BackTable ENT

BackTable

The BackTable ENT Podcast is a resource for otolaryngologists to learn tips, techniques, and practical advice on all things ear, nose, and throat. Tune in to the BackTable ENT Podcast every week for candid conversations about rhinology, laryngology, otology, and head and neck surgery.

  1. Ep. 272 Allergy Education on Social Media and Beyond: Challenges and Strategies with Dr. Zachary Rubin

    21 HR AGO

    Ep. 272 Allergy Education on Social Media and Beyond: Challenges and Strategies with Dr. Zachary Rubin

    From the clinic to the camera, discover how an allergist turned social media into a patient education powerhouse. On this week’s episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, allergist Dr. Zachary Rubin of Oak Brook Allergists joins host Dr. Basil Kahwash to discuss his path from fellowship training to becoming a widely followed social media educator and author of the New York Times bestselling book “All About Allergies”. He explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid spread of online medical misinformation inspired him to educate the public through social media, developing an authentic on-camera style and consistent brand that has expanded his reach far beyond the clinic. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction05:21 - Learning the Creator Playbook10:10 - Authenticity and Creating a Personal Brand16:51 - Writing for Patients and Clinicians20:41 - Balancing Clinic and Content Creation26:15 - How to Start Your Public Voice29:11 - Professional Boundaries and Handling Criticism Online36:34 - How Patients Following Your Content Impacts the Clinic43:08 - The Unexpected Doors Content Creation Can Open48:44 - Future of Public Health53:09 - Final Advice --- More about this episode The conversation explores strategies for communicating complex medical topics, such as using metaphors to improve public understanding, and the importance of professionalism, boundaries, and safety in the online space. Dr. Rubin offers advice on avoiding individualized medical advice, managing online harassment, and navigating the nonfiction publishing world. He also discusses the impact of advocacy and media engagement for both patients and healthcare professionals, showing how physicians can leverage media to make a difference well beyond their practice. --- Resources Dr. Zachary Rubinhttps://www.oakbrookallergists.com/our-team/zachary-e-rubin-md/ --- BackTable ENT & Allergy is the go-to podcast for otolaryngologists, allergists, and head and neck surgeons. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

    56 min
  2. 28 APR

    Ep. 271 The OR Surgical Tech in Pediatric ENT with Jose Flores

    Behind every smooth surgery is a team member you may not see in the spotlight—but without them, the operation doesn’t run. In this episode of the BackTable ENT podcast, Jose Flores, a surgical technologist at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego and ENT service coordinator, joins host Dr. Gopi Shah to discuss the importance of the surgical technologist’s role in the OR and how it directly impacts patient care. --- SYNPOSIS Jose discusses his journey from being a medical assistant to finding his calling in the operating room, specifically in ENT. They explore the critical yet often overlooked role of OR scrub techs, the necessity of proper preparation and organization, and the importance of good communication and teamwork within the surgical team. Jose also shares personal experiences and advice for both new surgical techs and medical students, emphasizing the rewarding nature of working in pediatric ENT. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 01:29 - Jose Flores’s Journey to Becoming a Surgical Tech05:41 - Daily Responsibilities and Preparation10:11 - Communication and Teamwork in the OR15:30 - Building Strong Surgical Tech Relationships18:51 - Advice for New Surgical Techs21:25 - The Role of Techs in Quality and Safety23:15 - Giving and Receiving Feedback27:02 - Fostering Respect and Recognition30:40 - Final Thoughts and Contact Information --- RESOURCES Jose Flores’s Story:https://vimeo.com/1096085041

    33 min
  3. 21 APR

    Ep. 270 Management of Sinonasal Tumors with Skull Base Involvement: Part 2 with Dr. Zara Patel, Dr. JP Almeida and Dr. Garret Choby

    Could that routine epistaxis actually be the first sign of a challenging skull base tumor? This week’s episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast is part two of the sinonasal tumor and skull base involvement discussion. Host Dr. Satyan Sreenath is joined again by Dr. Joao Paulo Almeida, Dr. Zara Patel, and Dr. Garret Choby for a case-based deep dive into the multidisciplinary management of complex sinonasal tumors. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 01:20 - Case 1: Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma05:03 - Considerations for Pre-Operative Embolization 08:10 - Disaster Scenario: High Volume Loss09:21 - Operative Approach18:10 - Post-Op Imaging Considerations21:00 - Case 2: Invasive Keratinizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma24:40 - Operative Approach vs. Neoadjuvant Treatment Strategies28:30 - Importance of Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy30:15 - Operative Approach32:37 - Lumbar Drain Considerations 40:35 - Closing Thoughts --- More about this episode The panel works through advanced cases presenting with epistaxis, using them to highlight key principles in evaluation, imaging, staging, and operative planning. They first discuss a 16-year-old male with a large juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma extending to the skull base and middle cranial fossa, focusing on vascular supply, preoperative embolization, surgical strategy near the carotid, and planning for intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative surveillance. They also emphasize the importance of thorough endoscopic evaluation and early referral to experienced centers. They then review a 72-year-old female with invasive, HPV-negative keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma involving the anterior cranial fossa and dura. The conversation addresses tumor board decision-making, neoadjuvant considerations, endoscopic craniofacial resection, reconstruction strategies, and management of delayed positive margins. It highlights how accurate histopathology and coordinated multidisciplinary care guide outcomes in these complex cases. --- Resources Joao Paulo Almeida, MD, PhDhttps://medicine.iu.edu/faculty/68351/almeida-joao-paulo Satyan B. Sreenath, MDhttps://medicine.iu.edu/faculty/60724/sreenath-satyan Zara M. Patel, MD https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/zara-patel Garret W. Choby, MDhttps://providers.upmc.com/provider/garret-w-choby/2592344 --- BackTable ENT & Allergy is the go-to podcast for otolaryngologists, allergists, and head and neck surgeons. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

    46 min
  4. 14 APR

    Ep. 269 Management of Sinonasal Tumors with Skull Base Involvement: Part 1 with Dr. Zara Patel, Dr. JP Almeida, & Dr. Garret Choby

    Pathology, anatomy, and staging: how do these three pillars come together to guide sinonasal tumor management? In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, host Dr. Satyan Sreenath is joined by Dr. Joao Paulo Almeida, Dr. Zara Patel, and Dr. Garret Choby to discuss a multidisciplinary approach to sinonasal tumors, emphasizing the triad of pathology, anatomy, and staging to guide treatment. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 02:04 - First Principles of Workup05:23 - Case 1: Maxillary Sinus Mass 06:23 - Imaging and Biopsy Strategy08:11 - Inverted Papilloma Pathology and Surgical Planning20:28 - Case 2: Unilateral Disease Red Flags24:34 - MRI Clues for Malignancy31:47 - Video Walkthrough of Endonasal Resection38:51 - Surveillance41:41 - Key Papers---More about this episode The panel reviews key workup considerations, including in-office biopsy and the use of CT and MRI to distinguish tumor from retained secretions and guide operative planning. They walk through two illustrative cases of inverted papilloma. The first involves a left maxillary sinus mass treated with an endoscopic medial maxillectomy using a Denker-type approach, with emphasis on complete attachment-site eradication. The second case highlights an elderly patient with frontal and anterior ethmoid disease abutting the orbit and skull base, requiring meticulous endoscopic technique, careful management of the anterior ethmoid artery, and thoughtful handling of bone and periorbita. The discussion also covers imaging features suggestive of malignant transformation, as well as emerging AI-based CT and MRI tools that show high accuracy in distinguishing benign inverted papillomas from those associated with squamous cell carcinoma. The episode concludes with postoperative surveillance strategies and key consensus and review publications. --- ResourcesJoao Paulo Almeida, MD, PhDhttps://medicine.iu.edu/faculty/68351/almeida-joao-paulo Satyan B. Sreenath, MDhttps://medicine.iu.edu/faculty/60724/sreenath-satyan Zara M. Patel, MD https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/zara-patel Garret W. Choby, MDhttps://providers.upmc.com/provider/garret-w-choby/2592344 --- BackTable ENT & Allergy is the go-to podcast for otolaryngologists, allergists, and head and neck surgeons. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app

    44 min
  5. 7 APR

    Ep. 268 Building a Skull Base Program in Private Practice with Dr. Kibwei McKinney

    What if you could build a skull base practice outside academia, without sacrificing complexity, income, or fulfillment? On this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, Dr. Kibwei McKinney from SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City joins guest host Dr. Dennis Tang to discuss building a rhinology and skull base surgery practice outside academia. --- Get the BackTable app https://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 01:30 - Introduction and Career04:55 - Private Practice vs. Academics10:38 - Defining Skull Based Surgery15:10 - Patient Pool and Logistics in Academics vs Private Practice19:03 - Marketing and Referral Sources24:58 - Case Management and the O.R. in Private Practice29:30 - Balanced Workload and Intentional Care32:10 - Billing and Coding38:55 - Lifestyle Benefits of Private Practice44:21 - Strategic Advice and Advantages or Disadvantages of Private Practice.47:38 - Common Misconceptions50:00 - Advice and Closing Thoughts --- More about this episode Dr. McKinney walks through his training journey, from dedicated research years to time in private-practice rhinology and a skull base fellowship, before ultimately starting his academic career in Oklahoma. He shares how shifting family priorities and the growing push for clinical productivity led him to step away from academia and into an employed private-practice model focused exclusively on rhinology and skull base surgery, without ER call. Along the way, he dives into what that transition really looks like, including the autonomy he’s gained, the role of marketing support, how he builds referrals through direct communication, and the operational differences of working without residents. He also touches on postoperative care structure, billing and coding, insurance challenges, and the impact on his overall lifestyle. Check out this episode to hear Dr. McKinney’s perspective on why skull base surgery in private practice can be not only technically feasible and financially viable, but also emotionally sustainable, creating space for truly patient-centered care and the ability to pursue the work with genuine passion. --- Resources Dr. Kibwei McKinney https://www.getcare.ssmhealth.com/find-a-doctor/doctor-details/kibwei-mckinney-md

    53 min
  6. 31 MAR

    Ep. 267 Clinical Hypnotherapy Applications in ENT Medicine with Dr. Sonia Gupte

    Why do some patients recover faster, cope better, and experience less pain despite similar diagnoses? The answer may lie not in the pathology, but in perception. In this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Sonia Gupte, a former family physician and board-certified clinical hypnotherapist, joins host Dr. Gopi Shah to explore how hypnotherapy works and where it fits in modern medical care. --- Get the BackTable app https://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction05:13 - Understanding the Subconscious Mind09:29 - The Hypnotherapy Process15:43 - Patient Selection18:58 - Anxiety, Stress, and Pain Perception23:54 - Use in General ENT Population28:14 - When to Refer31:51 - History of Hypnotherapy in Cancer Care32:56 - Awareness, Access, and Billing Insurance38:59 - Setting Expectations, Visits Required, and Smoking Cessation43:42 - Virtual Visits and Possible Limitations46:57 - Techniques for ENTs49:14 - Closing Thoughts --- More about this episode Dr. Gupte shares how her mother’s cancer journey led her to recognize gaps in addressing the mind-body connection and ultimately transition into hypnotherapy. She clarifies the difference between hypnosis and clinical hypnotherapy, emphasizing the latter as a collaborative, goal-oriented process aimed at uncovering the “why” behind patient patterns and reshaping perceptions. The conversation covers the structure of a hypnotherapy session, relevant brainwave states, patient selection and contraindications, and clinical applications ranging from oncology support to ENT-related quality-of-life concerns. They also discuss use in pediatric patients, expected timelines for improvement, virtual care delivery, and practical communication strategies clinicians can use to reduce patient anxiety in everyday practice. --- Resources Dr. Sonia Gupte https://enso-nia.com/about-sonia/

    52 min
  7. 24 MAR

    Ep. 266 Clinical Steps for Efficient Anaphylaxis Diagnosis & Treatment with Dr. Payel Gupta

    Anaphylaxis doesn’t always look like hives and swelling. In up to 20% of cases, the skin is completely clear, making the diagnosis easy to miss. On this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Basil Kahwash speaks with Dr. Payel Gupta, allergist and immunologist at Mount Sinai in New York City, about how to recognize and manage anaphylaxis. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction02:02 - Defining Anaphylaxis and Key Signs04:09 - Anaphylaxis Versus Shock05:54 - Diagnostic Pitfalls12:43 - Epi First Epi Fast32:33 - ER Or Observe42:31 - Allergy Testing Limits47:16 - New Anaphylaxis Therapies51:34 - Public Awareness and Advocacy01:02:55 - Final Pearls and Wrap up --- More about this episode Dr. Gupta and Dr. Kahwash first define anaphylaxis and review common diagnostic pitfalls, including absent skin findings, overlap with asthma, atypical presentations, delayed reactions, and the effects of beta-blockers. Dr. Gupta emphasizes the importance of early treatment with intramuscular epinephrine. Antihistamines and steroids are discussed as adjunctive therapies and the episode reviews the risk and management of biphasic reactions. The conversation also covers optimal timing for tryptase testing, post-reaction counseling, evolving guidance on emergency department referral, and appropriate timing for allergy testing after a reaction. Dr. Gupta discusses emerging options such as intranasal epinephrine and the use of omalizumab to increase reaction thresholds in food allergy. The episode concludes with a discussion of public misconceptions around the term “allergy,” barriers to appropriate care, and Dr. Gupta’s advocacy and educational work. --- Resources Dr. Payel Gupta https://www.zocdoc.com/doctor/payel-gupta-md-facaai-571583

    1hr 5min
  8. 17 MAR

    Ep. 265 Pediatric Tympanoplasty: Butterfly Cartilage Technique with Dr. Sean Evans

    What makes butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty such an elegant solution for pediatric eardrum perforations? In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, Dr. Sean Evans of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta joins hosts Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah to discuss the evaluation and management of pediatric tympanic membrane perforations, with a focus on the butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty technique --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Evans describes his practice and reviews common etiologies of tympanic membrane perforations. He outlines his approach to the clinical workup and patient counseling, including the role of audiograms, careful otoscopic examination, and selective use of laboratory studies and CT imaging in patients with chronic otorrhea or suspected cholesteatoma. The discussion also addresses timing and age considerations for repair, as well as strategies for managing chronic drainage. Dr. Evans also discusses his evaluation of patient selection criteria and operative technique for butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty. He shares practical insights on surgical steps, technical pearls and pitfalls, postoperative care, recovery expectations, potential risks, coding considerations, and approaches to revision surgery. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 02:35 - When to Repair Perforations 10:36 - Physical Exam, Audiogram, & Treatment Decisions18:06 - Butterfly Graft Candidacy20:42 - Step by Step Butterfly Technique25:52 - Butterfly Technique Pearls and Pitfalls29:16 - Example Case Video and Indications35:12 - Restrictions, Pain, & Recovery37:10 - Risk Factors and Complications40:09 - Revision Timing and Failure Modes42:37 - Final Pearls and Wrap Up --- RESOURCES Dr. Sean Evans https://med.emory.edu/directory/profile/?u=SSEVAN3

    45 min

About

The BackTable ENT Podcast is a resource for otolaryngologists to learn tips, techniques, and practical advice on all things ear, nose, and throat. Tune in to the BackTable ENT Podcast every week for candid conversations about rhinology, laryngology, otology, and head and neck surgery.

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