Department of Otolaryngology

Pediatric Otolaryngology

The Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology offers nationally and internationally recognized expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of a variety of diseases and developmental abnormalities that affect children of all ages.

In the area of hearing impairment, the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, in conjunction with the Molecular Otolaryngology Research Laboratories at the University of Iowa, offers diagnostic services, as well as treatment and long-term care, for many forms of hereditary hearing impairment. The same types of services are provided for the many types of acquired hearing impairment.

In the area of congenital or late-onset airway abnormalities, expertise is provided in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of problems unique to children, including laryngomalacia, subglottic hemangiomas, subglottic stenosis, vocal fold paralysis, laryngeal webs, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, and laryngeal cysts. Surgical procedures used to treat some of these conditions were originally developed at the University of Iowa. Head and neck tumors in children are unusual, and the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology offers a number of "cutting-edge" treatment options. Included within this category are the treatment of hemangiomas with Interferon, the treatment of lymphangiomas with sclerosing agents, and the treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with CO2 laser vaporization, Indole-3-carbinol, and Acyclovir. Expertise also is offered in the treatment of rare pediatric tumors, including both benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck.

In the area of rhinitis and sinusitis, a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic options are offered. Simple cases of sinusitis may require only appropriate medical therapy to cure the infection; in other instances, thorough immunological and gastroesophageal reflux work-ups are required in conjunction with functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology specializes in endoscopic sinus surgery in children and has offered courses on this subject for many years.

In addition to treating difficult and unusual otolaryngology problems in children, the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology offers outstanding care for common pediatric problems like recurrent otitis media and chronic tonsillitis.

Richard J.H. Smith, MD, Director
Nancy M. Bauman, MD