Catherine J. Rees, MD, Assistant Professor, Medical Director, Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders
Interests:
Dr. Rees is a fellowship-trained laryngologist in the Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders in the Department of Otolaryngology. Dr. Rees evaluates and treats all types of adult swallowing disorders, voice problems, and breathing problems related to tracheal disease.
Dr. Rees offers a comprehensive swallowing evaluation, from the lips to stomach. Office-based esophagoscopy can be performed through the nose with or without sedation to screen for cancer or other esophageal disorders. Balloon dilation of the esophagus can also be performed in the office for strictures, webs, or rings. The Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders offers ambulatory dual-probe pH testing, impedance testing, and esophageal and pharyngeal manometry. Videofluoroscopy is also offered through the CVSD.
Dr. Rees evaluates and treat subglottic and tracheal stenosis as well as a full range of voice problems, including recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, vocal fold paresis, vocal fold mucosal lesions, and spasmodic dysphonia. Comprehensive voice evaluations and videostroboscopy are an integral part of the workup for all patients with voice complaints at the CVSD. In-office laser procedures can be performed without sedation for many laryngeal pathologies. Dr. Rees also has a particular interest in chronic cough, laryngopharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux, laryngospasm, and globus.
Dr. Rees is actively involved in research related to dysphagia. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology’s Laryngology and Bronchoesophagology Education Committee. She participates as faculty in several national seminars related to dysphagia and transnasal esophagoscopy.
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
B.S., 1996
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston Salem, NC
M.D., 2001
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston Salem, NC
Otolaryngology Residency, 2001-2006
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, NC
Fellowship in Laryngology/Bronchoesophagology, 2007
University of California, Davis
Sacramento, CA
Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology, 2007
Certification
2003-present North Carolina full medical license
2006-present California full medical license
2006-present California Fluoroscopic X-ray Supervisor and Operator License
Awards and Honors
Clinical Scholar, American Academy of Otolaryngology, 2006.
Kitty and Fred McGuirt Research Award, Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest University, 2006.
Basic Science Award, Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest University, 2006.
"Inhalant Allergen Sensitivity in a Pediatric Otolaryngology Practice" - Resident Poster Competition, first place, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, 2004; Clinical Science Resident Research Award, first place, WFUSM Resident and Fellows Research Day, 2004
Alpha Omega Alpha, elected October 2000
Highest Distinction Graduate, UNC-CH
Delta Omega Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Public Health
Committee Participation
2007-present American Academy of Otolaryngology Laryngology and Bronchoesophagology Education Committee, member
2006 American Academy of Otolaryngology representative to the American Gastroenterological Association Institute/Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement GERD Work Group
Publications:
Koufman JA, Rees CJ, Postma GN, Frazier WD, Kilpatrick LA, Wright SC, Halum SL. Unsedated office-based laryngeal laser surgery: 431 cases with 3 different wavelengths. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Jul;137(1):146-51. Oral presentation at American Academy of Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, 2006.
Rees CJ, Belafsky PC. Gastric carcinoma. Ear Nose Throat J. 2007 Apr;86(4):210.
Rees CJ, Belafsky PC. Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. Advances in Speech Pathology. In press.
Rees CJ, Koufman JA, Blalock PD, Kemp ES, Halum SL. Differentiation of adductor-type spasmodic dysphonia from muscle tension dysphonia by spectral analysis. Oral presentation at Southern Section Meeting of Triological Society, Naples, FL, 2006. In press. Otolarygol Head Neck Surg.
Rees CJ, Postma GN, Koufman JA. Cost-savings of unsedated office-based laryngeal laser surgery for laryngeal papillomas. Annals Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2007 Jan;116(1):45-8.Oral presentation at American Bronchoesophagological Association, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting, Chicago, IL, 2006.
Rees CJ. Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006 Dec;14(6):425-30.
Rees CJ, Belafsky PC. Chronic esophageal stricture with Barrett’s esophagus. Ear Nose Throat J. 2007 Feb;86(2):88.
Rodriguez KH, Roth CR, Rees CJ, Belafsky PC. The reliability of the pharyngeal squeeze maneuver. In press. Annals Otol Rhinol Laryngol.
Belafsky PC, Rees CJ. Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. In press. Hospital Physician.
Leonard R, Belafsky PC, Rees CJ. Relationship between fluoroscopic and manometric measures of pharyngeal constriction: the pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR).Annals Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2006 Dec;115(12):897-901. Oral presentation at Triological Society, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting, Chicago, IL, 2006.
Rees CJ, Halum S, Wijewickrama R, Koufman J, Postma G. Patient tolerance of in-office pulsed dye laser treatments to the upper aerodigestive tract. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006 June;134:1023-1027. Oral presentation at American Academy of Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, 2005.
Koufman JA, Rees CJ, Halum SL and PD Blalock. Treatment of adductor-type spasmodic dysphonia by surgical myectomy: a preliminary report. Annals Oto Rhino Laryngol. 2006 Feb;115(2):97-102. Oral presentation at American Laryngological Association Section, Combined Otolaryngologic Spring Meeting, Boca Raton, FL, 2005.
Rees CJ, Tridico TI, and DJ Kirse. Expanding applications for the microdebrider in pediatric endoscopic airway surgery. Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. 2005 Oct; 133(4):509-13. Oral presentation at American Academy of Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, New York, NY, 2004.
Kirse DJ, Rees CJ, Celmer AW, Bruegger DE. Endoscopic extended ventriculotomy for congenital saccular cysts of the larynx in infants. Arch Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2006 Feb;132:724-728. Oral presentation at North Carolina/South Carolina Medical Society Annual Meeting, Charleston, SC, 2003.
Browne JD and C Rees. "Tumors of the Anterior Skull Base: Presentation and Workup." Skull Base Medicine and Surgery. Ed. G Harel and PC Weber. Rochester, MN: Custom Printing, Inc., 2004. 131-145.
Koufman JA, Postma GN, Whang CS, Rees CJ, Amin MR, Belafsky PC, Johnson PE, Connolly KM, Walker FO. Diagnostic laryngeal electromyography: The Wake Forest experience 1995-1999. Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. 124 (6): 603-6, 2001 Jun.
Nam TJ, Busby WH Jr, Rees C, Clemmons DR. Thrombospondin and osteopontin bind to insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-5 leading to an alteration in IGF-stimulated cell growth. Endocrinology.141 (3): 1100-6, 2000 Mar.
Rees C, Clemmons DR. Inhibition of IGF binding protein 5 binding to ECM and IGF-1 stimulated DNA synthesis by a peptide fragment of IGF binding protein 5. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. 71 (3): 375-81, 1998 Dec 1.
Rees C, Clemmons DR, Horvitz GD, Clarke JB, Busby WH. A protease-resistant form of IGF binding protein 4 inhibits IGF-1 actions. Endocrinology. 139 (10): 4128-8, 1998 Oct.
Parker A, Rees C, Clarke JB, Busby WH Jr., Clemmons DR. Binding of IGF binding protein 5 to extracellular matrix is a major determinant of the cellular response to IGF-1. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 9 (9): 2382-92, 1998 Sep.
Imai Y, Busby WH, Smith CE, Clark JB, Garmong AJ, Horvitz GD, Rees C, Clemmons DR. Protease-resistant form of IGF-1 binding protein 5 is an inhibitor of IGF-1 actions on porcine smooth muscle cells in culture. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 100 (10): 2596-605, 1997 Nov 15.
Other Presentations
Rees CJ, Henderson A, Belafsky PC. “Post-viral vagal neuropathy.“ Poster presentation at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2007.
Nasopharyngeal Endoscopy/Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. Presented at: Small Caliber Upper Endoscopy Course. Oregon Health & Science University, December 8-9, 2006.
Advanced Esophagology. Two-hour instruction course with PC Belafsky and GN Postma, American Academy of Otolarynoglogy Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, 2006.
Koufman JA, Rees CJ, Wright SC. "Common Manifestations of Neuropathic Pain ("Sick-Nerve Syndromes") in Laryngology." Poster presentation at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting, Chicago, IL, 2006.
Postma GN, McGuirt Sr. WF, Butler SG, Rees CJ, Crandall HL, Markley LW. "Laryngopharyngeal Abnomalities in Hospitalized Patients with Dysphagia." Poster presentation at Southern Section Meeting of Triological Society, Naples, FL, 2006.
Koufman JA, Rees CJ, Chance EW, Blalock PD. "Subclassification of Laryngeal Dystonias." Poster presentation at Southern Section of Triological Society, Naples, FL, 2006.
Rees CJ, Goins MR, Pitovski DZ. "Inhalant Allergen Sensitivity in a Pediatric Otolaryngology Practice." Poster presentation at American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy Annual Meeting, New York NY, 2004 and Wake Forest University Resident and Fellows Research Day, 2004.