Rhinology
Summary
The Division of Rhinology is proud to provide high level surgical management of complex sinus and anterior skull base pathology. A partnership between Rhinology, Neurotology, and Neurosurgery is underway to establish the first Indiana University Health Skull Base Center of Excellence. Our second annual virtual conference on Skull Base Surgery is scheduled for November 2023, featuring contemporary management of a diverse set of skull base diseases.
Clinical Mission
The clinical mission has expanded with the addition of Satyan Sreenath, MD, and Vijay Ramakrishnan, MD, with Rhinology coverage at the Roudeboush Veteran’s Affairs Hospital, Methodist Medical Plaza South, and IU West in addition to IU North and Methodist clinical and operative locations. Our partnership with the growing skull base team at Methodist Hospital continues to thrive and serve over 100 endoscopic pituitary and skull base patients per year. The Rhinology division also serves the pediatric community for complex skull base issues.
Research Mission
The research efforts of the Rhinology Division continued in 2023, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and contributions to domestic and international textbooks. All faculty physicians are active members of the American Rhinologic Society and routinely serve on committees and panels at the national level throughout the year and at international meetings. The dedicated efforts of faculty members and the department research coordinator have facilitated ongoing interdisciplinary basic science work on nasal polyposis and immunoglobulin levels, its mechanisms and the impact on the upper and lower airways. Ramakrishnan is a principal investigator in clinical trials including biologic and topical therapies for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. In partnership with other national academic centers, Ramakrishnan is also working on better understanding olfaction and changes at the epithelial level. Sreenath and Elisa Illing, MD, are collaborating on wound healing in skull base surgery and therapies for Eustachian tube dysfunction in allergic rhinosinusitis patients, respectively.
Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery Fellowship
The Division of Rhinology recently launched its first Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery Fellowship. This one-year experience focuses on developing skills in assessment, treatment strategies and surgical techniques used in the management of complex rhinologic and neuro-rhinologic conditions. The fellowship will provide an experience that will prepare the trainee to enter into a career in academic rhinology.
Outside of clinical duties, a strong emphasis will be placed on the fellow’s role as a future educator, through interactions with otolaryngology residents and medical students. The fellow is involved in all advanced rhinology and neuro-rhinology cases and has the opportunity to participate in all endoscopic and open approaches to anterior skull base malignancy. The fellow also participates in functional rhinoplasty, including nasal valve repair and open rhinoplasty approaches, and spends time in the clinic with allergy/immunology partners.