Department of Otolaryngology

Dennis J. Kitsko, DO

  • Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology

Education & Training

  • 1993-1997 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN- BS
  • 1997-2001 Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Erie, PA - Doctor of Osteopathy DO

Representative Publications

Schell A, Kitsko DJ. Audiometric Outcomes in Pediatric Temporal Bone Trauma. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2016 Jan;154:175-80.

Sink JR, Kitsko DJ, Mehta DK, Georg MW, Simons JP. Diagnosis of Pediatric Foreign Body Ingestion: Clinical Presentation, Physical Examination, and Radiologic Findings. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2016 Apr;125:342-50.

Thottam PJ, Choi SS, Simons JP, Kitsko DJ. Effect of Adenotonsillectomy on Central and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children with Down Syndrome.  Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2015 Oct;153:644-8.

Kent DT, Kitsko DJ, Wine T, Chi DH. Frequency-specific hearing outcomes in pediatric type I tympanoplasty. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Feb 1;140(2):106-11. doi:10.1001/ jamaoto.2013.6082.

Cohen MS, Ha AY, Kitsko DJ, Chi DH. Surgical Outcomes With Subperiosteal Pocket Technique For Cochlear Implantation In Very Young Children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Sep;78(9):1545-7.

Dedhia K, Kitsko DJ, Sabo D, Chi DH. Children with sensorineural hearing loss after passing the newborn hearing screen. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013 Feb;139(2):119-23.

Hackett AM, Chi D, Kitsko DJ.  Patterns of injury and otolaryngology intervention in pediatric neck trauma. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2012 Dec;76(12):1751-4.

Davidson HC, Stapleton AL, Casselbrant ML, Kitsko DJ. Perioperative incidence and management of hyponatremia in vWD patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Laryngoscope 2011; 121:1399-403.

Alper CM, Kitsko DJ, Swarts JD, et al. Role of the mastoid in middle ear pressure regulation. Laryngoscope 2011Feb (2);121:404-8.

Hackett AM, Kitsko DJ. Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Near-hanging Injury. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2013 Nov;77(11):1899-901. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl  Epub 2013 Sep 13.

View Dr. Kitsko's most current publications.

Research Interest Summary

Cochlear implant surgery, Sensorineural hearing loss, Conductive hearing loss, Bone anchored hearing aid surgery, Vertigo, Recurrent and chronic ear disease, Cholesteatoma, Functional nasal septal reconstruction, Head and neck masses/lesions

Research Interests

Dr Kitsko’s clinical interests include children with hearing loss, recurrent and chronic ear disease and cholesteatoma, nasal septal reconstruction and head and neck masses/lesions. His research interests include hearing loss, trauma, and middle ear and mastoid gas exchange as it relates to the development of chronic ear disease. He also is involved in clinical and research mentoring of fellows and residents. He is the director of the Otolaryngology subspecialty medical student clerkship at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and regularly lectures for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Research Grants

Principal investigator - Gas Supply, Demand and Middle Ear Gas Balance

Co-investigator - Safety and Efficacy of Topical Moxidex Otic Solution in the Treatment of Acute Otitis Media with Otorrhea Through Tympanostomy Tubes (AOMT