UT ORL Update

New Horizons for Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis

Amber Luong, MD, PhD     e-mail

      Chronic rhinosinusitis represents a syndrome characterized by nasal symptoms including discolored nasal drainage, nasal obstruction or congestion, and pain or tenderness over the sinuses; this syndrome resulting results from a number of possible etiologies. It is estimated that chronic sinusitis accounts for over 24 million patient visits annually and over $200 million in expenditures for treatment. Read More»

Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery for Malignant Tumors of the Skull Base

Samer Fakhri, MD     e-mail

      Over the last 3 decades, we have witnessed a tremendous expansion of the applications of the rigid endoscope as a surgical tool. Improved understanding of endoscopic sinonasal anatomy, technological advances in instrumentation and imaging protocols, and advent of computer-aided surgery applications have enabled the endoscopic surgeon to address complex sinonasal and skull base pathology. Adoption of minimally invasive endoscopic approaches to manage skull base malignancies has generated controversy and forced a healthy debate on the validity of traditional surgical oncologic principles in extirpating cranial base tumors. Read More»

Vocal Fold Paresis: New Recognition for a Subtle, but Disabling Disorder

Ronda Alexander, MD     e-mail

     The past decade has seen vocal fold paresis gain a foothold in the diagnostic algorithm of otorhinolaryngologists. It is now accepted that neurologic impairments of vocal fold motion exist along a continuum and can range from obvious dysphonia and full immobility to subtle physical findings and somewhat ambiguous symptoms. Identification of this condition requires a careful ear and eye during the patient encounter and special diagnostic techniques to gain a global understanding of the individual patient’s disorder. Read More»

New Ethmoid Spacer For Drug Delivery

Martin J. Citardi, MD, FACS     e-mail

      Since its introduction more than 3 years ago, balloon catheter dilatation of sinus ostia has engendered considerable controversy. In 2008, a variety of publications have provided additional information about the technology and its apparent efficacy. Read More »