Our Approach To Pediatric Otolaryngology
Montefiore Einstein Pediatric Otolaryngology is a nationally recognized leader in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT), head and neck conditions. As part of a multidisciplinary team, our world-renowned doctors are committed to providing comprehensive diagnoses and treatment, working across disciplines to develop a care plan tailored to each patient’s unique medical, emotional and developmental needs. Our physicians are specialists in advanced airway reconstructions, cochlear implantation, pediatric malignancies and thyroid surgeries.
Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and the latest treatment protocols, our team delivers personalized, high-quality care designed to improve health and enhance well-being. As leaders in research and education, the faculty at Montefiore Einstein Pediatric Otolaryngology regularly contributes to the field through grants, national presentations, publications and clinical studies. We recently participated in crafting a policy statement for the American Academy of Pediatrics on Preventing Excessive Noise Exposure in Infants, Children and Adolescents.
Advanced Diagnostics & Treatments
The multidisciplinary team of world-renowned physicians at Montefiore Einstein Pediatric Otolaryngology uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and treatment techniques to create comprehensive, effective care plans tailored to each child’s needs. With expertise in complex airway reconstruction, cochlear implantation and bone-anchored hearing aids, the team is at the forefront of providing innovative solutions for conditions that affect breathing, hearing and overall development. Our expert physicians collaborate across departments to provide advanced surgical interventions using minimally invasive techniques.
Montefiore Einstein Pediatric Otolaryngology is committed to offering access to emerging treatment options, including advanced hearing devices, leading-edge surgical approaches and therapies designed to target rare ENT conditions. The team also integrates adaptive technologies and collaborative therapies to enhance communication, mobility and quality of life for patients and their families. In addition to surgical and medical treatments, care plans often include speech therapy, feeding therapy and continued multidisciplinary support to ensure optimal long-term health and development. This comprehensive approach reflects the division’s commitment to advancing pediatric otolaryngology care and improving outcomes for children and their families.
The Aerodigestive Program at Montefiore Einstein (ADAM) represents a paradigm shift in pediatric aerodigestive care, offering integrated, multidisciplinary approaches for optimal outcomes. ADAM addresses the complex needs of children with aerodigestive disorders. We provide comprehensive, coordinated, patient-centered care for children with airway, esophageal and swallowing issues.
Our team of board certified pediatric otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists provides specialized care for children with dysphagia, using tests like modified barium swallow (MBS) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) for diagnosis and treatment. At our monthly Dysphagia Clinic, both specialists assess patients, review findings with families and offer tailored recommendations, including airway surgery if needed. Complex cases are managed collaboratively by our multidisciplinary aerodigestive team.
The Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD) Clinic comprises a multidisciplinary team of pediatric otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists who specialize in the evaluation and medical and surgical treatment of patients with hypernasality and other resonance disorders. The goal is to assess the patient’s speech, resonance and velopharyngeal function, and to form a treatment plan. Through a comprehensive team assessment, these specialists try to determine the cause of the speech problem and the contributing factors.
The Pediatric Thyroid Nodule and Cancer Clinic (PTNCC) provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for children and adolescents with thyroid nodules and cancer, ensuring accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment. Patients undergo a same-day thyroid ultrasound, followed by evaluations from both an endocrinologist and thyroid surgeon, with ultrasound-guided biopsies performed if necessary. Complex cases are further reviewed by a specialized thyroid tumor board, ensuring thorough and expert-driven management.
The Cochlear Implant Program provides expert, personalized care for children with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, using surgically implanted devices to restore auditory perception. Through early diagnosis with auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing and audiology evaluations, our team determines candidacy for cochlear implantation and ensures long-term follow-up care and rehabilitation. Partnering with the Rose F. Kennedy Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC) and specialized schools, we support families in optimizing their child’s hearing and advocacy.
The Pediatric Vestibular Clinic evaluates and treats children with symptoms of dizziness and imbalance. Patients with symptoms of unexplained dizziness or vertigo, frequent falls, periodic episodes of nausea or vomiting or clumsiness may be candidates for the clinic. Our expert team of multidisciplinary specialists understands the way that balance disorders and dizziness can adversely affect gross motor development, neurocognition and quality of life. Patients are evaluated on the same day by an audiologist who performs hearing and balance testing, as well as a pediatric ENT physician and a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. After evaluation in the clinic, an individualized treatment plan is developed, which may include a course of vestibular rehabilitation exercises, medications or referral to other subspecialists.
The Pediatric Voice Clinic provides multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment for children with voice disorders, including vocal fold nodules, cysts, paralysis and muscle tension dysphonia. Patients are assessed by a pediatric ENT specialist and a voice therapist using videostroboscopy and voice recordings. Individualized treatment plans range from vocal exercises to surgical management, depending on the patient’s needs. Our goal is to deliver compassionate, tailored care that acknowledges the impact of voice problems on a child’s communication, academics and self-esteem.
Discovering New Treatment for Pediatric ENT Patients
Our team has a robust portfolio of clinical studies and several active grants. Our researchers and clinicians are currently investigating a wide range of pediatric ENT conditions, including the impact of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis on airway function, the effectiveness of advanced hearing devices and the optimization of surgical techniques for congenital abnormalities and malignancies. We are expanding access to innovative care while improving outcomes for children and their families by participating in multi-site studies and contributing to the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Community Education & Engagement
Community education and engagement are equally integral to the mission of Montefiore Einstein Pediatric Otolaryngology. Faculty members lead workshops, courses and symposia for healthcare providers, families and the broader community to enhance understanding and management of pediatric ENT conditions. Outreach efforts include programs that support families with children who have ENT conditions, including congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) and DiGeorge syndrome, also known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. These initiatives reflect our unwavering dedication to fostering innovation, awareness and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Your Pediatric Otolaryngology Team
Michel N. Nassar, MD
The multidisciplinary team of physicians and specialists at Montefiore Einstein Pediatric Otolaryngology includes world-renowned leaders in the diagnosis, treatment and research of pediatric ENT conditions. Our team works across disciplines and departments to provide comprehensive, effective treatment plans tailored to each patient, combining clinical excellence with targeted research.
