Research – Rhinology and Anterior Skull Base Surgery

Rhinology and Anterior Skull Base Surgery

Chronic rhinosinusitis is an inflammatory disorder of the paranasal sinuses and the lining of the nasal passages, affecting about 10% of the US population. Treatment of chronic sinusitis, as well as tumors of the nasal cavity and sinuses, involve complex surgeries close to both the brain and the eye. The surgeries require cutting edge endoscopic technology as well as novel technologies, such as new surgical dressings, to improve outcomes.

With a number of both clinical and scientific research studies currently underway, the physicians in the Caruso Department are working towards making the surgeries safer and ensuring that new technologies are efficient and cost effective. Along with the Neurosurgery Department, the Division has pioneered and researched a model to train surgeons for intra-operative complications. This type of simulation technology has been proven to increase physician response times and surgical skills during rare emergencies. The Division has also researched the effectiveness of new technology, such as balloon catheter dilation, and the way the utilization of new technology affects the health system. The Division is also actively engaged in studies to better monitor the quality of life outcomes of both medical and surgical interventions, especially for some of the most vulnerable patient populations such as the homeless and children with cystic fibrosis.

Faculty Researcher:
Kevin Hur, MD