Nicolas Y. BuSaba, M.D., FACS

Research Area Affiliations

• Sinus and Nasal Disorders
  

Research Summary

Dr. BuSaba's research interests are in the fields of rhinology and paranasal sinus disorders, as well as sleep-disordered breathing. He has authored and co-authored several papers that focus on improving our understanding of the pathophysiology, genetics, clinical presentation and medical and surgical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis and paranasal sinus mucocele. His research also focuses on outcomes of OSA surgery, outcomes of major head and neck surgery and length of hospital stay following such surgeries. He has presented the results of the above research at regional and national scientific meetings and has published in peer-review medical journals.

Through his investigations, Dr. BuSaba determined that Connexin gene mutations do not seem to play a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis. His research also elucidated the role of nasal inflammation (rhinitis) in the pathogenesis of sinusitis as well as the efficacy of Monteleukast in the treatment of rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. In addition, he has studied the impact of a patient’s age and gender on the clinical presentation of rhinosinusitis and the surgical outcome on these patients. He also collaborated with colleagues in the Sinus Center on developing a management algorithm to treat patients who present with epistaxis.

Dr. BuSaba's current research includes: a) The accuracy of sinus CT versus physical examination in predicting the severity of nasal septum deviation, b) volumetric analysis of silent sinus syndrome / atelactatic maxillary sinus, and c) role of nasal surgery in the management of patients who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing (snoring and / or sleep apnea).

Select Publications

The Impact of a Patient's Age on the Clinical Presentation of Inflammatory Paranasal Sinus Disease. BuSaba NY. Amer J Otolaryngol- Head and Neck Surg Med 2013; 34:449-53.

Clinical Assessment is an Accurate Predictor of Which Patients Will Need Septoplasty. Sedaghat AR, BuSaba NY, Cunningham MJ, Kieff DA. Laryngoscope. 2013; 123:48-52.

Diagnostic Characteristics of Sinonasal Organizing Hematomas: Avoiding Misdiagnosis. Wu A, Ting J, Borgie R, BuSaba NY, Gray ST, Sadow P, Juliano A, Holbrook Eric. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2013; 3:598-602.

Outcomes Analysis in Epistaxis Management: Development of a Therapeutic Algorithm. Shargorodsky J, Bleier B, Holbrook E, Cohen JM, BuSaba NY, Metson R, Gray ST. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2013;149:390-8

Connexin 32 and 43 Mutations: Do They Play a Role in Chronic Rhinosinusitis? Sedaghat AR, BuSaba NY, Cunningham MJ. Amer  J Otolaryngol – Head and Neck Surg Med 2014; 35:33-6

View a complete list of publications on pubmed.gov »

Education

1981: B.Sc. Biology-Chemistry, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
1985: M.D., School of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Postgraduate Training

1989 - 1990: Clinical/Research Fellowship in General Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School
1990 - 1991: Internship, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School
1991 - 1995: Resident, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School

Professional Memberships

1991-1997: Massachusetts Medical Society
1996-present: American Board of Otolaryngology
1996-present: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
1996-present: Association of Research in Otolaryngology
1996-present: Association of Veterans’ Administration Otolaryngologists
1997-present: Society of Veterans’ Administration Surgeons
1997-present: New England Otolaryngology Society
1998-present: Massachusetts Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
1999-present: American Rhinologic Society (Chair, International Committee 2011-present)
2000-present: American Broncho-Esophalogical Association
2004-present: American College of Surgeons
2004-present: American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
2007-present: Fellow, Triologic Society
2011-present: Fellow, American Rhinologic Society

Honors

1985: M.D. with Distinction, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
1992-1995: Resident Travel Award, Association of Research in Otolaryngology
2002: Daiichi Clinical Scholars Program in Evidence Based Medical Research
2006: Honor Award, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.
2009: First Prize; Best Poster presentation at the Eastern Section Meeting of the Triologic Society, Boston, MA. The title of the poster presentation: “Reformation of conchae bullosae following treatment with crushing technique: implications for balloon sinuplasty”.

Teaching

2000: Co-Director. Radiofrequency In-Service Course for Otolaryngology staff, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
2012 - present: Coordinator, Rhinology Journal Club, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
2012 - present: Coordinator, Special Problems in Rhinology Conference, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.