Intranasal Cryoablation: A Breakthrough for Postnasal Drip and Chronic Rhinitis
When Douglas Stanley, MD, first examined Cheryel Olin, she complained of continuous postnasal drip. She had been diagnosed with nearly continuous sinus infections, and received one round of antibiotics and steroids after another—without benefit. “For a year my voice sounded…
UTHealth Otorhinolaryngology and Gastroenterology Collaborate to Open an Esophagus Closed by Cancer
In a surgical procedure performed at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, otorhinolaryngologist Ron Karni, MD, and gastroenterologist Nirav Thosani, MD, opened a complete esophageal stenosis for patient Bennie Richardson. The two physicians are known for their skill and for helping patients…
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Confirmation of a Rare Diagnosis
The rare autoimmune disorder called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis, may develop suddenly or emerge over a period of months. In the case of 55-year-old Mark Phillips, the condition came on as symptoms of sudden, recurrent…
After Long-term Dialysis and a Kidney Transplant, Kayla Williams Gets Her Life Back
Following renal failure and four years of dialysis, 26-year-old Kayla Williams, LVN, of Caldwell, Texas, developed secondary hyperparathyroidism with severe bone pain. She is the beneficiary of closely coordinated interdisciplinary care delivered by physicians affiliated with the Kidney and Kidney/Pancreas…
Esther’s Heroes: A Story of Hope and Cancer Survivorship
After chemotherapy and radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal cancer, Esther Urdiales had an unusually complicated recovery of her ability to swallow. “Esther’s story is one of victory through our collaboration with TIRR Memorial Hermann’s Speech Therapy Program,” says Ron Karni, MD,…
When in Doubt, Seek Answers
“Our minds can be our worst enemy,” said Raquel Butanda. “I have been thinking about this all week.” Surrounded by family, Butanda was one of nearly 130 people who checked in for the no-cost screenings offered by UT Physicians for…
MicroSeismic, UT Physicians Make Sound Investment In Children With Hearing Loss
William Gonzalez, a junior at Aldine High School, will no longer have to strain to hear his teachers thanks to a new set of hearing aids donated by the MicroSeismic oilfield services company as part of a partnership with UT…
Bilateral Cochlear Implants for Rodriguez Twins
Identical twins Sergio and Jorge Rodriguez like the same things – playing soccer, baseball and riding their bikes. They were born on Nov. 13, 2013, with the same type of hearing loss. Thanks to the surgical skill of Zi Yang…
Minimally Invasive Surgery Provides Quick Relief of Sinusitis Caused by a Dental Infection
An accurate diagnosis and effective treatment dramatically improved the life of 75-year-old Ed Dickerson, whose off-and-on history of nasal congestion goes back to his childhood. When Dickerson moved to Houston in 1990, his congestion became worse, but eventually he was…
Four-Handed Surgery: Robotic Excision of Benign Tumor of the Soft Palate and Reconstruction
When Kathleen Sibirtzeff went for her periodic dental checkup in April 2018, her dentist discovered what turned out to be a benign tumor of the soft palate. “I could see it and it felt a little pillowy on the upper…