FOR CURRENT PATIENTS: Are you having surgery by Dr. Daniel Lee? - you can download your post-surgery instructions here.
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Pediatric and adult cochlear implants - an overview of clinical indications for cochlear implants, the multidisciplinary team based at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI), minimally invasive surgery, titanium screw fixation techniques to avoid tie down holes (especially when the skull is thin in patients 12 months of age or less), basic overview of CI surgery, and what to expect following surgery.
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Meningitis and cochlear implants - although a rare occurrence following CI surgery, it is important that all patients, pediatric and adult, receive the correct PNEUMOCOCCAL vaccine.
Download our letter to patients that describes the appropriate vaccine for CI patients and candidates.
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Legislation to improve coverage of pediatric cochlear implant services - State Senator James Eldridge (Massachusetts) - In January of 2009, Senator Jamie Eldridge teamed with Dr. Daniel Lee of MEEI and submitted S469 (formerly H3855), which would require health insurance plans to cover cochlear implant operations and post treatment services for children. Insurance is a major access factor to the CI technology. Please contact your legislator in support of this important piece of legislation to help deaf infants and children of the Commonwealth receive cochlear implant services.
Download the text of Bill S469 here (pdf file)
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NIH study: idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) multicenter treatment trial is now CLOSED BUT we are still actively caring for patients with sudden single-sided deafness with either high dose oral steroids or intratympanic steroid therapy. Learn more about sudden hearing loss here - www.suddendeafness.org
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superior semicircular canal dehiscence / superior canal dehiscence syndrome - known as Minor syndrome, superior canal dehiscence is a middle fossa skull base defect involving one of the vestibular (balance) organs. Specifically, a tiny hole in the superior (also known as anterior semicircular canal) in one or both ears can cause hearing loss AND/OR imbalance / dizziness, fullness of the involved ear and autophony (echo during self-vocalization). Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) or superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) can result in many symptoms that resemble more common disorders of hearing loss and imbalance like otosclerosis, Eustachian tube dysfunction, patulous Eustachian tube, Menieres disease or BPPV.
Patients who need surgery can undergo repair of SCDS using either a transmastoid or middle fossa craniotomy surgery.
Case 1 - 27 year old woman with left SCDS who underwent middle fossa craniotomy and plugging (video)
Case 2 - 39 year old woman with left SCDS who underwent middle fossa craniotomy and plugging (video)
Case 3 - 48 year old man with left SCDS and meningoencephalocele who underwent middle fossa craniotomy, repair of tegmen defect, and plugging
Case 4 - 15 year old female patient with dizziness and right SCDS from a prominent superior petrosal sinus who underwent transmastoid plugging
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April 15-18, 2009 - PAWS otology and neurotology surgery course - guest lecturers include John House MD and Vittorio Colletti MD - This is an ear surgery / temporal bone course with whole skull dissection, and will take place at the Practical Anatomy & Surgical Education, Center for Anatomical Science and Education, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri. Both basic otologic (April 15 and 16) and advanced otologic and neurotologic (April 17 and 18) surgical topics will be covered. General otolaryngologists, pediatric otolaryngologists, otologists, and neurotologists are welcome. Course Directors: Anthony Mikulec MD and Daniel Lee MD.
download the flyer here
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