many years — have a unique inflammatory signature that may render them less responsive to steroid treatment, according to a new study published by Vanderbilt researchers.

By Kelsey Herbers
November 15, 2018

Surgeon helps restore cancer patients’ functionality

Sarah Rohde long had an interest in treating cancer, and her research during her undergraduate and medical school years at the University of Virginia underscored that. What she didn’t expect was to become a surgeon.

By Matt Batcheldor
October 25, 2018

New support group formed for patients with Ménière’s disease

Beginning Nov. 6, Vanderbilt’s Department of Otolaryngology will host a monthly support group for patients living with Ménière’s disease, a disorder effecting the inner ear that is characterized by episodes of symptoms such as vertigo (dizziness), tinnitus (a ringing inside the ear) and hearing loss.
By Kelsey Herbers
October 2, 2018

Gordon receives $2.3 million NIH Director’s New Innovator Award

Reyna Gordon, PhD, assistant professor of Otolaryngology and director of the Music Cognition Lab in the Department of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s New Innovator Award of $2.3 million in total costs for her project, “Biomarkers of Rhythmic Communication: Integrating Foundational and Translational Approaches.”
By Matt Batcheldor
August 23, 2018

Study explores risk factors for acoustic neuroma growth

Surgeons face a delicate proposition when treating acoustic neuromas, benign tumors on the nerve that affect hearing and balance. Removing small tumors through surgery and radiation can cause complications such as the loss of hearing, when the tumors may not grow and impact quality of life for years. But not removing them can allow them to grow and be more difficult to remove and pose even greater risks.
By Matt Batcheldor
March 29, 2018

Design competition aims to assist laryngectomy patients

The first annual LaryHacks, a competition to design innovative devices, apps or methods to assist laryngectomy patients who have had their voice boxes removed, has been set for Thursday, April 12, 5 to 8 p.m., in the Wond’ry, 2414 Highland Ave. in the Vanderbilt University Engineering and Science building.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 22, 2018

Ear Community at the FDA

Ron Eavey, MD, Guy M. Maness Professor and chair of Otolaryngology and director of the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, far right, testified recently at the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C., along with members of Ear Community.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 22, 2018

Novel research explores way to restore silenced voices

A 2011 cicada swarm is leading to transinstitutional research at the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) to develop a surgical planning tool to help restore speech for people with vocal fold paralysis.
By Matt Batcheldor and Liz Entman
March 14, 2018

Botox for the shaky voice

Vanderbilt investigators found that Botox injection into the vocal cords can lead to improved quality of life for patients with voice muscle problems.
By Leigh MacMillan