Airway, Voice and Swallowing Center

Care During COVID-19

Our dedicated physicians, nurses and staff are committed to providing the best possible care for children. We have taken unprecedented steps to ensure office visits and procedures are welcoming and safe. Your child’s health and safety is our top priority. Learn more.

Schedule a Virtual Visit

Our team provides patients with virtual visits using video-based programs over a secure Internet connection to the patient’s desktop computer, laptop or tablet. Virtual visits give our patients and families a direct video link with their doctor without having to travel for an appointment. Patients may discuss symptoms and clarify treatment plans from the comfort of their home or another private setting. To arrange a virtual visit, please call 617-573-3190.

Overview

The Pediatric Airway, Voice and Swallowing 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 Treatment for Complex Diagnoses

Disorders involving airway, swallowing and/or 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 subspecialties 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.

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.

Pediatric patients who may benefit from the center include those with:

• Chronic cough
• Congenital and acquired airway disorder laryngeal clefts, subglottic stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, laryngomalacia and juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
• Voice and resonance disorders (vocal nodules, cysts, velopharyngeal insufficiency, etc.)
• Paradoxical vocal fold motion
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) and Eosinophilic esophagitis

The center is actively involved in clinical investigation with a goal toward improving the care of these children. Among the projects the center is focusing on are the following:

• Voice outcomes after laryngotracheal reconstruction
• The effect of gastroesophageal reflux and eosinophilic esophagitis as regards cough, asthma and airway stenosis
• The multi-disciplinary diagnosis and treatment of the adolescent population with paradoxical vocal fold motion and habitual cough
• The use of laryngeal EMG in diagnosing and treating children with vocal fold immobility and the use of nerve reinervation for treatment of this disorder
• The use of the pulsed KTP laser and novel treatments such as Avastin to treat juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
• Best-practice treatment algorithm for children with velopharyngeal insufficiency

Clinical Study: For details contact Christopher_Hartnick@meei.harvard.edu.

NIH-funded study to evaluate the efficacy of voice therapy in children ages 6 to 10 with hoarseness and vocal nodules (enrolled children will receive the therapy at no cost).