Stephen P. Cass, MD, MPH

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Dr Cass is Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Colorado Health Science Center. He is an otologist and is fellowship trained in Neurotology, specializing in disorders of the ear, hearing and balance. Dr. Cass has been working with deaf and hard of hearing individuals since 1988.  Dr Cass is experienced with use of all three commercially available cochlear implants in both adults and children and has successfully performed over 250 implant surgeries. 

Dr Cass has co-authored the American Academy of Otolaryngology Instructional manual for cochlear implant surgery and is a member of a national cochlear implant surgical advisory board.

Clinical Interests

Ear, hearing, and vertigo disorders in children and adults, surgery for otosclerosis, cochlear implants, acoustic neuroma, and cranial base surgery and facial nerve disorders.

Subspecialty Training: Otology and Neurotology.

Research Focus

  • Educating and training surgeons in cochlear implants, tympanoplasty, and middle ear reconstruction
  • Vertigo and Balance disorders
  • Bone anchored hearing implants
  • Stereotactic radiosurgery for Acoustic Neuroma

Personal

Stephen loves the outdoors in all seasons.  He spends his outdoor free time hiking, skiing, and golfing, and his indoor free time cooking and reading.  Originally from Michigan, Stephen spent his early career at the University of Pittsburgh and was recruited to the University of Colorado in 1999.  He has an awesome wife and 4 terrific kids.

Clinical Office:

1635 N. Aurora Court, 6th Floor
Aurora, CO 80045

Academic Office:

12631 E. 17th Avenue, B205
Aurora, CO 80045

Hospital Affiliations:

  • University of Colorado Hospital
  • The Children's Hospital
  • Denver Veteran's Administration Medical Center
  • Denver Health

Appointments:  720-848-2820

Education

Undergraduate:

B.S. Experimental Psychology from University of Michigan, 1979

Graduate:

M.P.H Health Planning and Administration from University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1983

M.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine, 1983

Post Graduate:

Internship, General Surgery from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, 1984

Residency, Otolaryngology at Wayne State University, 1983-1988

Fellow, Otology-Neurotology at Michigan Ear Institute, 1988-1990

Certification:

Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology, 1988

Neurotolog, American Board of Otolaryngology, 2004

Professional Memberships:

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

Association for Research in Otolaryngology

Prosper Meniere Society

American Neurotology Society

American Otologic Society

Listed In:

America's Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Guide, 1999-Present

Best Doctors in America, 1996-Present

Awards:

Distinction Honors, University of Michigan

Major, 207th Evacuation Hospital, Michigan Army National Guard

Distinguished Service Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Norwich Eaton Pharmaceutical Research Award

Outstanding Resident Educator Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Neuroscience Program Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Oakland Hospital's Education Program Research Day, Second Place Award

Providence Hospital Research Day, First Place Award

Nicholas Torok Vestibular Research Award, American Neurotologic Society

Professor of  the Year, University of Colorado Department of Otolaryngology, 2000 and 2009

Publications

Books:

Furman JM, Cass SP, Whitney S.  Vestibular  Disorders:  A Case-Study Approach.   Third Edition.  Oxford University Press , NY, NY, 2010.

Furman JM, Cass SP.  Vestibular  Disorders:  A Case-Study Approach.   Second Edition.  Oxford University Press , NY, NY, 2003

Furman JM, Cass SP.  Balance Disorders:  A Case-Study Approach.  F.A. Davis, Philadelphia, PA, April, 1996.

Operative Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  Myers EN, Carrau RL, Cass SP, Eibling DE, Hirsch BE, Janecka IP, Johnson JT, Kamerer DB, Snyderman CH (eds.), W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1997.

Journal Articles:

Cass SP, Davidson P, Goshgarian HG:  Survival of the vestibular nerve after labyrinthectomy in the cat.  Otolaryngol -Head & Neck Surg  101(4):459-466, 1989.

Cass SP, Goshgarian HG:  Increased glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in astrocytes within the lateral vestibular nucleus of the cat following labyrinthectomy and vestibular neurectomy. Ann Otol, Rhinol and Laryngol  99(3):221-227, 1990.

Bhansali SA, Cass SP, Benitez JT, Mathog RH:  Vestibular effects of chronic perilymph fistula in the Cat: Preliminary Report. Otolaryngol - Head & Neck Surg.  102(6):701-708, 1990.

Cass SP, Goshgarian HG:  Vestibular compensation after labyrinthectomy and vestibular neurectomy in cats. Otolaryngol - Head & Neck Surg  104(1):14-19, 1991.

Cass SP, Kartush JM, Graham MD:  Comparison of computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for the postoperative assessment of residual acoustic tumor.  Otolaryngol - Head and Neck Surg  104,(2):182-190, 1991.

Cass SP, Kartush JM, Graham MD:  Clinical assessment of postural stability following vestibular nerve section.  Laryngoscope 101(10):1056-1059, 1991.

Cass SP, Kartush JM, Graham MD:  Patterns of vestibular function following vestibular nerve section.  Laryngoscope 102(4):388-394, 1992.

Bassiouny M, Hirsch BE, Kelly RH, Kamerer DB, Cass SP:  BETA2 transferrin application in otology.  Am J Otol  13(6):552-555, 1992.

Weber PC, Cass, SP:  The clinical assessment of postural stability.  American Journal of Otology 14(6):566-569, November, 1993.

Iwai Y, Sekhar LN, Goel A, Cass SP:  Vein graft replacement of the distal vertebral artery.  ACTA Neurologic Acta Neurochi 120:81-87, 1993.

Skedros DG, Cass SP, Hirsch BE, Kelly RH:  Beta-2 transferrin assay in clinical management of cerebral spinal fluid and perilymphatic fluid leaks.  J of Otolaryngol 22(5):341-344, 1993.

Eibling DE, Janecka IP, Snyderman CH, Cass SP:  Meta-analysis of outcome in anterior skull base resection for squamous cell and undifferentiated carcinoma.  Skull Base Surgery 3(3):123-129, 1993.

Weber PC, Cass SP:  Neurotological manifestations of chiari 1 malformation.  Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 109:853-860, 1993.

Skedros DG, Cass SP, Hirsch BE, Kelly RH:  Sources of error in use of beta-2 transferrin analysis for diagnosing perilymphatic and cerebral spinal fluid leaks.  Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 109:861-864, 1993.

Hirsch BE, Cass SP, Sekhar LN, Wright DC:  Translabyrinthine approach to skull base tumors with hearing preservation.  The American Journal of Otology 14(6):533-544, November, 1993.

Gold S, Kamerer DB, Hirsch BE, Cass SP.  Hypercoagulability in otologic patients.  American Journal of Otolaryngology 14(5):327-331, 1993.

Monsell EM, Cass SP, Rybak LP.  Therapeutic use of aminoglycoside Meniere's Disease.  In Otolaryngologic Clinics of North American, 26(5):737-746, October, 1993.

Cass SP, Sekhar LN, Pomeranz S, Hirsch BE, Snyderman CH:  Excision of petroclival tumors by a total petrosectomy approach.  American Journal of Otology 15(4):474-484, 1994.

Myerhoff WL, Cass SP, Schwaber MK, Sculerati N, Slattery WH.  Progressive sensorineural hearing loss in children.  Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgeons 110(6):569-579, June, 1994.

Cass SP, Hirsch BE, Stechison MT.  Evolution and advances of the lateral surgical approaches to cranial base neoplasms.  Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 20:337-361, 1994.

Patel SJ, Sekhar LN, Cass SP, Hirsch BE.  Combined approaches for resection of extensive glomus jugulare tumors.  J Neurosurg 80:1026-1038, 1994.

Furman JM, Cass SP.  A practical work-up for vertigo.  Contemporary Internal Medicine, 7(3):24-40, March, 1995.

Carrau RL, Petruzzelli G, Cass SP.  Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Nasopharynx.  Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 112:501-502, 1995.

Furman JM, Cass SP.  Treating Dizziness.  Contemporary Internal Medicine 8(1):66-71, January, 1996.

Cass SP, Redfern MS, Furman JM, DiPasquale JJ.  Galvanic-Induced Postural Movements as a Test of Vestibular Function in Humans.  The Laryngoscope 106(3):423-430, April, 1996.

Chang CYJ, O'Rourke DK, Cass SP.  Update on Skull Base Surgery.  Clinics of North America 29(3):467-501, June, 1996.

Cass SP, Borello-France D, Furman JM.  Functional Outcome of Vestibular Rehabilitation in Patients with Abnormal Sensory-Organization Testing.  The American Journal of Otology 17:581-594, 1996.

Cass SP, Furman JM, Ankerstjerne JKP, Balaban C, Yetiser S, Aydogan B.  Migraine-Related Vestibulopathy.  Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology 106:182-189, 1997.  ** Chosen by YEAR BOOK OF NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY to be abstracted in the 1999 Year Book.

Whitney SL, Poole JL, Cass SP.  A Review of Balance Assessments for Older Adults. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 55(8),666-671,1998.

Furman JM, Cass SP, Briggs BC.  Treatment of Benign Positional Vertigo Using Heels-Over-Head Rotation.  Annals of Otology, Rhinology, Laryngology,  107:1046-1053, 1998.

Goldman SA, Siegfried J, Scolieri P, Aydogen LB, Cass SP.  The effect of acidic fibroblast growth factor and live yeast cell derivative on tympanic membrane regeneration in a rat model.  Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 116: 616-621., 1997.

Jian BJ, Cotter LA, Emanuel BA, Cass SP, Yates BJ.  Effects of bilateral vestibular lesions on orthostatic tolerance in awake cats.  Journal of Applied Physiology 86(5), 1552-1560, 1999.

Sindwani R,Parnes LS, Goebel JA, Cass SP.  An Approach to the Vestibular Patient and Driving: A Patient Perspective. Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg, Jul;121(1):13-17, 1999.

Chang CYJ, Cass SP.  Management of Facial Nerve Injury Due to Temporal Bone Trauma.  American Journal of Otology 20:96-114, 1999.

Furman JM, Cass SP.  Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.  New England Journal of Medicine, 341(21):1590-1596, November, 1999.

Nunez RA, Cass SP, Furman JM.   Short and Long-term Outcomes of Canalith Repositioning for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery, 122(5):647-652, 2000.  ** Chosen by Editor of Otoloaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery to be offered in full electronically on the Journal's web-site.

Yates BJ, Jian BJ, Cotter LA, Cass SP.  Responses of Vestibular Nucleus Neurons to Tilt following Chronic Bilateral Removal of Vestibular Inputs.  Experimental Brain Research, 130:151-158, 2000.

O'Reilly RC, Goldman SA, Widner SA, Cass SP.  Creatting A stable Tympanic Membrane Perforation Using Mitomycin C.  Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 124(1): 40-45, 2001.

Scolieri P, Widner SA, Cass SP.  An Anatomical Varient of the Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery in a Patient with Meniere's Disease.   The American Journal of Otology 22: 519-525, 2001

Cotter LA, Arendt HE, Jasko JG, Sprango C, Cass SP, Yates BJ.  Effects of Postural Changes and Vestibular Lesions on Diaphragm and rectus abdominis  Activity in Awake Cats.  Journal Applied Physiology 91: 137-144, 2001.

M.J. Holmes, L.A. Cotter, H.E. Arendt, S.P. Cass, and B.J. Yates.  Effects of lesions of the caudal cerebellar vermis on cardiovascular regulation in awake cats.  Brain Research 938:62-72, 2002.

Anker AR, Ali A, Arendt HE , Cass  SP, Cotter LA, Jian BJ, Tamrazi B, and Yates BJ.  Use of Electrical Vestibular Stimulation to Alter Genioglossal Muscle Activity in Awake Cats.  Journal of Vestibular Research 131–8, 2003.

Effects of  postural changes and vestibular lesions on genioglossal muscle activity in conscious cats.  Journal of Applied Physiology  96: 923–930, 2004.

Reilly R, Hirsch B, Bernat S, Poznanovi S, Cass, SP.  Ossiculopasty using incus interposition: Hearing results and analysis of the middle ear risk index.  Otology and Neurotology 26(5):853-858, 2005.

Poznanovi S, Cass, SP. Short Term Tumor Control and Acute Toxicity after Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Glomus Jugulare Tumors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery.  Mar;134(3):437-42, 2006.

T. D. Wilson, L. A. Cotter, J. A. Draper, S. P. Misra, C. D. Rice, S. P. Cass, and B. J. Yates

Effects of Postural Changes and Removal of Vestibular Inputs on Blood Flow to the Head of Conscious Felines  J Appl Physiol 100: 1475­1482, 2006.

M. Arshian, R.J. Holtje , L.A. Cotter , C.D. Rice , S.P. Cass  , and B.J. Yates.    Consequences of postural changes and removal of vestibular inputs on the movement of air in and out of the lungs of  conscious felines.  Journal of Applied Physiology.103: 347-352, 2007.

D. M. Miller, L.A. Cotte1, N. J. Gandhi, R. H. Schor, S. P. Cass, N. O. Huff, S. G. Raj, J. A Shulman, and B. J. Yates..  Responses of Caudal Vestibular Nucleus Neurons of Conscious Cats to Rotations in Vertical Planes, Before and After a Bilateral Vestibular Neurectomy. Exp. Brain Res. 188: 175-186, 2008.

N Bhattacharyya, R Baugh, L Orvidas, D Barrs, S Cass, et al.  Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo.  Otolaryngology-Head and Neck  Surgery 139:S47-81, 2008.

Cass S, Bhattacharyya  N.   Response to commentary: Benign paroxysmal position vertigo
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery July 2009 (Vol. 141, Issue 1, Pages 10-11)

K.J. Yavorcik, D.A. Reighard, S.P. Misra, L.A. Cotter, S.P. Cass, T.D. Wilson, B. J. Yates.  Effects of Postural Changes and Removal of Vestibular Inputs on  Blood Flow to and from the Hindlimb of Conscious Felines.  Am. J. Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative, 297: R1777R1784, 2009.

Susan Barman, Yoichiro Sugiyama, Takeshi Suzuki, Lucy Cotter, Vincent DeStefino, Derek Reighard, Stephen Cass, and Bill Yates  Rhythmic Activity of Neurons in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla of Conscious Cats: Effect of Removal of Vestibular Inputs.   Am. J. Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative.  In Press July 2011

Book Chapters:

Cass SP.  Role of Medications in Otological Vertigo and Balance Disorders.  pp. 257-269. In:  Northern JL (ed):  Seminars in Hearing, Volume XII.  Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., New York, 1991.

Monsell EM, Cass SP, Rybak LP.  Aminoglycoside Treatment for Vertigo:  Development and Current Status.  In: (eds.) Myers EN, Bluestone CB, Brackman DE, Krause CJ):  Advances in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Volume 7, Mosby-Year Book, Inc, Chicago, IL, 1993.

Cass SP, Furman JMR.  Medications and their effects on vestibular function testing.  ENG Report, ICS Medical, pgs. 1-4, November, 1993.

Monsell EM, Cass SP, Rybak LP.  Chemical labyrinthectomy.  In:  Brackman DE (ed):  Otologic Surgery.  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1994.

Kartush JM, Cass SP, Leder SB, Koch DB.  Cochlear Implantation (SIPAC), American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 1994.

Cass SP, Sekhar LN, Hirsch BE:  Management of the facial nerve in transtemporal approaches to the cranial base.  First International Skull Base Congress, Hannover, Germany, June 14-20, 1992.  Skull Base Surgery, MS 187, (eds. Basel, Karger), 1994.

Cass SP, Furman JF.  Evaluation of the dizzy patient.  American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.  Slide Series, March, 1994.

Linstrom CJ, Cass SP.  Practical Management of the Dizzy Patient.  In: Lucente FE (ed):  American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Highlights of the Instructional Courses.  Mosby-Year Book, Inc., St. Louis, MO, 1995.

Furman JMR, Cass SP.  Laboratory testing I.  Electronystagmography and Rotational Testing.  In: (Robert W. Baloh, Michael Halmagyi ( eds.), Disorders of the Vestibular System, Oxford University Press, New York.  (In Press, 1996).

Cass SP.  Tumors of the ear and temporal bone. In Charles D. Bluestone, Sylvan E. Stool, Margaret Kenna (eds): Pediatric Otolaryngology, Third Edition , pp. 707-717, 1996.

Cass SP.  Petrosal Approaches.  In Myers EN, Carrau RL, Cass SP, Eibling DE, Hirsch BE, Janecka IP, Johnson JT, Kamerer DB, Snyderman CH (eds).  Operative Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1997.

Cass SP.  Mastoid Surgery.  In Myers EN, Carrau RL, Cass SP, Eibling DE, Hirsch BE, Janecka IP, Johnson JT, Kamerer DB, Snyderman CH (eds).  Operative Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia., 1997.

Cass SP.  Management of Intracranial Complications of Otitis Media.  In Myers EN, Carrau RL, Cass SP, Eibling DE, Hirsch BE, Janecka IP, Johnson JT, Kamerer DB, Snyderman CH (eds).  Operative Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1997.

Cass SP.  Management of Facial Nerve Disorders and Infections.  In Myers EN, Carrau RL, Cass SP, Eibling DE, Hirsch BE, Janecka IP, Johnson JT, Kamerer DB, Snyderman CH (eds).  Operative Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia., 1997.

Cass SP.  Surgery for Vertigo.  In Myers EN, Carrau RL, Cass SP, Eibling DE, Hirsch BE, Janecka IP, Johnson JT, Kamerer DB, Snyderman CH (eds).  Operative Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia., 1997.

Cass SP.  Cochlear Implantation.  In Myers EN, Carrau RL, Cass SP, Eibling DE, Hirsch BE, Janecka IP, Johnson JT, Kamerer DB, Snyderman CH (eds).  Operative Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia. 1997.

Cass SP.  Staging and Outcomes for Meniere's Disease.  In: Meniere's Disease, edited by Jeffrey P. Harris, Kugler Publications, The Hague, The Netherlands, pp 239-253, 1998

Moller AR, Cass SP.  Hemifacial Spasm.  In Current Therapy in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, sixth edition.  Mosby-Year Book, St Louis, Mo. 1998.

Thompson S, Cass SP.  Meningiomas of the Jugular Foramen. In Tumors of the Ear and Temporal Bone, edited by Robert Jackler and Colin Driscoll.  Lippincott-Raven, Philadephia, PA, 1998.

Monsell EM, Cass SP, Rybak LP., Nedzelski JM  Chemical Treatment of the Labyrinth. Brackman DE (ed):  Otologic Surgery.  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 2000.

Jacob RG, Furman JM, Cass SP.  Psychiatric Consequences of Vestibular Dysfunction.  Chapter for L. Luxon, A. Martini, J Furman, D. Stephens (Eds): Audiological Medicine, 5/2000.

Cass SP, Practical Management of the Dizzy Patient, Performing the Physical Exam: Ocular Motor Examination, edited by Joel A. Goebel. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia PA 2001

Cass SP, Practical Management of the Dizzy Patient, Performing the Physical Exam: Testing the Vestibuloocular Reflex, edited by Joel A. Goebel. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia PA 2001

Yoshikawa N, Cass SP.  Conductive Hearing loss.  ENT Secrets 2003

Yoshikawa N, Cass SP.  Sensorineural Hearing loss.  ENT Secrets 2003

Thrasher R, Cass SP,  Facial Nerve Paralysis.  ENT Secrets  2003

Cass, SP, Allergy in Meniere's Disease.  Meniere's Disease and Inner Ear Homeostasis Disorders.  David Lim, Editor.  Published by House Institute.  2005.

Chemical Labyrinthectomy using Intratympanic Gentamicin for Treatment of Disabling Vertigo associated with Meniere's Disease.  Meniere's Disease and Inner Ear Homeostasis Disorders.  David Lim, Editor.  Published by House Institute.  2005.

Monsell EM, Cass SP, Rybak LP., Nedzelski JM  Chemical Treatment of the Labyrinth. Brackman DE (ed):  Otologic Surgery, 2nd Ed..  W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 2007.

Cass SP, Practical Management of the Dizzy Patient, Performing the Physical Exam: Ocular Motor Examination, 2nd Ed., edited by Joel A. Goebel. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia PA. In press 2008.

Cass SP, Practical Management of the Dizzy Patient, Performing the Physical Exam: Testing the Vestibuloocular Reflex, 2nd Ed., edited by Joel A. Goebel. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia PA,2008.

Cass SP, Mudd ,P.  Tumors of the ear and temporal bone. In Charles D. Bluestone, Sylvan E. Stool, Margaret Kenna (eds): Pediatric Otolaryngology, 4th Edition , 2010.

Tringali S, Cass SP.  Bone anchored hearing system.  EMedicine.  Online 2010.

Cass S.P., Mudd P.  Bone Anchored Hearing Systems.  Operative Otolaryngology.   Volume 21, Issue 3, September  2010

Barman, S, M., Sugiyama, Y., Suzuki, T., Cotter, L.A., DeStefino, V.J., Reighard, D.A., Cass, S.P., andYates, B.J.  Rhythmic activity of neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of conscious cats: effect of removal of vestibular inputs. Am. J. Physiol. 301: R937-R946, 2011.