Discussion: US Doctors Familiar With ES

US Doctors Familiar With Eagle Syndrome 2019:
THIS IS A LIST OF DOCTORS WHO HAVE HELPED SOME OF OUR MEMBERS FIND SOLUTIONS TO EAGLES OR WHO SOME OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE
HEARD OF. The list is not exhaustive. The intent is to provide a starting point for those of us looking for solutions. THESE ARE NOT RECOMMENDATIONS! Some of these doctors have worked for some members, but not others. Please use your own judgement when determining which doctor to use.

Alabama:
•Dr Joseph Brigance, 201 Whitesport Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35801, (256) 881-5353, http://www.entofhuntsville.com

Alaska:
•Dr Donald Endres, ENT/ Head & Neck Surgeon. Geneva Woods ENT Associates, Inc., 3730 Rhone Cir # 203, Anchorage. 907- 563- 3515

Arizona:
•Dr John Milligan, Arizona Otolaryngology Consultants, Phoenix 602- 264 -4834, http://www.aocphysicians.com (another possible doctor there is Dr Peter Weisskopf, Neurology)
•Dr. Peter Nakaji, 755 East McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ, 602-521-3201, Works w/ vascular ES
https://doctors.bannerhealth.com/provider/Peter+Nakaji/1103456?y_source=1_MTQ4NjU5MDktNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
•Dr. Michael T. Lawton, Barrow Neurological Institute, 2910 North 3rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ,
(602) 406-3181 https://www.barrowneuro.org/person/michael-lawton-md/

California:
•Dr Hussein Samji, Camino ENT Clinic, San Jose 408- 227- 6300 http://www.caminoent.com/professionals/drhussein-samji-camino-ent.html (one of the most experienced ES surgeons in the US, does external surgery.) Contact his medical assistant Yerelin@caminoent.com for a faster response.
•Dr. Edward Joseph Damrose, 801 Welch Rd, Palo Alto, CA 1-650-723-5281 https://stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/d/edward-damrose.html?ecid=glocalsearch-ls-google-doctor-all-EdwardJDamrose
•Dr William Lewis, ENT of Los Gatos, Los Gatos 408- 395- 6121
•Dr. Karuna Dewan, 801 Welch Rd, Palo Alto, CA (650) 723-5281 (Did surgery for Hyoid Bone Syndrome on one member)
•Dr G Lekovic, House Ear Clinic, Los Angeles 213- 483- 9930 http://www.houseearclinic.com/lekovic (also in Orange County, see website)
•Dr Dinesh Chhetri, UCLA, Los Angeles (ENT/ Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon) https://www.uclahealth.org/dinesh-khatri-chhetri (Also does Hyoid Bone Syndrome surgery)
•Dr Avraham Mendelsohn, Los Angeles https://www.uclahealth.org/avraham-mendelsohn
•Dr Gerald Berke, Los Angeles, UCLA Medical Center 310- 794- 8634 (has reportedly done ES surgery, but not on any forum members that we know of) https://www.uclahealth.org/provider/gerald-berkemd
•Dr Henry Chen, Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai 1- 800- 233- 2771 http://bio.csmc.edu/view/8040/chenhen.aspx (doesn’t have a lot of experience with Eagles surgery, but did a successful revision surgery on one member)
•Dr Bruce Gewertz, Los Angeles, Cedars Sinai 1- 800- 233- 2771 http://bio.csmc.edu/view/3581/Bruce-L-Gewertz.aspx
•Dr. Ryan Osborne - https://ohni.org/los-angeles-ent-doctors/
•Dr Christopher Yian, Orange County ENT, Irvine/ Laguna Hills 949- 305- 8000/ 949- 679- 9000 http://www.memorialcare.org/apps/docfinder/provider_detail.cfm?site=S&phys_id22472
•Dr Dennis Crockett, Mission Viejo, http://www.hnaoc.com/dennis-crockett-md-faap-facs.html 949- 396- 3110
•Dr Christopher Duma, Newport Beach, Hoag Hospital, (was mentioned by a member, but we don’t know how much experience he has)
•Dr Brendan Gaylis, Scripps Clinic, Torry Pines, La Jolla 1- 800- 727- 4777 http://www.scripps.org/physicians/4128-brendangaylis-md-facs
•Dr. Brian Jian (Neurosurgeon) & Dr. Balough (Neurotologist) & Dr. Ji (Neurosurgeon/Neurointerventional Radiologist) - KAISER SACRAMENTO, 6600 Bruceville Rd, Sacramento, CA, 916-688-2000
•Kaicheng Lawrence Yen, MD, UC Davis Health Department of Otolaryngology, 2521 Stockton
Blvd, Suite 5200, Sacramento, CA 95817, 916-734-5400 tel, 916-734-6774 fax, Assistant/Receptionist - Ivy Hamilton, 916-734-1759, Dr. Kaicheng Lawrence Yen, M.D., Ph.D. for UC Davis Health

Colorado:
•Dr. Edward Hepworth, IMMUNOe, 3150 E 3rd Ave, Denver, CO 80206 (303) 224-4711 http://www.immunoe.com
•Dr. Robert Breeze, Neurosciences Center - Anschutz, 1635 Aurora Ct 4th Floor, Aurora,
720-848-2080, https://www.cumedicine.us/providers/neurosurgery/robert-breeze

Connecticut
*Dr Mark DeLacure, Otolaryngologist, 24 Hospital Ave Danbury, CT, (646) 761-9548, https://www.healthcare4ppl.com/physician/connecticut/danbury/mark-d-delacure-1326049453.html He has done many surgeries from NYU; recently moved to Danbury.

Florida:
•Dr Jeffrey Scott Magnuson, Advent Health Medical Group Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery at Celebration, 410 Celebration Pl, Suite 305, Kissimmee, FL, (407) 303-4120, https://www.adventhealthcancerinstitute.com/meet-our-cancer-team/j-scott-magnuson (Did intraoral robotic surgery for pinkeagle)
•Dr. Bruce Haughey, Advent Health Medical Group Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery at Celebration, 410 Celebration Pl, Suite 305, Kissimmee, FL, (407) 303-4120, https://www.adventhealthmedicalgroup.com/central-florida/physician/npi/1174549398?reason=1&department=778
•Dr Dzigielewski, UF Health, ENT, Shands Hospital, Gainsville 352- 265- 0920 www.ufhealth.org/peter-dziegielewski (does intraoral surgery, wouldn’t help two members; believes there must be pain upon styloid palpation for surgery to be necessary).
•Dr Gilberto Alemar, Cleveland Clinic, Weston 954- 659- 5786 (has done many ES surgeries, but other doctors at the Cleveland Clinic don’t believe in vascular ES, so we don’t know if he does) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/4109-gilberto-alemar
•Dr Raam Lakhani, Watson Clinic, Bella Vista Building, Lakeland 863- 680- 7468 https://www.watsonclinic.com/physicians/raam-s-lakhani.html
•Dr David Arnold U of Miami Health Systems, Miami 305- 243- 4000 (mentioned by one member but don’t know how surgery went, successful surgery with another.) http://uhealthsystem.com/doctots/profile/1288
•Dr Rui Fernandes, University of Florida and Shands Hospital, 653-1 8th St W, Jacksonville, (904) 383-1018, https://hscj.ufl.edu
• Dr. Anthony Bunnell, 653 W. 8th St., Jacksonville FL, (904) 244-3218 https://www.baptistjax.com/doctors/oral-and-maxillofacial-surgeon/dr-anthony-bunnell-md
•Dr. Jonathan M. Morgan, 1330 S Ft Harrison Ave, Clearwater, (727) 441-3588, https://entflorida.com/doctor/jonathan-m-morgan-md/. Dr. Morgan knows about & diagnoses ES but doesn’t do ES surgery.

Georgia:
•Dr. Rishi Gupta, Wellstar Vascular Neurologist, https://www.wellstar.org/global-search?q=Rishi%20Gupta&cat=p
•Dr. Michael Vick, Wellstar ENT, 699 Church Street NE, Suite 340, Marietta, GA, (678) 355-1620. https://www.wellstar.org/physicians/michael-vick-md
,
Hawaii:
•Dr Scott Newman, Kaiser Permanente, Wailuku, Maui 808- 243- 6000 (only takes Kaiser patients)
•Dr Lawrence Burgess, Honolulu (did intra-oral surgery, but just broke tip off, so check he would remove more & smooth tip)

Idaho:
•Dr Jeff Burry, Valley ENT, Lewiston 208- 746- 0193 http://valleyentgroup/providers/index.html

Illinois:
•Dr Jason Cundiff, 27790 IL-22 Ste 27, Barrington, IL, (847) 649-6000, (Does intra-oral and external surgery) https://theentcc.com
•Dr Miloro, University of Illinois, Chicago 312- 996- 7640 http://hospital.uillinois.edu/Find_a_Doctor/Michael_Miloro.thm

Iowa:
•Dr Douglas Van Daele, ENT, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52242, (319) 353-8162 https://uihc.org/douglas-van-daele (mentioned by Hawk87 & amsriesen)

Kansas:
•Dr Eric Purdom, NE Kansas Facial Plastic and ENT 785- 539- 3504

•Dr Keith Sale, KU Medical Centre , Kansas City 913- 588- 6701 (mixed results)
http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/otolaryngology/about-the-department/faculty-and-staff/faculty/keith-sale.html

Kentucky:
•Dr Bumpous, U of L Physicians, 401 E Chestnut St # 710, Louisville, KY 40202, (502) 583-3687 https://www.uoflphysicians.com/ear-nose-throat

Louisiana:
•Dr Daniel Nuss, Lake Head and Neck Center, Baton Rouge, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (Skull base surgeon) ~ 5/29/21 - We were told by a member that Dr. Nuss is not currently accepting new patients. https://marybird.org/doctor/nuss/
•Dr Moore, New Orleans- has done a research paper but we don’t know about whether he’s done surgeries.
•Dr. Stephen Hernandez, 4950 Essen Ln # 400, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, (225) 765-1765, https://marybird.org/doctor/hernandez/

Maryland:
•Dr Elizabeth Guardriani, University of Maryland Medical Centre, Baltimore 1- 866-408- 6885 http://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/Guardiani-Elizabeth/
•Dr Rodney Taylor, University of Maryland Medical Centre, Baltimore 1- 866- 408- 6885
http://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/Taylor-Rodney/

Massachusetts:
•Dr Timothy Anderson, Lahey Clinic 744- 781- 8467 https://physicians.lahey.org/details/1565/timothy-anderson-otolaryngology_ear_nose__throat-burlington
•Dr Timothy Osborne, Boston University Medical Center, 617- 638- 4350 https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/timothy-m-osborn-md-dds-facs
•Dr Donald Annino, Brigham and Womens, Boston (surgeries on several members), (617) 525-6500 https://physiciandirectory.brighamandwomens.org/details/1975/donald-annino-jr-otolaryngology_ears_nose_and_throat-boston
Dr Jalisi, Beth Israel, Boston. Has done a research paper on Eagles, but don’t know about surgery.

Michigan:
•Dr Candice Colby-Scott (co-wrote a research paper on ES/ SHCS, but told one member she’s not doing surgery any more)

•Dr Gregory Artz, Grand Rapids ENT, 1425 Michigan St. NE, Suite A, Grand Rapids, (616) 459-4514,
https://grentpc.com
•Dr Carlos Ramirez, Lakeshore Ear, Nose & Throat Center, 21000 Twelve Mile Road, Suite 111, St. Clair Shores, 586-263-7400 https://www.lakeshoreent.com/provider/carlos-a-ramirez-md-dds-facs
•Dr Dennis Bojrab, Michigan Ear Institute, 3555 13 Mile Rd Suite 210, Royal Oak, 248- 865- 4444 http://www.michiganear.com/ear-doctor-dennis-bojrab-md.html

Minnesota:
•Dr. William Omlie, Surgical Consultants, 6405 France Ave S Ste W440, Edina, MN (952) 927-7004, https://www.sharecare.com/doctor/dr-william-r-omlie Dr. William Omlie works with his nephew, Dr. James Omlie, Maxillofacial Surgeon. They do the ES surgeries together. James is the expert of the skull base area & William is the expert of the jugular & arteries (vascular) areas.
•Dr Cha, Headache Clinic at the U of MN works with Dr Omlie, can diagnose ES & refers to Dr Omlie.
•Dr Frank Ondrey, University of Minneapolis Medical Center 612- 625- 7400 (Does intra-oral surgery in most cases & breaks styloid off close to normal length not at skull base. Also questions whether neurological symptoms are related to ES) https://www.ent.umn.edu/bio/ent-faculty/frank-ondrey

Montana
•Dr. Paul Byorth, 2800 10th Ave N, Billings, MT, 406-238-2500, https://www.billingsclinic.com/find-a-doctor/profile/paul-byorth/

Nebraska:
•Dr Dan Lydiatt, University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Methodist Clinic . Clinic 402- 559- 1700, Office 402- 559- 7775, Methodist Clinic 402- 354- 5890 https://www.md.com/doctor/daniel-lydiatt-md
•Dr Coughlin, Methodist Hospital, Omaha (Head and Neck Oncologist, has done external skull base surgery 7-10 times, and steroid injections) https://www.mhsdoctors.com/physicians/11116003

Nevada:
•Dr Manthei, Nevada Eye and Ear 702- 896- 6043 www.nevadaeyeandear

New Jersey
•Dr. Gary Heir, Orofacial Specialist, 90 Bergen Street Suite 7700, Newark, NJ, (973) 972-2444
https://rutgershealth.org/provider/gary-heir (Familiar w/ ES but doesn’t do ES surgery. Diagnosed 1 member)

New York:
•Dr Yosef Krespi, Lenox Hill Hospital, Manhattan 212- 262- 2929 https://www.northwell.edu/find-care/find-a-doctor/otolaryngology/dr-yosef-krespi-md-11355020
•Dr Peter Constantino, Lenox Hill Hospital, Manhattan 212- 262- 2929 (mentioned by a member, but don’t know if he’s done any surgeries)
http://www.nyhni.org/find-a-physician/Peter-D-Costantino-MD,FACS
•Dr Mark deLacure, NYU, New York City (has done surgery on 2 or 3 members) https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1326049453/mark-d-delacure
•Dr Andrew Tassler, Otolaryngologist, New York City, has done a couple of intra-oral surgeries.

North Carolina:
•Dr Richard Gillespie, Monroe 704- 289- 8220 http://richardgillespie.md.com/
•Dr. Trevor Hackman, UNC Ear, Nose and Throat Oncology Clinic – in the N.C. Cancer Hospital, 101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, (984) 974-6484 (Does intraoral robotic surgery - removes styloid to skull base & stylohyoid ligament AND external surgery). Trained Dr. Patel, who is now doing ES surgeries.
•Dr. Matthew Ellison, 3480 Wake Forest Rd #404, Raleigh, (919) 862-5730, https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/matthew-d-ellison-md

  • Dr. Heckler at Duke Health- trained with Dr Hackman, does intra-oral surgery.

Ohio:
•Dr Lamarre, Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, Main Campus https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/17359-eric-lamarre
•Dr Brian Burkey, Cleveland Clinic, 216- 444- 6691 ( Otolaryngologist/ ENT, Head and Neck surgeon. At least one successful surgery, but only believes in Classic ES, not vascular) https://health.usnews.com/doctors/brian-burkey-12088
•Dr Lorenz, Otolaryngology, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/4447-robert-lorenz
•Dr Eugene Choi, Ohio State University, Columbus 614- 366- 3687 (external, successful surgery, but I couldn’t find any record of him at this facility & previous web address for him no longer valid, see Dr Old below. Here’s the Otolaryngology website: https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/departments/otolaryngology/team )
•Dr Matthew Old, Otolaryngology, Ohio Sate University, James Cancer Hospital, Columbus (one surgery that we know of) *Dr. Old reportedly used a novel approach on a FaceBook ES Forum member where he removed styloid regrowth to the skull base & packed the skull base w/ cadaver bone (May 2021).
https://cancer.osu.edu/find-a-doctor/search-physician-directory/matthew-o-old
•Dr Arick Forrest, Ohio Sate University 614- 366- 3687 (has done several successful surgeries) https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/find-a-doctor/l-arick-forrest-md-2677
•Dr Richard Nelson, Toledo ENT, Maumee 419- 578- 7555 http://www.toledoent.com/rjnelson.htm
•Dr Brad deSilva, OSU Wexner Hospital, https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/find-a-doctor/brad-desilva-md-22675 He has also done hyoid bone surgery.
•Dr. Yash Patil, 222 Piedmont Ave #5200, Cincinnati, OH, (513) 475-8400, https://www.uchealth.com/physician/yash-patil/

Oklahoma:
•Dr Greg Krempl, Stephenson Cancer Centre/ OU Physicians Otorhinlaryngology Clinic, Oaklahoma City 405- 271- 7559 (otolaryngologist, need a physicians referral) https://stephensoncancercenter.org/Patients/Clinics-Services/Head-and-Neck-Cancers/Treatment-Team/greg-krempl-md

Oregon:
•Dr Erik Dierks, Head and Neck Surgical Assoc., Portland 503- 244- 1371 https://head-neck.com/eric-dierks/ - now semi retired, but Dr. Baber Khatib is now doing surgery here (has done bilateral intra-oral surgery without removing tonsils).
•Dr Andrew Patel, PDX ENT, Pacific Northwest Portland 503- 222- 3638 (Otolaryngologist) https://pdxent.com/
•Dr Joshua Schindler, 3303 SW Bond Ave OHSU Northwest Clinic for Voice and Swallowing, South Waterfront Center for Health and Healing Building 1, Suite 15, Portland, OR 97239, (503) 494-5947, https://www.ohsu.edu/providers/joshua-s-schindler/9EF420F1ED06418895F18EF1278ED60A?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=59c4959b-a363-53b5-8065-7cbeb0ecee7d Has apparently done 18 sucessful surgeries, intra-oral and external.
•Dr. Sunshine Dwojak, 9900 SE Sunnyside Rd, Clackamas, OR, (503) 653-2880, She is a Kaiser doctor.
https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/oregon-washington/clinicians/sunshine-dwojak-4710839

Pennsylvania:
•Dr Cognetti, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia 215- 955- 6760 (Has done many successful surgeries on members). Only removes ligaments if calcified. https://hospitals.jefferson.edu/find-a-doctor/c/cognetti-david-m.html
•Dr Kevin Leahy U of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia https://www.pennmedicine.org/providers/profile/kevin-leahy
Also another doctor at U of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, doesn’t want to be named, but contact scheduler Lindsay Flood 215- 829- 5180/ 800- 789- 7366, ask for her & say you have ES and would like scans to be reviewed by the appropriate surgeon.
•Dr Carl Snyderman, Uni of Pittsburgh 412- 647- 2100 (Otolaryngologist, brain surgeon, neurologist, skull base. Diagnosed one member) http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/centers-excellence/cranial-base-center/carl-snyderman
•Dr Roger Levin, Harrisburg https://health.usnews.com/doctors/roger-levin-535963
•Dr. Raj Dedhia, 3400 Spruce St, 5 Ravdin, Philadelphia, (215) 662-2777
•Dr. David Goldenberg, 200 Campus Dr Suite 400, Entrance 2, Hershey, PA 17033, (717) 531-6822, https://hmc.pennstatehealth.org/otolaryngology

South Carolina:
•Dr Eric Lentsch, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 843- 792- 3531 (Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Cancer) https://muschealth.org/muscapps/providerdirectory/lentsch-eric Does intra-oral surgery, but does several incisions to get as much of the styloid out as possible.
•Dr Jason Newman, 135 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29425, (843) 792-9300, https://providers.muschealth.org/sc/charleston/jason-g.-newman-md

Tennessee:
•Dr Mark Williams, Southern Hills, Nashville (615) 832- 2200 http://entson.net/contact-us/
•Dr. Kyle Mannion, 1215 21st Ave S #7209, Nashville, (615) 322-6180 https://vanderbilthealth.com
•Dr. David Armstrong, 901 Riverfront Pkwy #300, Chattanooga, TN, (423) 698-8981 http://chattanoogasinusrelief.com

Texas:
•Dr Donald T Donovan, Baylor College of Medicine 713- 795- 5900 (external surgery, successful on one member, but not helpful to another) https://www.bcm.edu/people/view/donald-donovan-md-facs/b16ef3bb-ffed-11e2-be68-080027880ca6
•Dr Newberry, SAMCC Army Hospital, San Antonio
•Dr. David Hayes, SAMCC (Brooke Army Medical Center), 3851 Roger Brooke Dr # 3600, Fort Sam Houston, (210) 916-6874
•Dr Teresa Chan-Leveno, University Of Texas Southwestern Medicine Centre, Dallas 214- 645- 8898 (Otolaryngologist) https://utswmed.org/doctors/teresa-chan-leveno/
•Dr Agan, University Of Texas Southwestern (says she has had success with ES surgery- one member saw her but opted to travel to someone more experienced) https://utswmed.org/doctors/ashley-agan/
•Dr Lawrence Weprin, Dallas (Otolaryngologist) http://www.entnorthtexas.com/Pages/DocView.aspx?ProvID=10977
•Dr Richard Ragsdale, Presbyterian Hospital, Allen 972- 747- 4646 (ENT/ Otolaryngologist, successful surgery reported) May be retired
Dr Ron Karni, UT Physicians, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center, Houston
•Dr Frank Miller, https://directory.uthscsa.edu/academics/profile/millerfr

Utah:
•Dr Marshall Smith, Salt Lake City (Successful thyroid cartilage surgery on ramblinman)

Virginia:
•Dr Stephen Early, University of VA, Charlottesville 434- 243- 6098 (Successful surgery reported, but is now only taking pediatric patients) https://med.virginia.edu/otolaryngology/faculty/stephen-v-early-m-d/
•Dr John Sinacori, EVMS Otolaryngology, 600 Gresham Dr Suite 1100, Norfolk 757- 388- 6200, https://www.chkd.org/Our-Doctors/Surgical-Specialists/CHN-Practices/EVMS-Otolaryngology/John-Sinacori,-MD/?utm_source=local-listing&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=website-link

Washington:
•Dr Neil Futran UW Medical Center, Seattle 206- 598- 4022 (successful intra-oral surgery) http://www.uwmedicine.org/bios/neal-futran

Washington, D.C.
Dr Bruce Davidson, Georgetown University Hospital Gorman Building 1st Floor, Georgetown,
Office: 202-444-8186, https://www.medstarhealth.org/doctor/dr-bruce-j-davidson-md/
We believe one member has had intra-oral surgery with him.

Wisconsin:
•Dr Robert DeFatta, Chippewa Falls (says he’s done at least 5 ES surgeries, but not on any members that we know of) https://defattaent.com/
•Dr. S Nalwa, 512 S 28th Ave, Wausau, WI 54401, (715) 847-202, https://entwausau.com

6 Likes

Thank you for this list!

My doctor was Dr Arnold at the University of Miami. I was diagnosed with ES by another doctor and referred to Dr Arnold for surgery. The surgery was successful but I still have nerve damage in my trigeminal nerve. I doubt it will ever fully healed but I am no long at deaths door. I would recommend Dr Arnold if someone is thinking of surgery in the south Florida area.

Thanks ann; he’s on there, I’ve added that a member had successful surgery with him. I still have some TN pain post surgery, controlled well with medication, I can only presume the nerve was damaged by the styloid. I know that it’s better than it was before & at least not getting worse like it was- hope yours does too…

Thank you for update.
Just want to mention another specialist in New York City familiar with ES.
Dr. Catherine Sinclair, MD, Head and Neck surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital.
She finally was able to confirm my ES at the appointment couple months ago. She proposed surgery with optional extraoral or intraoral approch, and sounds to be experienced with both. With intraoral approch she said that she may be able to keep tonsil and go around it.
Anyway, I’m gonna take second opinion before I go forward with surgery.

1 Like

Mr. Nikolay,
I generally vote for the external surgery because all of the styloid & s-h ligament can be removed which helps prevent regrowth/re-calcification. The intraoral approach provides less access to the area.

A second opinion is an excellent idea! Hope you can find someone near you. If not a phone consultation w/ Dr. Samji, Dr. Cognetti or Dr. Milligan would also do the trick.

1 Like

Mr. Nikolay,
I have an ENT surgeon I’m working with in NYC at Weill Cornell. He is a known head/neck surgeon but he has only done 3 ES surgeries in his career. He would want to do the intraoral approach and said that he could do it would out a problem. I am now waiting for Dr. Cognetti to review my scans, then to get back to me. (fingers crossed)

My PCP did a search for doctors who are know for ES surgeries and Dr. Sinclair did not come up.

All the best,
Teresa

1 Like

iIsaiah_40_31, Teresa.
I’m going to PA tomorrow. It’s sounds like Dr Cognetti is one of the most experienced ES surgeon on East Coast verified by this community and has lot of successful styloidectomy surgeries. That what I was looking for. Thanks a lot for advise.

I have partially calcified ligaments on both sides, so I think surgical approach is not in doubt in this case.
On the other hand, my left styloid (angled, 60mm long) somehow almost sticking out on the side of my tonsil, I can fill it and even bend it with my tong. So it may be easy to trace it with intraoral. Also have some old stones in my tonsil that maybe make sense to remove. I hope tomorrow Dr Cognetti will help to clarify all these things.

2 Likes

Mr. Nikolay,

Dr. Cognetti is very experienced. I’m sure you’ll come away from your appointment feeling much more clear about your surgical choices & what needs to be done to alleviate your ES pain & symptoms. Having both an elongated styloid & calcified ligaments indicates to me that you will have greater success w/ external surgery as both can be accessed that way. Intraoral surgery doesn’t provide for much ligament access.

1 Like

Does anyone have personal experience with Texas surgeons? If so, any details are helpful. Thanks.

Has anyone had experience with Dr. Chheda at Shands Hospital in Gainsville Florida? I already have a preliminary diagnosis from and ENT and have been referred to Dr. Chheda. Thanks in advance.
~ Amy

Hi gr8fulgirl777 - Dr. Chheda is not listed on our US Doctors’ List, therefore, I will speculate that you’re the first person to talk about him in a post & perhaps to see him. If you get no replies to your question, and you do go see him, we will rely on you to let us know if your experience was positive & supportive or something less than that.

Remember that going into an appointment w/ the following will serve you well:
• a list of your basic symptoms (not every little thing you think might be related to ES)

• an understanding of the full definition of ES (many doctors limit the definition to elongated styloids) - Definition: Elongated styloid process(es) OR calcified stylohyoid ligaments OR a combo of the two. Variations on that theme can also be normal length styloids that are extra thick, twisted, pointed or curved which cause ES symptoms.

• any questions you have about his surgical approach for ES i.e. outpatient, inpatient, type of surgery he does, recovery time expected, etc.

•being informed about the two types of surgeries used to help “cure” ES symptoms (introral - via the throat or external - via the neck). In general, I am more in favor of the external approach because I feel it’s safer (vascular tissues & nerves can be seen & monitored during surgery so they can be moved out of the way to help prevent damage) & allows the styloid process to removed to the skull base & the stylohyoid ligament to be removed to the hyoid bone if necessary). Intraoral surgery provides little if any visibility to nerves & vascular tissues & w/o multiple incisions in the throat, does not allow for much more than shortening the styloid process but not removing it completely. It also provides little or no access to the stylohyoid ligament if it’s calcified as well.

You may have thought of other questions you’d like to ask, I just wanted to give you some basics.

I hope this is all helpful.

:slightly_smiling_face:

Thank you for the email,

I appreciate the feed back. I will keep LWES informed as to how my visit goes.

Amy

Thank you! We will look forward to hearing what you learn.

Bumping this up!

Hi Amy,

How did things go for you w/ Dr. Chheda?

Wow Thanks Jules for getting this out. Lots more info these days.

2 Likes

Hi,

I am in Seattle, Washington.

When I mentioned Eagle Syndrome both my pain specialist (At the University of Washington), and my ENT (at Swedish) initially suggested Dr. Albert L. Merati, UW Medicine. I believe he might do intra-oral (transoral?) as the ENT indicated he removes tonsils, but I don’t know. His reviews are good. Edit: I did read that external surgery is preferred, so I chose the recommended physician here

However, based upon the recommendations here, I requested a referral to Neal Futran, MD, DMD ( I had also written to an ENT surgeon at the UW I saw a few years ago (Allen Hillel, he works with speech/opera singers). He wrote me last night and also recommended Dr. Futran.)

I am trying to get an appointment. I will keep you posted.

Gwendolyn,

Thank you for this information. We generally wait until after a member has had a successful ES surgery w/ a doctor to add that doctor to the list. It would be AWESOME to get a reliable ES doctor on our list for WA! I hope one of these works out for you.

The only caveat about intraoral surgery is that you need to make sure the surgeon will remove as much of the styloid process as possible not just cut off the tip. New intraoral techniques allow the styloid to be removed at the skull base (best scenario) & the stylohyoid ligament to be removed if necessary. If the surgeon you see says he only shortens the styloid, ask how much he shortens it & if he smooths the tip off after cutting it back. This is important to know. External surgery is what we prefer because it allows the surgeon to see & monitor the nerves & vascular tissues during surgery to help keep irritation to to them a minimum. Healing is a bit quicker w/ external surgery as well. Both intraoral & external surgeries have good outcomes if the surgeon doing the surgery is reasonably aggressive in removing the styloid & the stylohyoid ligament if it’s got any calcification on it at all.

Thank you! I did edit my post to indicate I know external is preferred (I read the study), and that I chose Dr. Futran as he is on the list here. If he won’t help, I will probably contact Dr. Sanji.