MassGeneral Hospital for Children / Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Lab Information: Collaboration with Dr. Gary Tearney, Wellman Laboratories
Summary of research
The two areas of chief interest we are actively involved in laboratory studies involve studying the development of the pediatric vocal fold and the study of ways of predicting recovery for children with vocal cord paralysis. With regards to the development of the pediatric vocal fold, we are collaborating with Dr Tierney in the Wellman Lab to build an in-vivo confocal microscope endoscope so that we can use this tool intraoperatively to evaluate the histologic development of the developing vocal fold. We will be beginning a clinical trial in October 2007. With regards to pediatric vocal paralysis, we have a animal model where we are testing a novel laryngeal EMG apparatus for its ability to predict eventual nerve recovery and expect to have a translational clinical trial by 2009.
With regards to strictly clinical research, we are actively enrolling patients in two studies: 1) a clinical trial testing the efficacy of treating children with chronic cough for gastroesophageal reflux and 2) testing the efficacy of pulse dye laser treatment (as opposed to conventional therapy) for children with laryngeal respiratory papilloma).
Contact Information
Christopher Hartnick MD
Department of Otolaryngology
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
243 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-573-4206
Christopher_hartnick@meei.harvard.edu
