Otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery encompass the study and treatment of patients with diseases affecting the temporal bone including the middle and inner ears, facial nerve, great vessels, and the posterior and middle intracranial fossa. Many of my patients have acoustic neuromas or other skull base tumors. These are usually benign intracranial tumors arising from the temporal bone or nearby regions. Despite early impingement on critical neural structures, these tumors can be difficult to diagnose. Insidious growth can lead to late presentation of patients with large tumors that require complex skull base surgery for their removal.

Presently, several clinical and basic science research projects studying acoustic neuromas and other skull base tumors, as well as otologic pathologies including cholesteatoma and otosclerosis are in progress. In addition, I am currently collaborating with Dr. Michael Kaplitt in the field of gene therapy of the inner ear.