Dr. Ashley Agan is an otolaryngologist in Dallas, TX.
Podcasts
ENT & Allergy # 298Oct 15, 2026Optimizing CRS Outcomes with Posterior Nasal Nerve Ablation
Claims data suggest roughly one in three patients return after sinus surgery with persistent symptoms, and for many of them the complaint is drainage. On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, host Dr. Ashley Agan welcomes Dr. Chris Davis, a comprehensive otolaryngologist in Birmingham, Alabama, whose practice is largely rhinology, to make the case that the persistent drainage after a technically perfect sinus surgery is a treatable problem rather than an acceptable residual. They discuss the anatomy and neuroimmune function of the posterior nasal nerve, how ablation may affect symptom scores and local inflammation, and the stepwise approach to patient selection and operative technique.
- ENT & Allergy # 297Oct 13, 2026
Comprehensive Sleep Apnea Management in Children
Why does a snoring child so often need more than one specialty to get better? On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, host Dr. Ashley Agan welcomes Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, a triple board certified sleep medicine physician and founder of a boutique sleep practice in Horsham, Pennsylvania, to map the multidisciplinary pediatric sleep team. They cover in-lab polysomnography and its access bottleneck, the evidence for home sleep apnea testing in children, myofunctional therapy, the rise of airway informed pediatric dentistry, mouth taping, comorbid insomnia, restless sleep, and the role of weight in persistent disease.
- ENT & Allergy # 292Sep 15, 2026
Workforce Development in Otolaryngology: Challenges & Strategies
How is the “arms race” for research and academic credentials reshaping the ENT workforce and residency process? On this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy, Dr. Ashley Agan sits down with Dr. Al Merati and Dr. Mark Whipple from the University of Washington to discuss the pressures ENT residency applicants face, the impact on specialty equity and rural access, and the challenges programs encounter in selecting the next generation of otolaryngologists. They explore survey data showing up to two-thirds of applicants feel compelled to present an “academic” persona, and why this trend may erode unity, transparency, and opportunities across the field.
- ENT & Allergy # 286Aug 4, 2026
What's The Big Deal With This BackTable App?
BackTable is moving beyond the traditional podcast experience and into a platform built specifically for clinicians. On this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, hosts Drs. Gopi Shah and Ashley Agan welcome Dr. Aaron Fritts, interventional radiologist and BackTable CEO and Co-Founder, to discuss the history and future of BackTable, and what listeners can look forward to on the new BackTable App.
- ENT & Allergy # 285Jul 28, 2026
Post-Operative Care & Complications in Coblation Intracapsular Tonsillectomy in Children
Most surgeons trained learning extracapsular tonsillectomies. What does the evidence say about intracapsular tonsillectomies? Two pediatric otolaryngologists explain why they made the switch and never looked back. On this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, hosts Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah sit down with pediatric otolaryngologists Dr. Stephen Chorney from UT Southwestern and Children's Health Dallas and Dr. Kevin Huoh from Children's of Orange County to examine post-operative complications after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, with a focus on coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy.
- ENT & Allergy # 283Jul 21, 2026
Streamlining Surgery: The Future of the OR
What if the next major advance in ENT surgery isn’t a new instrument, but a better-integrated operating room? In this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Cleveland Clinic rhinologist and skull base surgeon Dr. Raj Sindwani joins Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan to discuss how reducing cognitive load, improving workflows, and creating a more efficient OR environment can enhance the surgical experience.
- ENT & Allergy # 280Jun 30, 2026
Leadership Through Resiliency & Mentorship
Every leader has a story. The experiences, mentors, and moments along the way shape not only who we become, but how we lead. In this episode of BackTable ENT and Allergy, Drs. Ashley Agan and Gopi Shah interview internationally renowned rhinologist Dr. Troy Woodard about his leadership journey and the lessons learned along the way. Together, they explore how leadership is about actions rather than titles, the value of national involvement, and the importance of embracing change and personal growth throughout a career.
- ENT & Allergy # 279Jun 23, 2026
Collaborative Care in Chronic Sinusitis & Allergies
When should recurrent sinus infections trigger an allergy or immune workup? In this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Karen Kaufman of Kaufman Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology in Vienna, Virginia, sits down with Dr. Ashley Agan to discuss chronic sinusitis evaluation, allergy testing, immunotherapy, immune deficiency screening, and building a private practice.
- ENT & Allergy # 278Jun 16, 2026
Comprehensive Evaluation & Surgical Management of Nasal Septal Perforations
Septal perforations can be deceptively challenging, with a wide range of etiologies, symptoms, and treatment options to consider. In this episode of BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, hosts Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah interview Dr. Oswaldo Henriquez, a board-certified otolaryngologist and rhinologist at WellStar Health System in Atlanta, to explore the complexities of evaluating and managing nasal septal perforations. The conversation covers how perforation size and location shape symptoms, the most common causes including iatrogenic trauma and chronic nose picking, and a thorough, stepwise approach to diagnosis and treatment.
- ENT & Allergy # 277Jun 9, 2026
Molecular Diagnostics for Thyroid Nodules
For years, an indeterminate thyroid biopsy has meant diagnostic surgery, but molecular testing is now changing that reality entirely. On this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy podcast, Dr. Ashley Agan interviews endocrinologist Dr. Erik Alexander about how molecular testing and a systematic, layered approach to thyroid nodule evaluation are reducing diagnostic surgeries and enabling more individualized patient care.
- ENT & Allergy # 276Jun 1, 2026
LPR vs. LPS: Key Differences & Diagnostic Techniques
Not all chronic cough, globus, or voice changes are due to reflux, so how do you distinguish laryngopharyngeal symptoms (LPS) from true laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD)? In this episode of the BackTable ENT & Allergy Podcast, Dr. Ashley Agan interviews laryngologist Dr. Inna Husain about how nuanced diagnostic definitions and a careful clinical approach can improve patient outcomes and avoid both under- and overdiagnosis. Together, they discuss the differences between GERD and LPRD, review the importance of detailed patient histories, endoscopic findings, and the evolving role of biomarkers like pepsin.
- ENT & Allergy # 265Mar 17, 2026
Pediatric Tympanoplasty: Butterfly Cartilage Technique
What makes butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty such an elegant solution for pediatric eardrum perforations? In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, Dr. Sean Evans of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta joins hosts Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah to discuss the evaluation and management of pediatric tympanic membrane perforations, with a focus on the butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty technique.
- ENT & Allergy # 262Feb 24, 2026
Systematic Approach to Pediatric OSA Management
Not every airway is a tonsil problem. Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea is often more nuanced than it appears, requiring thoughtful evaluation beyond routine surgery. In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Tali Lando discusses managing pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan.
- ENT & Allergy # 259Feb 3, 2026
Understanding Coblation Tonsillectomy: Benefits, Outcomes & Techniques
Can one surgical approach reduce postoperative bleeding, shorten recovery, and save hundreds of dollars per case? In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, Dr. Stephen Chorney, pediatric otolaryngologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, joins hosts Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah to discuss the benefits and techniques of coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy. Drawing from his extensive clinical experience and findings from his recent Triological thesis, Dr. Chorney reviews the cost effectiveness of coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy compared to traditional extracapsular approaches.
- ENT & Allergy # 254Dec 30, 2025
Modern ENT Private Practice: Insights & Innovations
“This is the kind of conversation I wish I heard earlier in training.” If you’re thinking about private practice at all, you’ll want to hear this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast. Private practice otolaryngologist Dr. Caleb Masterson joins host Dr. Ashley Agan for a conversation about what modern ENT private practice can look like when autonomy, leadership, and patient experience take priority.
- ENT & Allergy # 253Dec 23, 2025
ENT Women in Industry: Research & Innovation
How can your clinical experience translate into industry leadership? In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, otolaryngologist Dr. Karen Hoffmann at Piedmont ENT in Atlanta joins hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan to discuss the many opportunities for industry involvement within otolaryngology.
- ENT & Allergy # 251Dec 9, 2025
Clinical Evaluation & Treatment of Tongue Tie in Pediatric OSA
Does tongue tie impact pediatric sleep disordered breathing? In this episode of the Back Table ENT Podcast, otolaryngologist Dr. Brennan Dodson and speech language pathologist Allegra Bereszniewicz discuss tongue-tie and the pediatric airway with hosts Dr Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah.
- ENT & Allergy # 246Nov 4, 2025
How Nasal Obstruction Impacts Sleep Apnea Treatment
If your patients still struggle with sleep apnea after other treatments, it might be time to look at the nose. In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Scott McCusker joins hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan to discuss the impact of nasal airway obstruction on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- ENT & Allergy # 244Oct 21, 2025
AI's Role in ENT Physical Exams
Endoscopes, AI, and the future of ENT care—otolaryngologist and Presidio CEO Dr. Jonathan Simmonds shares why the tech game is just getting started in this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast.
- ENT & Allergy # 243Oct 14, 2025
Parotid Malignancies: Diagnosis, Biopsy & Treatment Strategies
When should a parotid mass raise red flags? In this episode of the BackTable ENT podcast, Dr. Mirabelle Sajisevi, head and neck surgeon at the University of Vermont Medical Center, joins hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan to discuss her approach to diagnosing and managing parotid malignancies.
- ENT & Allergy # 242Oct 7, 2025
Advances in Posterior Nasal Nerve Ablation
We’re keeping the chronic rhinitis conversation going in this week’s episode of BackTable ENT. Otolaryngologist Dr. Greg Davis joins Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah to break down his approach to posterior nasal nerve (PNN) ablation with the NeuroMark Gen 3, including patient prep, anesthesia, technique, and postoperative care.
- ENT & Allergy # 241Sep 30, 2025
Chronic Rhinitis: Emerging Approaches & Treatments
So many patients deal with a runny, stuffy nose every day, and sprays only go so far. Let’s talk about what’s new for chronic rhinitis. In this episode of the BackTable ENT podcast, Dr. Dennis Tang, a Rhinologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center discusses chronic rhinitis and the latest treatment advancements with hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan.
- ENT & Allergy # 240Sep 23, 2025
Intracapsular Tonsillectomy: Monopolar Technique & Applications
Is there a different way to do an Intracapsular tonsillectomy without using a microdebrider or a Coblator? In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, otolaryngologist Dr. Evan Tobin from Ohio ENT and Allergy Physicians sits down to discuss the intracapsular technique for tonsillectomy with hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan.
- ENT & Allergy # 237Aug 26, 2025
Approaches to Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis Management
Hyperbaric oxygen is out and surgical innovation is in—here’s how the rescue flap is reshaping ORN care. Facial plastic and microvascular surgeons Dr. Ariel Frost and Dr. Eli Gordin join host Dr. Ashley Agan to discuss osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible.