See Video Demonstration Below INTRODUCTION  Many techniques have been described for repair of tympanic membrane perforation and often the decision as to which technique to employ is made during the procedure. The site of the perforation, size of the perforation, the condition of the eustachian tube, and surgeon’s experience all influence the decisions. The extent of a tympanic membrane defect is judged at the outset of surgery, including any additional loss of area that may r

Whether or not to surgically treat SSCD syndrome is a decision made jointly with the patient and the surgeon.  Many of the symptoms can be mild and tolerable.  There are however, individual cases where the symptoms are disabling and surgery is warranted.  Some patients can be treated with a minimally invasive technique which we have developed to minimize the manipulation of the temporal lobe of the brain.  Please watch the video below.  Others require a minimal cranial openin

There are a wide variety of sinonasal tumors.  Some are benign while others are aggressive including rare malignancy.  Our program has vast experience operating on these tumors by either the endoscopic and/or if needed, open facial approaches when appropriate. Below is an example of and endoscopic resection of a rare benign vascular tumor approached entirely endoscopically.

Video demonstrating stapedectomy procedure using handheld CO2 laser system.

A Neurotologist is a surgeon who specializes in disorders of the ear and hearing, and brain tumors that originate from the cranial nerves or structures adjacent to the temporal bone portion of the skull.   The most common tumors include acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, glomus tumors and advanced parotid gland and ear skin cancers.  A  Neurotologist performs cochlear implants. A Neurotologist also treats Bell’s Palsy and performs facial nerve surgery. A Neurotologist treats inn

Reconstructive surgery of the middle ear bones can be performed in a variety of ways dependent upon the anatomy and clinical circumstances.  In some instances it can be performed at the primary operation and other times it is best to delay the reconstruction as a second stage, particularly in cases of intact canal wall cholesteatoma when a 'second look” procedure is planned to ensure the lack of recurrence.  The two videos below demonstrate both situations and also utilize di

Musician Huey Lewis Shines Light on Disorder Winfield, IL – May 16, 2018 – The recent news revealing musician Huey Lewis’s struggles with Ménière’s disease has shined a spotlight on the neurological disorder. The symptoms, which include unpredictable bouts of dizziness, hearing loss and ringing in the ears, may get progressively worse over time and can greatly interfere with work, driving and daily activities. 60-year-old Nancy Jackson, of Aurora, Ill., first experienced the

Mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure used for a variety of pathologies.  It is also the primary access method to insert a cochlear implant.  Some of the indications for mastoidectomy include chronic ear infections, cholestaetoma and the removal of tumors  It is the foundation of lateral cranial base and otological surgery.  The video below has been reproduced from my training archive used to teach surgeons how to properly and safely perform the procedure.  Other sections of

Dr. Andrew J. Fishman lectures on his experience using handheld CO2 laser in ear surgery, acoustic neuroma, glomus tumor, meningioma and skull base surgery.  Dr. Fishman is not a paid consultant and has no financial interest in the Omniguide Corporation.  Dr. Fishman was invited to speak because of his clinical and scientific expertise. May 29, 2009

The original article can be found in the PDF file below.

Lecture presented at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Learning Center on Treatment of Hearing Loss.  Lecture was sponsored The American Hearing Research Foundation.

Glomus Juglure tumor are among a class of paraganglioma tumors.  They are typically found in isolation and are benign and originate from specific regions of receptor cells intimately attached to the jugular vein and base of skull in the region of the jugular foramen.  10% however can be either multiple or manifest more agressive pathological featurs.  This area is a conduit for some of the blood vessels and cranial nerves.  Because they are quite vascular, we also work in clo

The following video demonstrates the resection and interposition grafting for a facial neuroma patient.  The patient presented with a near complete facial nerve paralysis with normal hearing.  The middle cranial fossa approach was utilized to preserve the hearing and balance function.  A graft taken from the sural nerve was inserted into the gap created from the tumor and sewn to unaffected nerve endings.  The patient also underwent supplementarly facial nerve reaninmation pr

It started with a face twitch. Mary Broderick, of Elgin, didn't think much of it until her face began drooping on one side. After living with a misdiagnosis of Bell's palsy for three years, Broderick was determined to find out what was really going on. An online search led her to Northwestern Medicine cranial base surgeon Dr. Andrew J. Fishman; and finally a correct, but alarming diagnosis. Broderick had a cancerous tumor in the parotid gland, the main salivary gland. It was