About Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Expertise I am a board-certified otolaryngologist with additional subspecialty training in otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery. This is the subspecialty of otolaryngology that involves the ear, hearing, balance organs, the facial nerve, and surgery of the skull base including surgery for acoustic neuroma and other benign and malignant tumors of the base of the skull.
Experience Medical school, residency in otolaryngology, fellowship in otology/neurotology/skull base surgery
Organizations American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery North American Skull Base Society American Neurotology Society
Publications Laryngoscope Otology and Neurotology
Education/Credentials MD Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 2001 Otolaryngology Residency, University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology, Iowa City, IA Otology/Neurotology Fellowship, House Ear Clinic, Los Angeles, CA
Expert: Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Date: 1/29/2008 Subject: tonsillectomy alternatives
Question I have cryptic hypertrophic tonsils that exude daily a whitish fluid or solid mass (tonsillolith), resulting in chronic malodor. I have read extensively about the following: cryptolysis; tonsillotomy using a CO2 laser, argon-supported needle, or microdebrider; partial ablation via radio-frequency. I have not been able to find an otolaryngologist who performs any of these procedures. Do you have an opinion about any of them, and do you know how I can find a physician with expertise at one of these methods?
Answer There are many, many ways of performing a tonsillectomy. If you have your heart set on a particular technique, you may have to call around to see which ENTs offer that technique. I have found cautery tonsillectomy to be very effective when used with minimal wattage, with minimal pain as a result.
