Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT; Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery)

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center has long been regarded as one of our nation's leading institutions in the care of the complicated patient. This tradition has continued in the field of cranial base surgery. Technological and surgical advances has made treatment of cranial base tumors a reality.

Multidisciplinary Approach

The foundation of successful treatment of the patient with a cranial base tumor is a multidisciplinary approach to their complex problems. The Consortium on Cranial Base Surgery is composed of neurosurgeons, neurotologists, head and neck surgeons, neurophysiologists, neuroanesthesiologists, neuroradiologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, and maxillofacial surgeons. Each of these subspecialsists bring their own specific expertise in the care of the patient with a cranial base lesion.

Cranial Base Tumors

Cranial base tumors arise in or impinge upon the bony cranium. They may arise:

• Beneath the cranial base and ascend to it, as in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, paranasal sinus tumors, or esthesioneuroblastomas
• Within the bones of the cranial base, as in acoustic neuromas, pituitary tumors, glomus tumors, or temporal bone petrous apex cholesterol granulomas. [Learn more about treatment of acoustic neuromas.]
• Above the cranial base and extend interiorly to involve the cranial base through bony erosion, as in meningiomas, chordomas or sarcomas.

The Consortium on Cranial Base Surgery utilizes sophisticated Intraoperative Neural Monitoring to maximize postoperative cranial nerve function. Simultaneous four channel cranial nerve monitoring is individually adapted to each specific surgery. Capabilities include motor nerve monitoring through electromyography, and sensory monitoring by auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABR) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP). A physician neurophysiologist is in the operating room during surgery, and plays an integral role in intraoperative patient care.

200-Year Tradition of Excellence

Although the field of cranial base surgery has only recently evolved, our medical center boasts a 200-year tradition of excellence in patient care, education and leadership in medicine. Be assured that patients will continue to benefit from the excellence of this institution.

Our allergy staff provides state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment for airborne and food allergies, under the direction of Dr. William Reisacher, a board-certified and fellowship-trained general otolaryngologist and otolaryngic allergist, and Melissa Mathurin, LPN, a Clinical Research Nurse Specialist.

We offer non-invasive, needle-free allergy screening for adults and children. A full range of advanced skin testing services are available along with blood testing when skin testing is not possible or appropriate.

For the treatment of airborne and food allergies, we offer professional counseling for environmental control strategies along with medications and dietary modifications when necessary. We offer traditional allergy injections administered in the office. As an alternative to injections we also offer Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) in which drops are placed under the tongue on a daily basis from the comfort of your home and we offer Oral Mucosal Immunotherapy (OMIT) in which a specialized toothpaste is used.

Most insurance plans are accepted. To make an appointment, please call (646) 962-2093.

About Allergy Screening

Allergy screening can generally be completed within 15 minutes. It is important to refrain from using medications containing antihistamines one week prior to testing if possible. These include over-the-counter cold remedies and over-the-counter allergy medicine, including allergy eye drops. If this is not possible, blood testing can still be performed. Nasal steroid sprays do not have to be stopped prior to testing. In general, airborne and food allergies are tested on separate days.

Helpful Links and Resources

View Dr. Reisacher's helpful information sheets linked below.
Patient Information Form

View Dr. Levinger’s helpful information sheets linked below.
Patient Information Form

Immunotherapy Information Sheet
Allergy Avoidance Strategies
Allergy Treatment Comparisons 

For more information on Otolaryngic Allergy, please visit the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy web site at www.aaoaf.org

Under the direction of Joseph Montano, EdD, the Weill Cornell Medical College Hearing and Speech Center in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, is designed to provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and rehabilitative services for disorders of hearing, speech, language, voice and swallowing. The professional staff consists of licensed and ASHA-certified audiologists and speech language pathologists that hold a minimum of a Master's degree.

Diagnostic services include:

• Complete assessment of auditory function
• Hearing measurement
• Central auditory processing evaluations
• Vestibular evaluations and electrophysiological testing, including auditory brainstem response testing (ABR) and otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE)

Our Audiologic Rehabilitation programs allows individuals with hearing loss direct access to the most current technology including digital hearing aids, implantable devices, assistive listening devices and personal amplification systems. Rehabilitative services include speechreading, auditory training, tinnitus management and hearing aid orientation.

Audiology Services

Adult Services

• Hearing testing
• Hearing aids
• Hearing assistive technology dystems (HATS)
• Cochlear Implants
• Osseointegrated bone conduction devices
• Hearing protection (including swim plugs and music monitors
• Electrocochleography (EcoG) testing
• Electronystagmography (ENG) and Videonystagmography (VNG) testing (Balance Testing)
• Tinnitus Evaluation
• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) 

Pediatric Services

• Hearing Testing
• Otoacoustic emission testing
• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing
• Hearing Aids
• Cochlear Implants

About Your Visit

If you are scheduled to see one of our audiologists as a new patient, please print and complete the Patient Packet (adult) (child) and bring it with you on the day of your appointment. Thank you.

For further information, please call the Center directly at (646) 962-2231.

Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Otolaryngology Audiology Program Flyer

An otolaryngologist is a physician who specializes in disorders of the head and neck, especially those related to the ear, nose, and throat. Otolaryngologists perform medical diagnosis and treatment, as well as surgery of the head and neck, including endoscopic surgery. Weill Cornell general otolaryngologists treat:

• Infections involving the ears, nose, throat, sinuses and skin of the head and neck.
• Congenital, inflammatory, and other problems, such as hearing loss, dizziness, changes in taste, smell, or swallowing, and voice problems. Sinus disease with medical and surgical treatment including endoscopic sinus surgery.
• Snoring and sleep disorders with conventional and laser surgery.
• Trauma and injuries to head and neck structures.
• Surgery to correct breathing problems of the nose, larynx (voice box) or trachea (wind pipe).

Dr. Joshua Levinger is now seeing patients in Lower Manhattan 9-5 Mondays & Wednesdays!

At Weill Cornell, otolaryngologists have access to the latest technologies to treat the full range of diseases of the ear. Our physicians have pioneered new and better treatments for a variety of conditions, including

• Otosclerosis and Stapes Surgery. This condition results from abnormal bone deposition near one of the tiny bones in the middle ear, the stapes. The deposits prevent the stapes from transmitting vibrations to the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss. [Learn More].
• Cholesteatoma. An epithelial cyst that is formed from skin tissue and cells, cholesteatomas can cause bone erosion, hearing loss, vertigo, and – in some cases – can affect the facial nerve causing weakness of the facial muscles or even paralysis. [Learn more]
• Perforations of the tympanic membrane (eardrum). The tympanic membrane – the delicate sheet of tissue that separates the external ear from the middle ear, can become damage due to trauma or chronic infection. Untreated, this condition leaves the delicate middle ear vulnerable to infection, and can produce hearing loss. We have developed new procedures in tympanoplasty to repair tympanic membrane perforation. [Learn more]
• Medical and Surgical Management of Acute and Chronic Ear Infections. Ear infections may lead to acute problems such as an abscess behind the ear or mastoiditis that require surgical drainage. Repeated ear infections may lead to cholesteatoma, or to chronic middle ear and mastoid infections. Chronic infections often require microsurgical management.

While a patient with facial weakness or paralysis might immediately consider neurological disorders, dysfunction of the facial nerve may be directly linked to an otolaryngologic disorder. The facial nerve, in its normal course, directly traverses the middle ear and mastoid, and so infections, inflammatory processes or tumors of this region may lead to facial weakness, paralysis or spasm. Further, once the facial nerve leaves the skull en route to the muscles of facial expression, the nerve enters the core of the parotid salivary gland. Again infections, inflammatory processes or tumors of this gland may lead to facial dysfunction. Patients with any form of facial nerve abnormality should be evaluated by a well trained otolaryngologist to be sure that important non-neurologic disease is not overlooked and to be sure that their facial dysfunction is treated as effectively as possible.

Weill Cornell Medicine's Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery provides high-quality care in the full spectrum of plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery of the head and neck. Our academically based program provides treatment for conditions and deformities related to trauma, cancer, and a wide range of elective cosmetic procedures. Our clinical expertise includes:

Cosmetic Services:

• Aesthetic rhinoplasty
• Minimally invasive procedures such as Botulinum toxin and a variety of injectable fillers
• Facial contouring- liposuction and fat transfer
• Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
• Brow lift- including endoscopic, minimal incision techniques
• Facelift and neck lift
• Earlobe repair and surgery to correct protuberant ears (otoplasty)
• Laser treatment of facial spider veins and laser facial rejuvenation
• Dermabrasion and peels

Reconstructive Services:

• Cleft lip and Palate surgery, cleft rhinoplasty and pediatric head and neck reconstructive procedures.
• Functional rhinoplasty (nasal surgery to correct breathing)
• Treatment of fractures of the facial bones and traumatic lacerations
• Revision of unfavorable scars
• Reconstruction after removal of skin cancers or other cutaneous lesions
• Removal of benign cutaneous lesions
• Rehabilitation and reconstructive procedures to treat facial paralysis
• Microtia repair

Our specialties include a congenital and craniofacial pediatric surgery program that is a leader in the care for children with complex facial deformities, helping to transform the lives of young patients struggling with these disfigurements. Members of our surgical team regularly organize and participate in non-profit missions to other countries, including Peru, Colombia, Honduras, Ecuador, and China to treat children with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other craniofacial conditions.

As part of our commitment to providing patient-focused care, we encourage our patients to actively participate in their treatment plan. Before proceeding with elective surgeries, we provide extensive information about the procedure, including any potential risks and complications, as well as realistic expectations of results. The majority of procedures are performed on an ambulatory basis. In state-of-the-art surgical suites, our surgeons use the latest regional anesthetics and medications that allow our patients to recover more quickly and heal faster.

We are committed to ensuring that our patients are well-informed about the procedures available and have the opportunity to discuss their questions in confidence with any member of our team. The work of our division plays a very important role in patients' lives, helping with issues of self-esteem and confidence. Our ultimate goal is to help you look and feel your best.

At Weill Cornell, we have faculty physicians expert in the diagnosis and management of diseases of the head and neck. If you have a benign or malignant tumor of the head and neck, then our physicians will direct your evaluation and management, including performing surgery if needed. To help determine the optimal treatment, our faculty members direct regularly scheduled multi-disciplinary patient management conferences with colleagues from radiation oncology and medical oncology. Our physicians have expertise in disorders of the following areas:

• salivary glands
• sinuses
• lips, mouth, and tongue
• pharynx and larynx (throat and voice box)
• thyroid and parathyroid
• skin of the head and neck

Weill Cornell Medicine physicians are committed to providing the highest-quality nose and sinus disease patient care, offering solutions tailored to each individual patient and utilizing the latest technological advancements. Our faculty members are leaders in the field, pushing forward both non-surgical and surgical advancements for treatment of sinus conditions including:

• Acute sinusitis.
• Chronic sinusitis.
• Endoscopic closure of CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF) leaks.
• Management of sinus tumors.
• Orbital decompression for Graves’ disease.
• Pituitary tumors, using minimally invasive approaches.

We also provide diagnosis for:

• Deviated nasal septums.
• Allergic rhinitis.
• Environmental allergies.
• Nasal polyps.
• Epistaxis (nasal bleeding).

Our physicians will direct your comprehensive evaluation and care, including all of the following:

• Endoscopic examination.
• Radiologic evaluation.
• Endoscopic nose and sinus surgery.
• Inclusive treatment, including medications and topical therapy.
• In-office procedures including balloon sinuplasty and inferior turbinate reduction.
• Complimentary referral to allergists and acupuncturists for complete care.

Our surgeons operate at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, consistently among the top-rated hospitals in New York City as well as the U.S. The latest surgical tools, including intraoperative image guidance, are utilized in the treatment of our patients.

The subspecialty of pediatric otolaryngology focuses on diseases of the ear, nose and throat in infants and children. Pediatric otolaryngology at Weill Cornell Medical College includes a group of fellowship-trained subspecialists, who have acquired additional skills necessary to provide specialized cutting edge care to infants and children with common and complex disorders in the head and neck region.

These problems include:

• Airway and Breathing disorders
• Ear Diseases (ear infections, hearing loss)
• Pediatric Nose and Sinus Problems
• Tonsil and Adenoid Disease
• Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)
• Speech and Language Disorders
• Pediatric Head & Neck Tumors
• Craniofacial Anomalies including cleft lip, cleft palate, and VPI

Please note that our offices are open from Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Please call the office to find out when your physician will be seeing patients, as not all of our physicians are in the office during these days & times. Thank you.

While snoring is often thought to be a non-medical problem, it can have a significant negative effect on marriage and relationships, so evaluation and consideration for treatment should be considered. In addition, snoring is potentially a symptom of a serious sleep disorder known as sleep apnea.

Causes

The incidence of snoring and sleep apnea in the general population varies. These conditions are more common in older men, and may be caused or worsened by obesity and alcohol ingestion. The anatomic source of snoring can usually be identified in-office by our otolaryngologists, with a local anesthesia examination involving a small, flexible fiber-optic endoscope.

Tests

The sound of snoring is usually caused by flapping or vibration of the uvula – the extension of tissue hanging from the middle of the soft palate in the back of the mouth. This vibration is caused by collapse of the soft tissues in the throat (pharynx), with intermittent opening of the tissues to allow inhalation. Through electrocardiograms and objective measurements of airflow, muscular movement and oxygen saturation, Weill Cornell Medicine sleep specialists are able to characterize the severity of symptoms that can lead to potentially deadly conditions including Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Our specialists document episodes of obstruction as well as associated adverse consequences of obstruction, including de-oxygenation, poor ventilation and or abnormal heart rhythms.

Treatment

Treatments for snoring depend on the severity of the disorder and whether sleep apnea is also present. Simple lifestyle modifications, including weight loss, avoiding alcoholic beverages, and not sleeping on the back, may be very effective. Oral appliances worn at night have also been shown to be effective for a substantial amount of patients. Other options include surgical modifications of the palate and pharynx, including Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) – a removal, in stages, of excess vibrating throat tissue, performed in-office under local anesthesia. Although frequently accompanied by mild post-operative pain, LAUP treatments enjoy a high success rate. If necessary, other surgical options should be discussed with your otolaryngologist.

The Weill Cornell Medical College Hearing and Speech Center in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, under the direction of Joseph Montano, Ed.D., is designed to provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and rehabilitative services for disorders of hearing, speech, language, voice and swallowing. The professional staff consists of seventeen licensed and ASHA-certified audiologists and speech language pathologists that hold a minimum of a Master's degree.

Speech-Language Pathology services include complete treatment and assessment of speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders. A special emphasis is on the treatment of professional voice as well as the evaluation and management of oral and pharyngeal phase dysphagia, specifically with the use of endoscopy. The Clinical Voice Laboratory has been equipped with the most technologically advanced instrumentation to provide dynamic acoustic measurement of the voice. Clinicians in the Hearing and Speech Center have long been recognized for the quality of their skills. In addition to expertise in voice and swallowing, the Center provides programs for the treatment of speech and language disorders in adults, voice rehabilitation following laryngectomy, resonance disorders, swallow therapy and accent reduction.

About Your Visit

For further information, please call the Center directly at (646) 962-2231.

Our speech pathologists participate with a wide variety of insurance plans. For billing questions, please call Crystal Moreno at (212) 746-2237.

If you are scheduled to see one of our speech pathologists as a new patient, please print and complete the specific clinician's Patient Packet and bring it with you on the day of your appointment. Thank you.

• New Patient Packet for Gayle Morris (adult)
• New Patient Packet for Gayle Morris (pediatric)
• New Patient Packet for Yvonne Knapp (adult)
• New Patient Packet for Yvonne Knapp (pediatric)
• New Patient Packet for Anne Weisenberg
• New Patient Pacher for Christine Estes (adult)
• New Patient Packet for Christine Estes (pediatric)

The Sean Parker Institute for the Voice is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of all disorders involving voice, swallowing, and the upper airways, including disorders of the performer and professional voice user.

Using state-of-the-art technology, a multidisciplinary team consisting of a laryngologist (an otolaryngologist with specialty training in laryngology), a voice scientist, and a speech/language pathologist can consider cases to arrive at an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan, which may include therapy, medication, and/or surgical intervention.

Our board-certified surgeons are skilled in diagnostic and surgical procedures for voice disorders, such as:

• Stroboscopy and other forms of laryngoscopy for the diagnosis of voice disorders
• Office procedures without the need for general anesthesia, including vocal fold injection, biopsy and lesion excision and laser ablation of vocal fold lesions.
• Microlaryngoscopy and phonomicrosurgery, used to remove vocal fold nodules, polyps, cysts and other lesions that affect the voice
• Laryngeal framework surgery, performed to treat a voice and/or swallowing problem that is secondary to vocal fold paralysis or other laryngeal trauma
• Botulinum toxin injections for neurologic disorders of the vocal folds.
• Procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal cancer, which range from endoscopic procedures to major ablative procedures with tissue reconstruction.

Speech language pathologists with expertise in speech, voice and swallowing disorders in disorders of the performing voice, and in voice rehabilitation after larynx cancer surgery are available for therapy.