Conditions Treated
Dr. Nassiri treats conditions of the ear and lateral skull base in adults and children. Each page below explains what the condition is, how it is diagnosed, and what the treatment options involve.
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Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma)
Acoustic neuroma · Vestibular nerve schwannoma · Cerebellopontine angle tumor
A vestibular schwannoma is a benign tumor that grows on the balance nerve between the inner ear and the brain. Most grow slowly, and the right management depends on the size of the tumor, your hearing, your symptoms, and your goals.
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Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss · Conductive hearing loss · Sudden hearing loss
Hearing loss has many causes, and the right treatment depends on which part of the hearing pathway is affected. A neurotologic evaluation identifies the cause, rules out conditions that need urgent attention, and matches you to the rehabilitation options that will actually help.
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Cholesteatoma
Chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma · Keratoma
A cholesteatoma is a growth of skin in the middle ear or mastoid where skin does not belong. It is not cancer, but it enlarges over time and erodes the structures around it, so it is treated surgically rather than with medication.
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Eardrum Perforation
Perforated eardrum · Tympanic membrane perforation · Ruptured eardrum
A perforated eardrum is a hole in the tympanic membrane, the thin tissue separating the ear canal from the middle ear. Many perforations heal on their own; those that do not can usually be repaired surgically with a high rate of success.
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Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak
CSF leak · Spinal fluid leak · CSF otorrhea
A cerebrospinal fluid leak occurs when the membrane containing the fluid around the brain is breached, allowing fluid to escape through the ear or nose. Because an open pathway to the brain carries a risk of meningitis, CSF leaks are treated rather than observed.
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Paraganglioma (Glomus Tumor)
Glomus tumor · Glomus tympanicum · Glomus jugulare · Jugulotympanic paraganglioma
Paragangliomas of the temporal bone, historically called glomus tumors, are rare, highly vascular growths that arise near the middle ear and jugular bulb. They are usually benign and slow growing, and management is tailored to tumor size, location, symptoms, and cranial nerve function.
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Temporal Bone & Lateral Skull Base Tumors
Lateral skull base tumor · Ear canal cancer · Facial nerve schwannoma · Endolymphatic sac tumor
The temporal bone houses the hearing and balance organs, the facial nerve, and major blood vessels, and a range of tumors can arise there. Because these structures sit within millimeters of one another, treatment planning is highly individualized and usually multidisciplinary.
See also: Procedures & Hearing Devices
Schedule an appointment
To discuss your specific situation with Dr. Nassiri, call the clinic or visit her UCHealth provider page for availability.
UCHealth Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic – Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, Aurora, Colorado