Head and neck surgery moves to new Siteman Cancer Center

photo of waiting area at Siteman Cancer Center

The Division of Head and Neck Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University has moved their clinic into the new Siteman Cancer Center at 4500 Forest Park Ave. Formerly housed on the 11th floor of the Center for Advanced Medicine, the division now occupies one full hallway on the 5th floor of Siteman’s new […]

Durakovic continues WashU representation in Barany Society

photo of Nedim Durakovic, MD

Washington University neurotologist Nedim Durakovic, MD, and Professor Emeritus Joel Goebel, MD, attended the biannual meeting of the Barany Society – an international assembly of scientists and clinicians involved in vestibular research. The WashU contingent offered a pair of presentations at this year’s meeting: Founded in 1960, the Society is named after Robert Barany, otolaryngologist […]

Harbison performs first scarless thyroidectomy

Washington University head and neck surgeon Alex Harbison, MD, has performed the institution’s first transoral thyroidectomy to remove the thyroid gland from a patient suffering from hyperthyroidism. The procedure was developed ten years ago in Thailand but is still relatively new in the United States. Harbison learned the technique during his head and neck surgical […]

Final surgery course for McMillan Sim Lab

The Multidisciplinary Surgical Simulation Lab in McMillan Hospital saw its final surgery course on May 11. The lab moves to its new location at the 6th floor of Farrell Learning and Teaching Center next month. Residents from the departments of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology practiced a variety of surgical approaches to the anterior skull base, including […]

When the doctor becomes the patient

photo of attendees at the survivorship symposium

“One year ago to the day,” Mark Varvares, MD, told an audience of cancer survivors, “I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.” A cancer surgeon himself, he went on to share an emotional personal experience with cancer that would alter his perspective on patient care. The Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine […]

Open surgery replacing more conservative management for airway stenosis

photo of Matt Rohlfing with WashU Shield

Washington University laryngologist Matt Rohlfing, MD, brings new hope to patients with airway deficiencies that are unresponsive to endoscopic management. Tracheal stenosis is a narrowing of the windpipe (trachea) that can lead to shortness of breath and coughing. The condition is most commonly caused by trauma due to intubation or tracheostomy – an opening to […]

Sharing our expertise: 2024 Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings

Faculty and trainees from the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine will share their expertise in patient care and advancements in research at the upcoming Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) in Chicago, May 15-19. The annual meeting brings together the membership of the nine COSM societies, otolaryngology residents and fellows in training, […]

Successful removal of rare tumor a multidisciplinary effort

photo of Wiley Shannon and mom

A rare pediatric tumor brought together a multidisciplinary team of surgeons from Washington University School of Medicine that included specialists from Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery and Ophthalmology. In March 2022, Wiley Shannon was a typical ten year old, very much ready to turn 11 in another month. His mother Katie Shannon described him as creative and musical, […]

CareOrbit launched to improve complex patient care

Washington University head and neck cancer specialist Jason Rich, MD, is now providing head and neck cancer patients a lighted pathway to understanding their care in an online resource known as CareOrbit. We’ve all experienced the frustration of trying to extract the truth from the mass of information we encounter using online search tools. Imagine […]

Calm amidst the storm

photo of Nedim Durakovic, MD

A simple procedure offered by Washington University’s Dizziness and Balance Center has changed the life of a patient whose medical history is complicated by repeated bouts of skull base tumors. Christine Chapman has suffered from recurring glomus tumors since the age of 19, a conditioned treated by neurotologist Jacques Herzog, MD.  The tumors, also known […]