Winter 2009/2010 - SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center

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making a DifferenceCardinal Glennon Division of OtolaryngologyAnita Jeyakumar, M.D., examines Isaiah Little, 1, during his follow up visit on Oct. 16 at Cardinal Glennon’s clinic. Dr. Jeyakumar performed Isaiah’s bilateral implant on Sept. 30.4The SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical CenterDivision of Otolaryngology is a comprehensive ENTprogram, treating a full spectrum of conditionsincluding ear disease and sinus, sleep, neck and airwaydisorders.In three short years at Cardinal Glennon, Division DirectorRon Mitchell, M.D., has recruited numerous faculty and staffwhose shared goal is to care compassionately for patients andgrow the program to reach more children in need.The Division currently staffs eight faculty, two nursepractitioners and two clinic nurses. Anita Jeyakumar, M.D.,and Alan Wild, M.D., are the most recent faculty additions.Dr. Jeyakumar is expanding Cardinal Glennon’s CochlearImplant Center, while Dr. Wild is seeing patients several timesa month at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in South St. LouisCounty 1 .Yet, even with the new faculty, Dr. Mitchell says he owesmuch of the Division’s growth to the nurse practioners, TaraAlbert, CPNP, and Alicia McGlaughlin, CPNP.“They are the reason we have been able to grow the division,”Dr. Mitchell says. “They keep us all on track and the trainmoving forward.”Albert says her role is about convenience. The Divisioncurrently holds slots open for urgent clinic appointments,so Albert can bring patients in at the request of communityphysicians 2 .To provide the services needed for each of its unique patients,the Division also works extremely closely with audiologists,speech and language therapists, the Division of Sleep Services,and the Division of Allergy and Immunology.“We make an efficient game plan for the parents and providethe best care for the child,” Albert says. “We understand thecost of getting here, so we coordinate from the beginning.”This teamwork has also allowed the Division to expand itsresearch. Dr. Mitchell is the Principal Investigator on a largeNIH-sponsored grant to study children with sleep apnea. Thestudy, known as CHAT, is a joint project with CardinalGlennon’s Sleep Services.Thomas Donovan, M.D., is also working with CardinalGlennon Dermatologist Elaine Siegfried on a studyexamining the relationship between sinusitis and eczema.“Pediatric ENT involves a number of subspecialties withinspecialties, and we are only as good as this interaction,” Dr.Mitchell says. “In order to provide optimal care for each child,we must work together. Our relationships are something thatis unique to Cardinal Glennon.”1For the South County schedule, please visitwww.cardinalglennon.com, For Professionals, Close to Home Schedules.2 To make an appointment, please call (314) 268-4020.
Ear Disease & Cochlear ImplantsFor SoundSitting on his mother’s lap, Isaiah Little, 1, hears his first sound on Oct. 26. Saint LouisUniversity audiologist Sarah Borton, AuD., CCC-A, and Cardinal Glennonaudiologist Sarah Duncan, M.S., CCC-A, turned on Isaiah’s right implant and taughthis mother,Tabatha Little, how to use them.Isaiah Little, 1, is not afraid to smile at his audience thismorning. He flashes a wide grin at audiologists, SarahBorton, AuD., CCC-A, and Sarah Duncan, M.S.,CCC-A, as they offer him brightly colored blocks. Maybe heknows what’s coming — today Isaiah will hear his first sound.With the recent addition of Anita Jeyakumar, M.D., theDivision of Otolaryngology has launched the CochlearImplant Center. Dr. Jeyakumar leads an experienced team ofprofessionals and, with a wide range of resources, the Centeris able to address issues unique to each child with profoundhearing loss.The Center’s team includes:• Surgeons• Audiologists• Speech and languagepathologists• Nurses• Social worker• Implant coordinatorParents and children meet individually with these specialiststo determine the best possible care plan.When a child is diagnosed with profound hearing loss,options to address fundamental communication needsinclude:• Strictly oral/aural communication• American Sign Language (ASL)• Manually coded English (MCE)• Total Communication, which is a combination of signOn Nov. 11, Anthony Mikulec, M.D., places a cochlear implant behind two-yearoldBryson May’s right ear. The procedure was completed in three hours.and spoken/auditory communication• Auditory options include: hearing aids and cochlearimplantsAny child with profound hearing loss should seek a specialtyevaluation, Dr. Jeyakumar says. For some children withsevere-to-profound hearing loss, hearing aids may not provideadequate benefit, even after extensive auditory training.Cochlear implantation may be an option for a portion ofthese patients, and research shows a better outcome withimplants if children receive them earlier in life.The two-to-four-hour cochlear implant procedure is donebehind the ear. Dr. Jeyakumar - or fellow otolaryngologistAnthony Mikulec, M.D. - drills through the mastoid bone toaccess the cochlea where the electrodes are placed. The bodyof the device is secured under the skin on the skull, and theexternal piece attaches to this once the implant is activated.Factors that can affect the benefit of implants include:• Duration of deafness• Length of hearing aid use• Family and educational support“Pediatric otolaryngology allows me to make a realdifference in the lives of my patients, and often enables meto cure a problem,” Dr. Jeyakumar says. “The children wetreat are often victims of circumstance, so we feel we can beanother advocate for a child in need.”5
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Winter 2009/2010 - SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center

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