Otolaryngology – Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery

Pediatric Otolaryngology Clinic - Moakley

617.638.8124

The department evaluates approximately 13,000 patients per year in the otolaryngology outpatient clinics and performs nearly 1,700 hospital-based surgical procedures annually. The Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery provides care for patients with problems involving the ears, sinuses, oral cavity, nose, throat, neck (ENT) including sinus conditions, allergy, sleep disorders, and snoring.

"Dr. Grillone is such a class act! Very accommodating and helpful! Saw him 8 years prior and he remembered me. I am happy he's right around the corner from my office. And he brings in fellow docs he can trust and will help make your case top priority."

~ Anonymous

The department also specializes in swallowing disorders, voice problems, dizziness and balance disorders, and hearing loss, cancers of the head and neck and the division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery offers cosmetic surgery and management of facial deformities and facial fractures.

Our physicians are making headlines in local news.

Contact Us

830 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Ground Floor, Suite 1400
Moakley Building 617.638.8124
Monday-Friday - 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Specialty Clinics

Audiology (Hearing Problems)

Audiologists at Boston Medical Center provide services to a wide variety of patients, ranging from newborn babies to elderly adults. The team performs a number of diagnostic tests in our state-of-the-art clinic. Testing ranges from basic hearing tests that require the patient to raise their hand in response to sounds to more advanced testing which uses computer generated signals to elicit responses in the brainstem (ABR). We also provide testing for those who are suspected of having auditory processing disorders.

Dizziness and Balance Problems

Dizziness, problems with balance, tendency to fall, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears are among the most common problems that prompt people to seek evaluation by an otolaryngologist. To help meet the need for evaluation of patients with these kinds of problems, the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery has a facility devoted to the evaluation and management of dizziness (disequilibrium), vertigo, hearing loss with aging (presbycusis), and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

Facial Plastic Surgery

Boston Medical Center is pleased to provide world-class facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for a wide range of conditions.

Head and Neck Cancer Program

The Head and Neck Cancer Center is a major provider for patients with early-stage, recurrent, or aggressive head and neck cancers. The nationally recognized team of multidisciplinary specialists who care for these patients collaborate to manage patient care from the first consultation through treatment and follow-up.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Program (HHT)

The HHT Program at Boston Medical Center includes medical providers from 10 specialties, committed to providing coordinated, excellent care including genetic counseling and testing, diagnosis, screening, and treatment to optimize the health and lives of those affected by HHT.

Nose, Sinus, and Allergy Care

It can be difficult for individuals to tell if they are suffering from allergies or have a more serious condition like chronic sinusitis. At Boston Medical Center, the physicians who care for these conditions work with each patient individually to come up with a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Pediatrics - Otolaryngology (ENT)

The Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology (otherwise known as Ear, Nose, and Throat, or ENT) provides care for patients with problems involving the ears, sinuses, oral cavity, airway, nose, throat, and neck including sinus conditions, neck masses, allergy, and snoring.

Skull Base Surgery

Skull based tumors are found in the bones, cartilage, and other tissues that form the face and skull. This includes the eye sockets, top of the nose, the inner ear and the parts of the body next to and between them. These tumors can be cancerous, or benign. Finding a team of healthcare specialists who work together to develop a treatment plan is essential for successful outcomes and for each patient’s well-being, and it is the mission of BMC’s skull base surgery team.

Speech Language Pathology

The Center for Voice and Swallowing offers a wide range of services and specialty care for adults and feeding therapy for children. We team up with many disciplines to make sure we are providing a team-based approach to giving you the best treatment possible. Our goal is to deliver high quality care to all of our patients.

Voice and Swallowing (Throat Problems)

Boston Medical Center's Voice and Swallowing department houses a team of experts, including voice therapists, laryngologists, and speech-language pathologists and offers a wide array of diagnostic and treatment options for people with vocal or swallowing disorders.

Conditions We Treat

Treatments & Services

Ear Plastic Surgery

Ear deformities occur in a number of conditions. Some patients are born with absent (microtia), protruding or drooping ears, due to weak or poorly formed cartilage. Traumatic deformities of the ear also occur due to trauma (e.g. car wreck or dog bite) or torn earlobes. Deformity of the ears may cause social anxiety and may make children vulnerable to teasing. Regardless of the origin of the ear deformity, these ear conditions can be surgically corrected. These procedures do not alter the patient's hearing, but they may improve appearance and self-confidence.

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Cochlear Implant Surgery

There are several types of cochlear implants. Working with the doctor, adults and children choose the cochlear implant to best fit their needs. The team provides explanations of the different options available for internal/external components, speech processors, etc.

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Breathing Exercises

Buteyko is a clinically-proven, natural, safe breathing retraining program which utilizes the body’s self-healing capacities. It is based on the standard medical principles of respiration and the Bohr effect.

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Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

The most common and effective nonsurgical treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP which is applied through a nasal or facial mask while you sleep. The CPAP device does not breathe for you. Instead, it creates a flow of air pressure when you inhale that is strong enough to keep your airway passages open. Once your otolaryngologist determines that CPAP is the right treatment, you will need to wear the CPAP mask every night.

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Nose Surgery

Each year thousands of people undergo surgery of the nose. Nasal surgery may be performed for cosmetic purposes, or a combination procedure to improve both form and function. It also may alleviate or cure nasal breathing problems, correct deformities from birth or injury, or support an aging, drooping nose. Patients who are considering nasal surgery for any reason should seek a doctor who is a specialist in nasal airway function, as well as plastic surgery. This will ensure that efficient breathing is as high a priority as appearance.

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Sinus Surgery

The ear, nose, and throat specialist will prescribe many medications (antibiotics, decongestants, nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines) and procedures (flushing) for treating acute sinusitis. There are occasions when physician and patient find that the infections are recurrent and/or non-responsive to the medication. When this occurs, surgery to enlarge the openings that drain the sinuses is an option.

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Treatment Options for Adults with Snoring

Snoring is a sound produced by vibration of the soft tissues of the upper airway during sleep and is indicative of increased upper airway resistance. Studies estimate that 45% of men and 30% of women snore on a regular basis. It can affect not only the snorer’s sleep but also the sleep of a spouse or other family members nearby. In fact, snoring causes many couples to sleep in separate rooms and often places strain on marriages and relationships. Recent evidence suggests that snoring may even cause thickening of the carotid arteries over time and potentially increase risk of stroke.

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Oral Appliances

For patients who have moderate sleep apnea, or are unable to use a C-PAP device, an oral appliance can be an effective treatment. The oral appliance is a molded device that is placed in the mouth at night to position the lower jaw and bring the tongue forward, elevating the soft palate while keeping the tongue from falling back in the airway and blocking breathing.

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Sleep Apnea Surgical Treatments

Inspire® therapy (Upper Airway Stimulation) is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive, implantable device that delivers mild stimulation to the nerves of the tongue muscles, thereby keeping the airway open during sleep.

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Tonsillectomy and Adenoids Post-Op

The tonsils are two clusters of tissue located on both sides of the back of the throat. Adenoids sit high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth. Tonsils and adenoids are often removed when they become enlarged and block the upper airway, leading to breathing difficulty. They are also removed when recurrence of tonsil infections or strep throat cannot be successfully treated by antibiotics. The surgery is most often performed on children.

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Our Team

Otolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons

Gregory A Grillone, MD

Otolaryngologist-in-Chief

Special Interests

Laryngology, minimally invasive surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract, sleep surgery, laser surgery, head and neck cancer surgery

Jacob P Noordzij, MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Adult and pediatric laryngology, care of the professional voice, airway disorders, thyroid and parathyroid disorders, head and neck cancer, swallowing disorders

Michael P Platt, MD, MSc

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Diseases of the nose, sinuses, and anterior skull base, endoscopic procedures

Avner Aliphas MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Head and neck surgery, ear surgery, adult and pediatric ear diseases, neck masses, tympanic membrane perforation, salivary gland tumors, larynx disorder, nasal disorders, and sinus disease.

Michael B Cohen, MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis, allergy, salivary gland disorders, snoring and sleep surgery, social determinants of health

Elizabeth M. Davis, MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Allergy, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Sinonasal disorders

Anand K Devaiah, MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Endoscopic minimally invasive skull base surgery, otologic/vestibular disorders, lateral skull base diseases and tumors, anterior skull base tumors/paranasal sinus diseases, head and neck surgery, head and neck cancer, and general otolaryngology.

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Heather A Edwards, MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Surgical treatment of cancers of the head and neck region, including minimally invasive surgical approaches and complex microvascular reconstruction after tumor excision

Dr. Heather Edwards Head and Neck Cancer within Otolaryngology

Waleed H Ezzat, MD

Head and Neck Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon

Special Interests

Facial aesthetic surgery, rhinoplasty, facelift, eyelid surgery, reconstructive surgery

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Daniel L Faden, MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Minimally invasive surgery, management of HPV related oropharynx cancer.

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Kenneth M Grundfast, MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Ear and hearing disorders in adults and children, management of chronic middle ear disease, evaluation and management of dizziness, vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, abnormal auditory perceptions.

Jessica R Levi, MD

Otolaryngologist, Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology

Special Interests

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

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Marianella Paz-Lansberg, MD

Attending Surgeon, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgeon, Division of Rhinology, Skull Base Surgery and Allergy

Special Interests

Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Endoscopic Surgery, Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, Endoscopic Orbital Surgery and Allergy

Jeffrey H Spiegel, MD

Plastic Surgeon, Chief of Facial Plastic Surgery

Special Interests

Gender confirming facial surgery, facial cosmetic and plastic surgery, rhinoplasty - nose job, facelift, blepharoplasty, botox, Juvederm and fillers

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Katherine Vandenberg, MD

Facial Plastic Surgeon

Special Interests

Facial plastic surgery, cosmetic rhinoplasty, functional rhinoplasty, facial cosmetic and aesthetic surgery

Lauren F Tracy, MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Hoarseness, voice disorders, professional voice care, dysplasia, vocal cord cancer, office-based laser laryngeal surgery, airway and swallowing disorders, diseases of the trachea and esophagus

Peter C Weber, MD

Otolaryngologist

Special Interests

Cochlear implants and other implantable hearing devices, hearing loss disorders, acoustic neuroma, cholestearoma, otoscelerosis, facial nerve disorders, chronic ear infections, tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, glomus and other shull base tumors.

Speech-Language Pathologists

Jessica M Pisegna, PhD, MS-CCC-SLP, MEd

Special Interests

Dysphagia (swallowing problems), Dysphonia (voice problems), Cognitive Deficits and Aphasia (language problems), Reflux-related disorders

Hadas Golan, MS, CCC-SLP

Special Interests

Professional voice, dysfunctional breathing, muscle tension dysphonia, irritable larynx and chronic cough

Amy Gottlieb, MS-CF-SLP

Special Interests

Dysphagia, dysphonia, and neurogenic disorders of language and cognition

Juliet Ochura, MS,CCC-SLP, CLC

Speech Language Pathologist

Special Interests

Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Picky Eating, Sensory-Based Feeding difficulties

Meredith B O'Dea, MS, CCC-SLP

Special Interests

Dysphagia (swallowing problems), Dysphonia (voice problems), Reflux-related disorders, Alaryngeal Rehabilitation included Tracheoesophageal (TEP) Voice Restoration/Management

Casey F Scott, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Special Interests

Dysphagia (swallowing problems), Dysphonia (voice problems), Reflux-related disorders

Kailey Vitale, MA, CCC-SLP

Special Interests

Dysphagia (swallowing problems), Alaryngeal rehabilitation including tracheoesophageal (TEP) voice restoration/management, Evaluation and treatment of swallowing problems after head and neck cancer

Samantha Ashinoff, MS, CCC-SLP

Kim Boscodoss, MS, CCC-SLP

Michelle Ganann, CCC-SLP

Anna Lifvergren, CCC-SLP

Keri Miloro, CCC-SLP

Juliet Ochura, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC

Jennifer Perez, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC

Audiologists

Alexa Kozak, Au.D.,CCC-A

Special Interests

Pediatric Through Geriatric Diagnostic Testing, Auditory Evoked Potentials, Newborn Diagnostic Testing, Vestibular Testing

Melissa Campbell, AuD, CCC-A

Special Interests

Pediatric through adult diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid evaluation and dispensing, and cochlear implants.
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Kristin A. Hartman-Joshi, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA

Special Interests

Pediatric and Adult audiologic evaluations, hearing aid evaluations and dispensing, bone-anchored hearing aids, newborn diagnostic evaluations, newborn hearing screenings

Lauren Morris, Au.D.,CCC-A

Special Interests

Pediatric and adult audiologic evaluations, hearing aid evaluation and dispensing, cochlear implants, vestibular evaluations, auditory evoked potentials, and newborn hearing screenings.

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Laura O'Brien ScD, CCC-A

Special Interests

Pediatric and Adult Audiologic Evaluations, Newborn Hearing Screenings and Diagnostic Testing, Auditory Evoked Potentials, Pediatric Diagnostic Testing.
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Ashley Radcliffe

Special Interests

Pediatric through adult diagnostic hearing evaluations, cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing devices, hearing aid evaluation and dispensing, and vestibular testing.

Nurses

Marsela Demo, RN

Sarah Frazier, BSN, RN

Susan Griever, NP

Lanisha Harrison, RN

Brandy Kenner Keefe, FNP

Jennifer Lauver, RN

Sarietha Mathieu, NP

Opal Mitchell, NP

Jessica Overlan, NP

Ann Poulsen, RN

 

Researchers and Instructors

Gintas Krisciunas, MPH, MA

 

Patient Resources

Additional Information

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Department of Otolaryngology News
Department of Otolaryngology Education

Otolaryngology Education

Many education and training opportunities exist for both existing medical professionals and medical students through the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Please visit the sections below to learn more.

Medical Students

Students who are considering or intend to pursue a career in Otolaryngology are strongly encouraged to apply for the four week elective clerkship during their fourth year. To apply for this elective, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine students should contact the Otolaryngology Education Coordinator, Janine Lipsky 617-638-7066 janine.lipsky@bmc.org and students from schools other than the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine should apply for the month long elective through the AAMC’s Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS®) (https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/vsas/).

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine 4th year students who wish to learn about Otolaryngology, but are not intending to pursue Otolaryngology as a career, can do a two week Surgical Subspecialty Otolaryngology elective clerkship during their fourth year General Surgery sub-i elective clerkship. A new innovative individualized curriculum is being developed to afford students coming to Otolaryngology for two weeks a customized learning experience that attempts to match their exposure to learning experiences with their intended career path. To sign up for the two week elective in Otolaryngology, contact Ms. Lana Ketlere at Lana.Ketlere@bmc.org.

FEES Course This Course is not currently being offered

The Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) was developed by Dr. Susan Langmore in 1988. Alongside the modified barium swallow (MBS) study, FEES has become a globally recognized gold standard for evaluating oropharyngeal dysphagia and for assessing swallowing function.

Read more and sign up

Department News

Research Overview

Cancer Clinical Trials

Please visit the external Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Cancer Clinical Trials website for information on current research studies in head and neck oncology.

Center for Innovative Technology and Clinical Outcomes Research

The Center for Innovative Technology & Clinical Outcomes Research is located on the 5th floor of the BCD Building.  The research in this center can be grouped into three major areas of work; 1) development and testing of novel imaging technology that enhances clinical care, 2) evaluating the efficacy of clinical interventions, and 3) designing, refining, and testing patient outcome measurement tools.  This center involves a multidisciplinary group of clinicians and researchers who specialize in areas such as head and neck cancer, laryngology, speech language pathology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pathology, bioengineering and biostatistics.  

Current projects include the following:

1.    ESS R01
2.    ARF R01
3.    Validation of BRACS
4.    3D endoscope development
5.    PAS scale assessment
6.    Variation in dysphagia care
7.    Qualitative Dysphagia Assessment w/ Renee
8.    Amitriptyline / CLH – assessing efficacy of this med (keep general)
 

Early diagnosis of oral cancer using spectroscopic techniques

Early detection of oral cancer is critical for successful treatment and improvement of the survival rate. However, current detection is usually done by visual screening and biopsies. It presents a major challenge for even experienced clinicians. 

Our findings from animal models and patient studies are very encouraging. Now, we are continuing to work on this study to develop new tri-modal spectroscope (a combination of three spectroscopic techniques) and scattering imaging techniques. We expect that our new study will further improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis. We will also explore the feasibility of using these new technologies for intraoperative guidance of tumor surgery and for prediction of the treatment efficacy with cancer chemoprevention.

New chemoprevention strategy for head and neck cancers

Oral cancer is one of the most common neoplasms, and it is estimated that close to 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year and it will cause will cause over 8,000 deaths. Its slow and cumulative process strongly supports the rationale for its prevention. Chemoprevention is a promising strategy, but its widespread use has been hampered by its significant toxic side effects. Anti-angiogenesis has been established as one of the cornerstones of chemoprevention.

Our previous studies have indicated the effectiveness of selective microvascular targeting with a 585 pulsed dye laser (PDL) for tumor inhibition with no damage to neighboring tissue. Importantly, PDL is capable of providing a synergic effect with some routine chemopreventive agents (i.e., retinoic acid) via its ability to selectively destroy existing microvasculature in targeted tissue. In our preliminary studies, a combination of PDL and chemoprevention called laser “photo-chemoprevention,” enabled us to significantly reduce the dose of the chemical agent without sacrificing its efficacy for inhibition of tumor growth. We also are testing a new approach for cancer chemoprevention with less systemic toxicity by topically delivering the agent with polymer “biofilm.” Our long-term goal is to develop new and effective treatment with fewer side effects for chemoprevention or early treatment of cancers.

Novel and less invasive approach for head neck surgery

Our group has been working on testing new laser or other techniques for more than 10 years to develop less invasive surgery or selective targeting therapy for head and neck diseases. Currently, our studies include (1) laser photothermolysis of vocal cord scarring. We are using an antibody-targeted laser photolysis to avoid or reduce hypertrophic scar growth in vocal cords. This method will allow us to apply highly-selective targeting while sparing neighboring tissue from collateral damage with diode laser surgery; and (2) less invasive laser surgery for laryngeal papilloma and vascular lesions. We will use a pulsed dye laser to selectively destroy the lesions while preserving the voice function.

Center for Voice and Swallowing Research

The Center for Voice and Swallowing Research is located on the 5th Floor of the BCD Building 800 Harrison Avenue, with a clinic in the 1st Floor of 830 Harrison Avenue at Boston Medical Center. For more information on this research, please visit the Center for Voice and Swallowing website.

Residency and Fellowship Information

We are extraordinarily proud of our residency program and we would be delighted to hear from you if you have any questions or we can provide for you additional information about our program so don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Learn more about our Residency Program

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