BackTable ENT & Allergy
For otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, and allergists.
Podcasts
- ENT & Allergy # 302Nov 10, 2026
Understanding Social Vulnerabilities in Pediatric Cancer Care
Sometimes the biggest obstacle between a child and cancer treatment is not the tumor. It is a three-hour drive, a parent's lost paycheck, or a medical vocabulary no one has translated for the family. On this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy series on pediatric head and neck cancer, Dr. Jill D'Souza talks with pediatric oncologist Dr. Dylan Graetz and otolaryngology resident Dr. David Fei-Zhang, who both study how social vulnerability and health disparities shape cancer care. They define social vulnerabilities, name the ones they see most often, from financial hardship to language and health literacy, and share what helps: combined multidisciplinary clinics, patient navigators, and screening that starts before the first visit and repeats at every turning point in care.
- ENT & Allergy # 301Nov 3, 2026
Hearing Loss & Aural Rehab in Children with Cancer
After months of chemotherapy, some children arrive in the clinic depressed and unable to hear their families, and after a cochlear implant, as Dr. Daniela Carvalho puts it, “you see a smile on their face again.” On this episode of the BackTable Creator Weekend™ series on pediatric head and neck cancer, host Dr. Anthony Sheyn welcomes pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Daniela Carvalho and audiologist Dr. Julie Silva to discuss hearing loss and aural rehabilitation in children with cancer. They cover baseline and surveillance testing during ototoxic chemotherapy, how cisplatin, carboplatin, and cranial radiation shape the monitoring schedule, where sodium thiosulfate fits, and how extended high-frequency testing and otoacoustic emissions can catch changes before the standard audiogram does.
- ENT & Allergy # 300Oct 27, 2026
Surgical Management of Pediatric Invasive Fungal Sinusitis
What once meant a 3:00 AM trip to the operating room is now a planned daytime case: with antifungal pretreatment and a standardized protocol, one pediatric team in Memphis estimates survival of about 94 percent over 15 years for children with cancer and invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS), compared with published mortality estimates ranging from 20 to 80 percent. On this episode of the BackTable Creator Weekend™ series on pediatric head and neck cancer, host Dr. Javan Nation welcomes Dr. Rob Tuliszewski and Dr. Anthony Sheyn, pediatric otolaryngologists at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, to walk through the surgical management of invasive fungal sinusitis in children with cancer. They discuss pretransplant ENT screening, the inpatient consult, what early disease looks like on endoscopy, how antifungal pretreatment changes the urgency of surgery, and how they approach debridement in the operating room.
- ENT & Allergy # 299Oct 20, 2026
Multidisciplinary Management of Pediatric Invasive Fungal Sinusitis
When a child with cancer develops invasive fungal sinusitis, how do you balance urgent surgery, antifungal therapy, and the wait for neutrophil recovery? On this episode of the BackTable Creator Weekend™ series on pediatric head and neck cancer, host Dr. Rob Tuliszewski welcomes Dr. Dennis Kuo, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, and Dr. Leidy Tovar Padua, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist, both at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and UC San Diego, to walk through pediatric invasive fungal sinusitis from first suspicion to recovery. They discuss who is at highest risk, the fever and neutropenia workup, imaging and plasma next-generation sequencing, how urgently to call ENT, and antifungal prophylaxis.
- ENT & Allergy # 298Oct 15, 2026
Optimizing CRS Outcomes with Posterior Nasal Nerve Ablation
Claims data suggest roughly one in three patients return after sinus surgery with persistent symptoms, and for many of them the complaint is drainage. On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, host Dr. Ashley Agan welcomes Dr. Chris Davis, a comprehensive otolaryngologist in Birmingham, Alabama, whose practice is largely rhinology, to make the case that the persistent drainage after a technically perfect sinus surgery is a treatable problem rather than an acceptable residual. They discuss the anatomy and neuroimmune function of the posterior nasal nerve, how ablation may affect symptom scores and local inflammation, and the stepwise approach to patient selection and operative technique.
- ENT & Allergy # 297Oct 13, 2026
Comprehensive Sleep Apnea Management in Children
Why does a snoring child so often need more than one specialty to get better? On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, host Dr. Ashley Agan welcomes Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, a triple board certified sleep medicine physician and founder of a boutique sleep practice in Horsham, Pennsylvania, to map the multidisciplinary pediatric sleep team. They cover in-lab polysomnography and its access bottleneck, the evidence for home sleep apnea testing in children, myofunctional therapy, the rise of airway informed pediatric dentistry, mouth taping, comorbid insomnia, restless sleep, and the role of weight in persistent disease.
- ENT & Allergy # 296Oct 6, 2026
Microtia Reconstruction with Rib Cartilage Explained
How do you guide families through the complex journey of microtia repair from infancy to reconstruction? On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, host Dr. Jason Qian welcomes Dr. Sean Evans, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Emory University and pediatric otolaryngologist at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, to discuss autologous rib cartilage auricular reconstruction. They discuss referral pathways, early hearing management, how to counsel families across all reconstruction options, and the grading and staging vocabulary that can trip up trainees.
- ENT & Allergy # 295Sep 29, 2026
Pediatric Cancer: Managing Dysphonia, Dysphagia & Airway
When a child's cancer treatment threatens a child’s ability to speak, eat, or breath, how do leading care teams decide what to address first? On this episode of BackTable ENT, host Dr. Gopi Shah welcomes Dr. Anthony Sheyn, pediatric otolaryngologist at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and St. Jude, and Amber Bonner, MS, CCC-SLP, acute care speech-language pathologist at Le Bonheur, to explore how a multidisciplinary team navigates the most challenging functional decisions in pediatric head and neck oncology.
- ENT & Allergy # 294Sep 25, 2026
Role of APPs in Pediatric Head & Neck Cancer
Behind every complex pediatric cancer patient is a care team, and advanced practice providers are the key to keeping every moving piece connected. On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, host Dr. Sara Helmig welcomes St. Jude APPs Sara Meehan (pediatric solid tumor oncology nurse practitioner) and Megan Murphy (ENT family nurse practitioner) to discuss the critical role APPs play across the full continuum of care. They walk through clinical responsibilities from pre-op to follow-up, the logistics of organizing multidisciplinary tumor boards, and the importance of care coordination across surgery, oncology, endocrinology, rehab, nutrition, and beyond.
- ENT & Allergy # 293Sep 22, 2026
Innovations in Pediatric Head & Neck Oncology Care
Treating pediatric head and neck cancer means thinking far beyond the initial diagnosis to ensure healthy growth, function, and future quality of life. For Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, BackTable ENT & Allergy spotlights the unique challenges and innovations in caring for children with head and neck cancer. Host Dr. Gopi Shah is joined by Dr. Anthony Sheyn, leader of the head and neck cancer program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Dr. Sara Helmig, pediatric oncologist at St. Jude, to discuss how multidisciplinary teams, advanced diagnostics, and family-centered care are reshaping outcomes for young patients.
- ENT & Allergy # 292Sep 15, 2026
Workforce Development in Otolaryngology: Challenges & Strategies
How is the “arms race” for research and academic credentials reshaping the ENT workforce and residency process? On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, Dr. Ashley Agan sits down with Dr. Al Merati and Dr. Mark Whipple from the University of Washington to discuss the pressures ENT residency applicants face, the impact on specialty equity and rural access, and the challenges programs encounter in selecting the next generation of otolaryngologists. They explore survey data showing up to two-thirds of applicants feel compelled to present an “academic” persona, and why this trend may erode unity, transparency, and opportunities across the field.
- ENT & Allergy # 291Sep 8, 2026
Integrating GLP-1s in Obesity & OSA Management
Which patients with obstructive sleep apnea are candidates for a GLP-1, and how do you start, escalate, and monitor one safely? On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, host Dr. Gopi Shah is joined by obesity medicine specialist Dr. Shanail Berry and sleep specialist Dr. John Carter to discuss the practical questions that arise when adding GLP-1 and GLP/GIP therapies in OSA management. They discuss drug mechanisms and formulations, patient selection, screening and referral, management of side effects and contraindications, adherence strategies, perioperative considerations, and nutritional issues.
- ENT & Allergy # 290Sep 1, 2026
Managing Sjogren's in ENT & Allergy Clinics
With no FDA-approved therapies for Sjögren’s disease, how can ENTs and allergists provide effective care and keep up with emerging treatments? On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, Dr. Basil Kahwash interviews Dr. Kara Wada, a Columbus-based allergist, immunologist, and lifestyle medicine physician, about her personal and clinical experience with Sjögren’s disease. They discuss the major gaps in current treatment, the evolving role of otolaryngologists and allergists in multidisciplinary care, and the new therapies on the horizon.
- ENT & Allergy # 289Aug 25, 2026
Pharmacist Impact on Asthma & COPD Care
What if your pharmacist could help optimize a patient’s asthma treatment before their next clinic visit? On this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Basil Kahwash welcomes clinical pharmacist Dr. Joelle Ayoub to discuss how ambulatory care pharmacists can partner with ENT and allergy clinics to optimize asthma management. Dr. Ayoub shares her experience working in a family medicine clinic, collaborating with providers through referrals, reviewing medications, and providing direct patient education on inhaler use and disease management.
- ENT & Allergy # 288Aug 18, 2026
AERD: Diagnosis & Treatment Strategies
Aspirin or biologics? How do you choose the right treatment for AERD? On this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Basil Kahwash interviews Dr. Andrew White, Director of the AERD Clinic at Scripps Clinic, to discuss the diagnosis and management of this often underrecognized condition. They cover practical strategies for identifying AERD, the importance of a detailed NSAID history, and how treatment decisions are shaped by patient goals and disease severity.
- ENT & Allergy # 287Aug 11, 2026
Unified Airway: Unified Biology, Unified Inflammation
Can viewing the airway as one connected system change the future of respiratory care and improve patient outcomes? On this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, pulmonary and critical care medicine physician, joins Dr. Basil Kahwash to discuss the unified airway hypothesis and its implications for clinical care. They explore how upper and lower airway inflammation are closely linked, and why multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for treating the whole patient.
- ENT & Allergy # 286Aug 4, 2026
What's The Big Deal With This BackTable App?
BackTable is moving beyond the traditional podcast experience and into a platform built specifically for clinicians. On this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, hosts Drs. Gopi Shah and Ashley Agan welcome Dr. Aaron Fritts, interventional radiologist and BackTable CEO and Co-Founder, to discuss the history and future of BackTable, and what listeners can look forward to on the new BackTable App.
- ENT & Allergy # 285Jul 28, 2026
Post-Operative Care & Complications in Coblation Intracapsular Tonsillectomy in Children
Most surgeons trained learning extracapsular tonsillectomies. What does the evidence say about intracapsular tonsillectomies? Two pediatric otolaryngologists explain why they made the switch and never looked back. On this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, hosts Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah sit down with pediatric otolaryngologists Dr. Stephen Chorney from UT Southwestern and Children's Health Dallas and Dr. Kevin Huoh from Children's of Orange County to examine post-operative complications after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, with a focus on coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy.
- ENT & Allergy # 284Jul 23, 2026
Optimizing Nasal Airway for CPAP Compliance
Is nasal obstruction the overlooked culprit behind CPAP intolerance? On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, Dr. Gopi Shah interviews Dr. Atul Malhotra and Dr. Michael Hutz to examine the critical but often underappreciated role of the nose in obstructive sleep apnea management. They discuss how nasal obstruction can undermine CPAP adherence, why relying solely on AHI may miss key issues, and how identifying the true cause of intolerance can lead to more personalized and effective therapy.
- ENT & Allergy # 283Jul 21, 2026
Streamlining Surgery: The Future of the OR
What if the next major advance in ENT surgery isn’t a new instrument, but a better-integrated operating room? In this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Cleveland Clinic rhinologist and skull base surgeon Dr. Raj Sindwani joins Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan to discuss how reducing cognitive load, improving workflows, and creating a more efficient OR environment can enhance the surgical experience.
- ENT & Allergy # 282Jul 14, 2026
Awake Cochlear Implantation: An Expert Guide
Have you considered performing a cochlear implant while your patient is awake? In this episode of the Backtable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Walter Kutz and Dr. Brandon Isaacson sit down with Dr. Sarah Mowry to explore her protocol for cochlear implants under local anesthesia, an approach especially relevant for older adults concerned about the cognitive risks of general anesthesia. Dr. Mowry shares her criteria for patient selection, preoperative counseling strategies, and how she adapts the OR setup to maximize comfort and communication during awake surgery.
- ENT & Allergy # 281Jul 7, 2026
Expert Insight on Congenital CMV & Pediatric Hearing Loss
Did you know that congenital CMV-related hearing loss can develop several years after birth? On the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Jeff Hyzer interview pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Albert Park about the latest evidence on congenital CMV and its role in pediatric sensorineural hearing loss. The discussion covers diagnosis, risk factors, screening protocols, testing strategies, antiviral treatment, genetic workup, long-term surveillance, and future directions for early detection and prevention.
- ENT & Allergy # 280Jun 30, 2026
Leadership Through Resiliency & Mentorship
Every leader has a story. The experiences, mentors, and moments along the way shape not only who we become, but how we lead. In this episode of BackTable ENT and Allergy, Drs. Ashley Agan and Gopi Shah interview internationally renowned rhinologist Dr. Troy Woodard about his leadership journey and the lessons learned along the way. Together, they explore how leadership is about actions rather than titles, the value of national involvement, and the importance of embracing change and personal growth throughout a career.
- ENT & Allergy # 279Jun 23, 2026
Collaborative Care in Chronic Sinusitis & Allergies
When should recurrent sinus infections trigger an allergy or immune workup? In this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Karen Kaufman of Kaufman Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology in Vienna, Virginia, sits down with Dr. Ashley Agan to discuss chronic sinusitis evaluation, allergy testing, immunotherapy, immune deficiency screening, and building a private practice.