Past Grand Rounds

All CME credit must be claimed by 11 PM central on the day during which the CME content was first presented.

Air Pollution Exposure and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Current Links and Future Directions Naweed Chowdhury, MD - Vanderbilt University Medical Center Thursday, April 24, 2025 Video In this UTHealth Houston Otorhinolaryngology Grand Rounds, Naweed Chowdhury, MD, from Vanderbilt University, discusses the impact of air pollution, specifically PM 2.5, on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Dr. Chowdhury presents epidemiologic evidence linking PM 2.5 exposure to increased incidence and severity of CRS, supported by studies from Johns Hopkins and China. He shares findings from his own research, demonstrating significant associations between PM 2.5 exposure and elevated inflammatory cytokines, tissue eosinophils, and gene expression changes in CRS patients. Experimental evidence from mouse models and air-liquid interface cultures further highlights the inflammatory responses induced by PM 2.5. Dr. Chowdhury also explores treatment outcomes, suggesting potential steroid non-responsiveness in PM 2.5-associated CRS and discusses future research directions, including the role of the NRF 2 pathway and potential therapeutic targets.

Artificial Intelligence in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Matthew Lee, MD - Cedars Sinai Thursday, April 10, 2025 Video In this UTHealth Houston ORL Grand Rounds, Dr. Matthew Lee discusses the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in facial plastic surgery. He explores AI's history, key milestones, and practical applications, such as enhancing patient education materials, automating responses to common patient questions, and using ambient AI scribes to reduce physician burnout. Dr. Lee highlights the use of computer vision models for rhinoplasty simulations and postoperative assessments, demonstrating AI's potential to improve surgical outcomes and patient care. The session underscores the importance of human-AI collaboration, leveraging AI to inform decisions while maintaining the human element in patient interactions.

Preservation Rhinoplasty Rakan Saadoun, MD - UTHealth Houston Otorhinolaryngology Thursday, March 27, 2025 Video In this UTHealth Houston ORL Grand Rounds, Dr. Rakan Saadoun discusses the technique and philosophy of preservation rhinoplasty. He explains the historical context, patient selection criteria, and the surgical techniques involved, including septal work, pyramid work, and skin soft tissue envelope dissection. Dr. Saadoun emphasizes the importance of preserving nasal ligaments and the integrity of the middle vault. He reviews the main techniques, such as the push down and let down methods, and highlights the complications and evidence supporting preservation rhinoplasty. The presentation includes detailed illustrations, cadaveric dissections, and video demonstrations to enhance understanding. Dr. Saadoun also addresses the challenges and benefits of using piezo technology for precise osteotomies. The session concludes with a discussion on the implications of preservation rhinoplasty and the need for further research to establish long-term outcomes.

Thyroid Surgical Innovation: A Historical Perspective and Current Emerging Technologies Ugur Nur Basmaci, MD - UTHealth Houston Otorhinolaryngology Thursday, March 13, 2025 Video In this UTHealth Houston ORL Grand Rounds, Ugur Nur Basmaci, MD presents an insightful lecture on "Thyroid Surgical Innovations." Dr. Basmaci delves into the history of thyroid surgery, highlighting the remarkable advancements from the 19th century to modern-day practices. The presentation covers various innovative techniques, including remote access approaches like the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) and thyroid ablation methods such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Dr. Basmaci also discusses the latest developments in parathyroid surgery, including parathyroid autofluorescence and intraoperative PTH monitoring. This comprehensive talk provides valuable knowledge on cutting-edge technologies and their applications in thyroid and parathyroid surgeries.

Transnasal Approach to Orbital Tumors Brian Cameron, MD - UTHealth Houston Otorhinolaryngology Thursday, February 27, 2025 Video In this UTHealth Houston ORL Grand Rounds, Brian Cameron, MD, presents an in-depth discussion on endoscopic approaches to orbital tumors. He outlines the evolution of endoscopic sinus surgery and its parallels to orbital surgery, emphasizing the importance of anatomical knowledge and surgical techniques.  Dr. Cameron details the classification systems for orbital tumors, including the ORBIT system, and discusses the surgical steps, including the use of a nasal septal flap for reconstruction. He highlights the benefits and challenges of endoscopic versus external approaches, supported by case studies and outcomes.   This comprehensive talk provides valuable insights into the advancements and practical applications of endoscopic orbital surgery.

Vestibular Schwannoma Management: Past, Present, and Future Nedim Durakovic, MD - Washington University Thursday, February 13, 2025 Video In this UTHealth Houston Otorhinolaryngology Grand Rounds, Dr. Nedim Durakovic from Washington University delivers an engaging talk on the history, epidemiology, and management of vestibular schwannomas. The presentation highlights the evolution of treatment techniques and the importance of patient-centric approaches. Key takeaways include advancements in surgical techniques, the role of MRI in early detection, and the impact of patient-reported outcomes on treatment decisions. Dr. Durakovic also shares valuable insights from his ongoing research on dizziness and balance in patients with vestibular schwannomas.

When the Chance to Cut does not Cure: An Otorhinolaryngologist's Guide to Palliative Care Dylan Vance, MD - UTHealth Houston Otorhinolaryngology Thursday, January 23, 2025 Video In this UTHealth Houston ORL Grand Rounds, Dylan Vance, MD, presents an insightful talk on "When the Chance to Cut Does Not Cure: An Otolaryngologist's Guide to Palliative Care." Dr. Vance discusses the importance of palliative and supportive care in improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. He highlights the roles of various team members, including doctors, social workers, and chaplains, in providing holistic care. The presentation covers the different types of Hospice care, including home Hospice, continuous care, respite care, and facility-based Hospice, and explains the challenges and benefits of each. Dr. Vance also delves into the legal aspects of palliative care in Texas, such as the Texas Advance Directives Act and the process for issuing DNR orders. The talk emphasizes the need for early integration of palliative care to enhance patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary interventions. This comprehensive guide is essential for otolaryngologists and other healthcare professionals involved in patient care.

Lymphovascular Malformations: Pathophysiology and Management for the Otolaryngologist Vivian Jin, MD - UTHealth Houston Otorhinolaryngology Thursday, January 9, 2025 Video In this UTHealth Houston ORL Grand Rounds, Dr. Vivian Jin presents on lymphovascular malformations, focusing on their pathophysiology and management for otolaryngologists. Dr. Jin discusses the historical context, including the first surgery under anesthesia for a vascular tumor in 1846. She differentiates between vascular tumors and malformations, explaining their embryologic development and clinical presentations. Treatments for hemangiomas, such as propranolol, laser therapy, and surgical options, are covered. Dr. Jin also highlights the importance of a multimodal approach for lymphatic malformations, including sclerotherapy and surgical resection. She presents a case study of a patient with an AV malformation treated with embolization and surgical resection. The presentation concludes with future directions in gene therapy and medical management advancements.