Laryngology/Voice Disorders

The Laryngology Division of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary has been established as a center of excellence to evaluate and treat the spectrum of diseases and disorders that affect the larynx (voice box). The division further enhances Harvard University's position as the one of the first medical schools in the United States to teach Laryngology. The division's mission is to provide expert clinical patient care as well as leadership in education and research.

The larynx is the critical organ for human voice production and is vital for normal swallowing and breathing. In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in knowledge regarding vocal function, which has led to significant advances in the methods used to treat laryngeal disorders, including the development of highly specialized surgical instrumentation and techniques. Members of the Laryngology Division work closely with the Voice and Speech Laboratory as well as other medical departments at the MGH (i.e., Neurology, General Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Dermatology, Pulmonology, Obstetrics & Gynecology) in collaborative teams to provide patients with comprehensive state-of-the-art treatment for the full spectrum of laryngeal problems. Cutting edge strategies in phonosurgery and phonomedicine have been designed to care for the needs of performing vocal artists (all types of singers, actors, and radio personnel) and other voice professionals (teachers, consultants, clergy, lawyers, politicians).

Disorders of the Larynx

Disorders of the Larynx will typically lead to hoarseness, dysphonia, and/or breathing difficulties (stridor) and can be caused by a variety of benign or malignant lesions as well as by neuorological disorders (i.e., vocal fold paralysis), medical illnesses, and trauma (i.e., endotracheal intubation).

Benign lesions: polyps, nodules, cysts, varices, papilloma, dysplasia, granulomas, sulcus, Reinke's Edema
Paralysis or Paresis of one or both vocal folds
Other Neurological Disorders such as spasmodic dysphonia and Parkinson's disease
Trauma: webs, vocal fold fixation, airway narrowing: stenosis

Education and Training

Medical Student: Harvard as well as other visiting US and international students
Residency: Full spectrum of experience in all aspects of Laryngology
Fellowship: Post-residency program for those seeking a dedicated career in Laryngology
National and International Professional Societies: ALA, ABEA, AHNS, AAOHNS, Voice Fdn.
Otolaryngologists: CME courses at annual ORL meeting and sponsored by HMS
Voice Science: Massachusetts Institute of Technology HST program
Speech Language Pathology: MGH Institute for Health Professionals, Boston University
Vocal Arts: Berklee College of Music, New England and Boston Conservatories, Boston University

Research

The Laryngology Division provides the organization and infrastructure for clinical protocols that rely on the coordinated efforts of multiple clinicians. The division has ongoing multidisciplinary research efforts with other departments and/or facilities at MGH, MIT, Draper Laboratory, and Boston VAMC.

Endoscopic microsurgery: for benign and malignant disease of the supraglottis and glottis
Phonomicrosurgery
Lipoinjection
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Monitoring
Vocal Fold Paralysis: Laryngoplastic Phonosurgery
- Medialization laryngoplasty: thyroplasty, Adduction arytenopexy, Cricothyroid subluxation
Chronic Aspiration
Alaryngeal Speech
Novel uses of Botox (botulinum toxin)