department of otolaryngology Archives
Study aims to change standard of care for laryngeal paralysis
Feb. 14, 2019—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.
Stanford’s Minor set for Feb. 21 Discovery Lecture
Feb. 14, 2019—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.
Study finds unique form of chronic sinusitis in older patients
Jan. 17, 2019—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.
Surgeon helps restore cancer patients’ functionality
Nov. 15, 2018—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.
New support group formed for patients with Ménière’s disease
Oct. 25, 2018—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.
Gordon receives $2.3 million NIH Director’s New Innovator Award
Oct. 2, 2018—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.”
Study explores risk factors for acoustic neuroma growth
Aug. 23, 2018—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.
Design competition aims to assist laryngectomy patients
Mar. 29, 2018—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.
Ear Community at the FDA
Mar. 22, 2018—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.
Novel research explores way to restore silenced voices
Mar. 22, 2018—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.
Botox for the shaky voice
Mar. 14, 2018—Vanderbilt investigators found that Botox injection into the vocal cords can lead to improved quality of life for patients with voice muscle problems.
VUMC mourns renowned neurotologist Glasscock
Feb. 22, 2018—Renowned neurotologist Michael E. Glasscock III, MD, adjunct professor of Otolaryngology, died Feb. 17 in the home he shared with his daughter, Martina Glasscock Barnes, in Asheville, North Carolina. He was 84. The cause of death was kidney disease.