Research Faculty

Reza Rahbar, DMD, MD

 

Department Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement
Hospital Title
Associate Otolaryngologist-in-Chief
Director, Center for Aero-Digestive Disorders
Co-Director, Center for Head, Neck and Skullbase Tumors
Academic Title Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School
Phone 617-355-6460
Fax 617-730-0337
Email Reza Rahbar
Location
300 Longwood Ave.
Lo-367
Boston, MA  02115

Research Overview 

Dr. Rahbar has three main areas of research: Aero-digestive disorders, Minimally invasive endoscopic airway surgery, and pediatric head and neck tumors. He is the Principal Investigator and/or Co-Investigator for multiple investigational studies of pediatric aero-digestive tract disorders which emphasize novel and/or minimally invasive approaches to treatment. A major research theme has been characterizing the role of anti-scar formation and anti-angiogenic therapy in the prevention and treatment of upper aero-digestive tract disease. His work has included studying of the application of Mitomycin as adjuvant treatment for airway stenosis, and the role of angiogenic growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors in both recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and airway stenosis. He has established one of the largest pediatric head and neck tumor databases. Investigative work involving this database has led to a deeper understanding of these diseases and the promulgation of guidelines and protocols for their clinical management.

About Reza Rahbar 

Dr. Rahbar studied medicine Tufts University School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency. He then did a fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology through Harvard Medical School at Children's Hospital Boston. He now serves as the Associate Chief of the Department of Otolaryngology,  Director of the Center for Aero-Digestive Disorders, Co-Director of the Center for Head, Neck and Skull Base Surgery and the Director of the Pediatric Otolaryngology Education and Fellowship Program. In addition to being responsible for the organization and supervision of clinical and educational programs for 4 fellows per year, he teaches medical students and residents in ambulatory and operating room settings, and mentors junior investigators from the US and abroad. His research and clinical work has resulted in national and international recognition, and has been applied in fields beyond otolaryngology.

Key Publications 

  

Research Investigations (New Data)

 

 

 

 
  1. Woo P, Rahbar R, Wang Z. Fat implantation into the Reinke’s space: A histological and stroboscopic study in the canine.  Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1999; 108: 738-44.
  2. Rahbar R, Valdez TA, Shapshay SM. Preliminary results of intraoperative Mitomycin C in the treatment and prevention of glottic and subglottic stenosis.  Journal of Voice. 2000; 14: 282-286.
  3. Rahbar R, Shapshay MS, Healy GB. Mitomycin: effects on laryngeal and tracheal stenosis; benefits and complications. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2001; 110:1-6.
  4. Rahbar R, Robson CD, Petersen RA, DiCanzio J, Rosbe KW,  Kenna MA, McGill TJ, Healy GB. Management of orbital subperiosteal abscess in children. Arch Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg 2001; 127: 281-286.  
  5. Rahbar R, Robson CD, Mulliken JB, Schwartz L, DiCanzio J,  Kenna MA, McGill TJ, Healy GB. Craniofacial, temporal bone, and audiologic abnormalities in the spectrum of hemifacial microsomia. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001; 127: 265-271.
  6. Rahbar R, Jones DT, Nuss RC, Roberson DW, Kenna MA, McGill TJ, Healy GB. The role of Mitomycin in the prevention and treatment of scar formation in the pediatric aerodigestive tract: friend or foe? Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 2002, 128:401-406.
  7. Chung JH, Cosenza MJ, Rahbar R, Metson RB.  Mitomycin-C for the prevention of adhesion  formation after endoscopic sinus surgery. A randomized, controlled study. Otolaryngology Head and Neck  Surgery 2002; 126: 468-474.
  8. Rahbar R, Shah P, Mulliken JB, Robston CD, Perez-Atayde AR, Proctor MR, Kenna MA, Scott MR, McGill TJ, Healy GB. The presentation and management of nasal dermoid: A thirty year experience. Archives of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 2003, 129:464 - 471.
  9. Rahbar R, Vargas SO, Miyamoto CR, Perez-Atayde AR. French CA, Robson CD, Licameli GR, Fletcher JA, Marcus KC, Grier HE, McGill TJ, Healy GB. The Role of Chromosomal Translocation (15:19) in the Carcinoma of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract in Children. Otolaryngology  Head and Neck Surgery, 2003;129:698-704.
  10. Rahbar R, Resto VA, Robson CD, Perez-Atayde AR, Goumnerova LC, McGill TJ, Healy GB. Nasal Glioma and Encephalocele: Diagnosis and Management. Laryngoscope, 2003; 113:2069-2077.
  11. Morof D. Levine D, Grable I, Barnewolt C, Estroff J, Fishman S, Rahbar R, Jenning R. Oropharyngeal Teratoma: Prenatal diagnosis and assessment using sonography, MRI, and CT with management by ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2004; 183 (2): 493-6.
  12. Rahbar R, Nicollas R, Rogers G, Triglia JM,  Garabedian N, McGill TJ, Healy GB. The Presentation and Management of Subglottic Hemangioma: Past, Present, Future. Laryngoscope 2004: 114; 1880-1891.
  13. Rahbar R, Litrovnik BG, Vargas SO, Robson CD, Nuss RC, Irons MB, McGill TJ, Healy GB. The biology and management of laryngeal neurofibroma. Archives of Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004: 130;1400-1406.
  14. Hartnick CJ, Rahbar R, Prasad V. Development and maturation of the pediatric human vocal fold lamina propria. Laryngoscope, 2005; 115: 4-15.
  15. Rahbar R, Vogel A, Myers LB, Bulich LA, Wilkins-Haug L, Benson CB, Grable IA, Levine D, Fishman SJ, Jennings, RW, Estroff JA, Barnewolt CE.. Fetal Surgery in Otolaryngology: A new era in diagnosis and management of fetal airway obstruction because of advances in prenatal imaging. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2005; 131;393-398.
  16. Rahbar R, Vargas SO, Folkman J, McGill TJ, Healy GB, Tan X, Brown LF. The role of vascular endothelial growth factor-A in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngo 2005;114:289-295.
  17. Evans AK, Rahbar R, Rogers GF, Mulliken JB, Volk M. Robin Sequence: A retrospective review of 115 patients Int J Ped Otolaryngol. 2006;70:973-980.
  18. Rahbar R, Grimmer F, Vargas S, Robson C, Grier H, Marcus K, Healy GB, McGill TJ. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of parotid gland in children: a ten year experience. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2006;132:375-380.
  19. Rahbar R,  Rouillon I, Roger G, Lin A, Nuss RC, Denoyelle F, McGill TJ, Healy GB, Garabedian E. The Presentation and Management of Laryngeal Cleft: A Ten Year Experience. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2006, 132: 1335-1341.
  20. Grimmer F, Burrows P, Mulliken J, Rahbar R. Radiofrequency excision of microcystic lymphatic malformation of oral cavity. Archives of Otolaryngo Head & Neck Surg, 2006, 132:1251-6.
  21. Rahbar R, Ferrari LR, Borer JG, Peters GA. Robotic Surgery in the Pediatric Airway. Application and Safety. Archives of Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2007, 133: 46-50.
  22. Shah RK, Mora BN, Bacha A, Sena LM, Buonomo C,  Del-Nido P, Rahbar R. The presentation and management of vascular rings: An otolaryngology perspective. International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology, 2007, 71:57-62.
  23. Rahbar R, Vargas SO, Folkman J, McGill TJ, Healy GB, Tan X, Brown LF. The Role of VEGF in Airway Stenosis. Annals of Otology Rhinology and Laryngology. 2007, 116; 430-435.
  24. Rodriges K, Vargas S, Robson C, Perez-Atayda A, Grier H, Marcus K, McGill TJ, Healy GB, Rahbar R. Pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland in children. Int J of Pediat Otolaryngol, 2007, 71:1717-1723.
  25. Rahbar R, Yoon M, Huang S, Robson C, Vargas S, McGill T, Healy G. Lingual Thyroid in children: A rare clinical entity. Laryngoscope 2008, 118(7):1174-9
  26. Fennessy BG, Vargas SO, Silvera MV, Ohlms LA, McGill TJ, Healy GB, Rahbar R. Pediatric aneurismal bone cysts of the head and neck. Journal of Laryngology and Otology,  2009, 123:635-641.
  27. Rahbar R, Chen J, Rosen R, Simon D, Perez J, Bunomo C, Ferarri L, Katz E. Endoscopic repair of laryngeal cleft type I and type II: When and Why. Laryngoscope, 2009, 119: 1797-1802.
  28. Lin YC, Tassone RF, Jahng S, Zurakowski D, Rahbar R, Holzman RS, Sethna N. Acupuncture for the management of emergence agitation and pain after bilateral myringotomy tube insertion. Journal of Anesthesia, 2009;19:1096-101.
  29. Robson CD, Rahbar R, Vargas SO, Mack JW, Licameli G, Grier HE. Sinonasal and laryngeal carcinoma in children: correlation of imaging characteristics with clinicopathologic and cytogenetic features. Journal of Neuroradiology, 2010;31:257-61.
  30. Rudloe F, Harper M, Prabhu S, Rahbar R, Vanderveen D, Kimia A. Acute periorbital cellulitis; Who needs emergent imaging? Pediatric. 2010, 125:719-26.
  31. Kieran SM, Katz E, Rosen R, Khatwa U, Martin T, Rahbar R. The lipid laden macrophage index as a marker of aspiration in pediatric patients with laryngeal clefts.  International Jour of Pedi Otolaryngology 2010;74:743-6.
  32. Kieran SM, Robson CD, Nose V, Rahbar R. Forgut duplication cysts in the head and neck: presentation, diagnosis, management. Archives of Oto Head Neck Surgery, 2010; 136: 778-782.
  33. Benoit M, Silvera M, Jones D, McGill T, Rahbar R. Image guidance system for minimally invasive   sinus and skull base surgery in children.  International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology 2010; 73:1452-7.
  34. Reilly RK, Katz E, Misono AS, Khatwa U, Didas A, Huang L, Haver K, Rahbar R. Utilization of LLMI in evaluation of of aerodigestive disorder in children and adult. Laryngoscope, 2011;121:1055-9.
  35. Williams JL, Lee EY, Casey AM, Haver KE, buonomo C, Zurakowski D, Rahbar R. Chest radiographic and CT evaluation of lung abnormalities in pediatric patients with laryngeal cleft. Journal of Radiology, ppul-21487, 2011

 

 

Other Peer-Review Publications

 
  1. Hadlock TA, Ferraro N, Rahbar R. Acute mastoiditis with temperomandibular joint effusion. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 2001; 125:111-112
  2. Rosbe KW, Jones DT, Rahbar R, Lahiri T, Auerbach AD. Endoscopic sinus surgery in cystic fibrosis: Do patients benefit from surgery? International Journal of  Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2001; 61: 113-119.
  3. Rowley H, Perez-Atayde AR, Burrows PE, Rahbar R. Management of a giant lymphatic malformation of the tongue. Archives Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002; 128:190-194
  4. Rahbar R, Neault MW, Kenna MA. Congenital absence of the incus bilaterally without other otologic anomalies. Ear Nose Throat Journal. 2002; 81: 274-278
  5. Rahbar R, Rowley H, Perez-Atayde AR, McGill TJ, Healy GB. The presentation of lymphatic malformation of the cervicofacial region: Role of trauma. Annals Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 2002, 111:828-31
  6. Rahbar R, The presentation and Management of Upper Airway Obstruction: Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy. Seminars in Othodontics. 2004; 10(4):244-246
  7. Edwards PD,Rahbar R, Ferraro NF, Mulliken JB. Lymphatic malformation of the lingual base and oral floor. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005; 115:1906-1915
  8. Riedlinger WFR, Lack EE, Robson CD,Rahbar R, Nose V. Primary thyroid teratoma in children: A report of 11 cases with a proposal of criteria for their diagnosis. Am J Surg Pathol 2005; 29: 700-706.
  9. Gleason BC, Kleinman PK, Debelenko LV, Rahbar R, Gebhardt MD+C, Perez-Atayde AR, Novel karyotypes in giant-cell rich lesions of bone. Am J Surg Pathol 2007, 31: 926-932.
  10. Liang MG, Maccario S, Rahbar R, Kozakewich HPW, Mulliken JB. Glucose transporter-1 protein is immunohistochemically expressed in subglottic infantile hemangioma. British Journal of Dermatology. 2008., 158(4): 862-3.
  11. Fennessy BG, Rahbar R, Bunker N, Pigula F, Casta A. The needle and the damage done. Journal of Laryngology and Otology. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 2009;123:1396-1398.
  12. Faust RA, Rahbar R. Robotic Surgical Technique for Pediatric Laryngotracheal Reconstruction.  Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2008, 41 (5): 1045-51.39. Fennessy BG, Rahbar R, Bunker N, Pigula F, Casta A. The needle and the damage done.  Journal of Laryngology and Otology. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 2009; 123:1396-1398.
  13. Prabhu S. Zinkus T, Cheng A, Rahbar R. Clival Osteomyelitis resulting from spread of infection through fossa navicularis magna in a child. Pediatric Radiology, 2009; 39: 995-8.
  14. Prabhu S, Padwa B, Robson CD, Rahbar R. Dentigenous cyst associated with a displaced tooth in the maxillary sins: an unusual cause of recurrent sinusitis in an adolescent. Journal of Radiology, 2009;39:1102-4.
  15. Lin HW, O’Neill A, Rahbar R, Skinner ML. Ludwing’s angina following frenuloplasty in an adolescent.  International Journal of Pediatric ORL, 2009;73:1313-5.
  16. Merrell SC, Rahbar R, Alomari A, Padua HM, Vargas S,  Neufeld EJ, Dearden JL, Mulliken JB, Greene AD. Infantile myofibroma or lymphatic malformation: differential diagnosis of neonatal cystic cervicofacial lesions. J Craniofac Surg. 2010; 21:422-6.
  17. Lowry KC, Estroff JA, Rahbar R. The presentation and management of Fibromatosis  Coli. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2010, 89: E4-E8.
  18. Puri A, Rahbar R, Orbach D. Trigeminocardiac reflex in a child during Onyx embolization for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.  Journal of International Neuroradiology; 2011; 17:13-6.
  19. Puri AS, Rahbar R, Dearden J, Graham RJ, Lillehei C, Orbach DB. Stretched and Sheared Microcatheter Retained After Onyx Embolization of Infantile Myofibromatosis. Interventional Neuroradiology, 2011, IN-D-10-00140R1