Comprehensive Airway Evaluations
Our program is equipped to provide comprehensive airway evaluations of complex airway issues associated with prematurity, genetic syndromes, congenital birth defects, vascular tumors, and acquired upper airway, vocal cord and other tracheal-airway programs. From the nose all the way down the main bronchial trees, we conduct a full schedule of bedside evaluations of the voice box (flexible laryngoscopy) as well as a more detailed planned microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy in the operating room to thoroughly evaluate the airway under sedation.
We also perform one-of-a-kind, ultra-low-dose CT angiogram with 3-D reconstruction to evaluate the entire airway and adjacent vascular structures when necessary. This technology has proven to be invaluable in diagnosing vascular rings and defining head and neck tumor complexity and overall airway anomalies that are otherwise difficult to appreciate by conventional imaging.
Evaluation consists of:
- Ultra-low-dose CT angiogram with 3-D reconstruction
- Flexible laryngoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Microlaryngoscopy
- Bronchoscopy
- Swallow studies
- Upper GI studies
Personalized treatment
Based on evaluation, our team formulates a multidisciplinary treatment plan, working closely with referring physicians and families to determine which therapies are appropriate for each child.
If an infant needs surgery, he/she will benefit from some of the most experienced airway surgeons in the United States, performing the latest techniques and airway reconstruction procedures. These include:
- Nasal surgery
- Microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy
- Tracheostomy
- Endoscopic balloon dilation
- Endoscopic airway repair
- Laryngotracheal reconstruction
- Cricotracheal resection
Continuity of care
Depending upon treatment, our program provides extensive follow-up of each patient in our Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders, including home technology, ventilation and tracheostomy care.
Our multidisciplinary Airway Clinic — made up of a pediatric otolaryngologist, nurse practitioners and a physician assistant, as well as subspecialists including speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists and a social worker — sees patients with airway disorders once weekly.