
World Class Treatment In Your Hometown
Dr. Sanjeet Rangarajan

Education & Training:
Medical School
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (Grand Rapids, MI)
Residency
Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus, OH)
Fellowship
Advanced Rhinology/Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA)
Board Certification
American Board of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
About
Conditions I Treat:
Sinus Diseases
Rhinosinusitis, or sinusitis, occurs when your sinuses, the hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose, are inflamed. Your sinuses produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If the inside of your nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain. Rhinosinusitis can be caused by an infection or allergies.
Nasal Obstruction
The nose can be obstructed/congested due to anatomic causes (deviated septum, concha bullosa), environmental causes (allergies, infection), or growths in the nose (nasal polyps, tumors). These obstructions can cause difficulty with breathing, snoring, or problems with smell and taste.
Sinus Tumors
Tumors of the sinuses can be either benign (non-cancer) or cancerous. When they grow, they can put pressure on the eyes or brain, causing significant dysfunction and/or discomfort. Common tumors include inverted papilloma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and others.
Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths of soft tissue that develop in the nose and sinuses. The cause of nasal polyps is unknown, but they are associated with chronic inflammation. Often, this condition is associated with other inflammatory disorders, such as asthma or rheumatologic disorders.
Skull Base Tumors
Tumors of the skull base occupy an area inside the head that serves as a barrier between the brain and the sinus cavities. The skull base is a critical and complex area through which pass vital nerves and blood vessels. Both benign (non-cancer), and cancerous tumors can occur in this location. Examples include pituitary tumors, craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas, chordomas, esthesioneuroblastomas, petrous apex granulomas, and others.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak
If the membrane that surrounds the brain tears or punctures, “spinal fluid” (or its medical term, cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]) can leak out and cause headaches, infection, and further complications, including meningitis. This can occur spontaneously, or following endoscopic sinus surgery.
Orbital Tumors
Epiphora (excessive tearing), and dacryocystitis (inflammation/infection of the tear duct/sac) are common problems which can sometimes arise from disorders within the nose and sinuses.
Smell and Taste Disorders
Olfactory (smell) disorders can occur in patients with or without sinus disease. This can include a depression or loss in the sense of smell, or smell distortion when things do not smell like they are supposed to. Often, those with taste disorders have an underlying abnormality in the sense of smell, because that is the primary way we perceive flavor in food.
My Practice:
I specialize in rhinology, which is a division of otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat surgery) dedicated to treating nasal and sinus conditions, including sinusitis, nasal polyps, and allergic disorders. I perform endoscopic sinus surgery and care for patients with chronic sinus issues (a commonality in the Memphis area!). A significant portion of my practice is also dedicated to treatment of brain tumors and pathology located at the skull base. Together with my colleagues in neurosurgery and ophthalmology, we can treat patients with these tumors by removing them through the nose using small cameras and state-of-the-art instruments.
Our nose and sinuses are integral to how we interact with the world around us. These organs help us enjoy the scent of fresh cookies, or detect the danger of nearby fire. Healthy sinuses allow us to be more effective at home and at work, and a nose free of obstruction helps ensure a good night sleep. When these areas are affected by disease, our entire quality of life is reduced.
I am committed to providing personalized, compassionate patient care in Memphis and beyond. No two patients’ sinus conditions are the same, and each is deserving of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan. I participate in international medical missions to deliver sinus/skull base care where equipment and expertise are still catching up to the United States, and have most recently traveled to the Dominican Republic and Vietnam.
My academic research focuses on new and innovative treatments for patients with chronic sinusitis, as well as developing new tools and approaches to complex skull base tumors. I collaborate with physicians and universities across the United States and the world to move us further to developing these new therapies. I am lucky to work with a personable, driven group of resident physicians who are training to be otolaryngologists at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Their dedication to learning and patient care is one of the highlights of our clinical practice.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling, playing tennis, and cooking new foods.
World Class Treatment
In Your Hometown
Location

Cresthaven UCH Otolaryngology
1068 Cresthaven Road Suite 250
Memphis, TN 38119 | Directions
Phone: 901-866-8384 | See More
Directions:
“He gave me my life back.”
“Dr. Rangarajan made me feel comfortable from the start. He is very professional and made my experience at the doctor fun. I was able to move forward with confidence knowing he is always there if I have questions.”
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