Phone: 617-573-4206
The Pediatric Airway/Swallowing/Voice Center, a collaboration of MassGeneral Hospital for Children and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, specializes in the treatment of children with voice disorders and airway management symptoms that affect the ability to eat, breathe, or speak.
Multidisciplinary Pediatric Treatment for Complex Diagnoses
Disorders involving airway / swallowing / voice functions are often complex and may require treatment by more than one medical specialist. The Center has been developed to provide seamless care for pediatric voice disorders across multiple medical sub-specialties including pediatric otolaryngology, gastroenterology, and pulmonology, as well as for the full range of diagnostic testing services. Our unique multidisciplinary approach enhances diagnosis, management, and communication of voice disorders and airway problems with primary care providers.
Pediatric Patients who may benefit from the Center include those with:
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Chronic cough
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Voice and resonance disorders (vocal nodules, cysts, velopharyngeal insufficiency, etc.)
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Congenital and acquired airway disorders such as laryngeal clefts, subglottic stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, laryngomalacia, primary ciliary dyskinesias
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Laryngeal papillomatosis
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Respiratory papillomatosis
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Suspected paradoxical vocal fold / cord motion
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Suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Ongoing Research Ensures State-of-the-Art Treatment for Airway and Voice Disorders
The Center is currently involved in clinical investigations including research into:
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Gastroesophageal reflux and chronic cough
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Occult gastroesophageal reflux
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Voice therapy for children with hoarseness and vocal nodules
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Surgical outcomes of children undergoing excision of vocal fold cyst and nodules
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Innovative treatment of children with juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomas
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Biofeedback therapy for children with paradoxical vocal fold motion
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Nerve reinervation procedures to treat unilateral vocal fold paralysis
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Airway reconstruction for subglottic stenosis
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Endoscopic repairs for children with laryngeal clefts
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Pre-operative positive pressure therapy in lowering the risk of adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep apnea
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Use of cine-MRI dynamic imaging in defining anatomic anomalies in children with velopharyngeal insufficiency
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Use of cine-MRI dynamic imaging in defining anatomic anomalies in children with obstructive sleep apnea
Staff
Co-Directors:
Christopher J. Hartnick, MD, MS Epi
Pediatric Otolaryngology, MEEI
Phone: 617-573-4206
Email: chartnick@partners.org
Stephen Hardy, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterology, MGHfC
Phone: 617-726-8705
Kenan Haver, MD
Pediatric Pulmonolgy, MGHfC
Phone: 617-726-8707
All MDs are board-certified Harvard Medical School faculty.
Speech Pathologist:
Jean Ashland, PhD
Department of Speech Pathology, MGHfC
Phone: 617-726-2751
Nurse Coodinator:
Paula Curran, RN
Phone: 781-736-0040
Hours and Services
Outpatient care: Every Tuesday morning, children will be seen on the second floor at MEEI by the team of combined specialties (Otolaryngology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology). This will allow for children who need to see all three services to have coordinated care at that time. Endoscopies: Each child needing combined procedures such as rigid bronchoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, and/or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) will have these done in the coordinated setting at MEEI.Learn more about the Pediatric Airway/Swallowing/Voice Center.
At MassGeneral Hospital for Children, we know that the time of your child’s diagnosis and treatment is a very stressful one and we strive to provide an open, welcoming environment. We believe that no one knows a child as well as the parent does: parents, along with primary care providers, become our partners in a child's care and have an active voice in all treatment plans.
