About

David W. Kennedy, MD, is an Emeritus Professor of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He is an active staff member at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Philadelphia and also serves on the Active Staff at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Kennedy's clinical expertise includes endoscopic sinus surgery, minimally invasive skull base surgery, minimally invasive CSF leak closure, endoscopic orbital surgery, and endoscopic pituitary surgery. His research focuses on the pathogenesis of rhinosinusitis, mucociliary clearance, and olfaction, as well as the development of instrumentation for endoscopic sinus surgery, minimally invasive skull base surgery, and intraoperative surgical navigation. He has contributed to understanding the effects of chronic rhinosinusitis on quality of life and bone involvement in the condition. Dr. Kennedy has developed endoscopic instruments and served on the medical advisory boards of several commercial entities. He has held leadership positions such as Past President of the American Rhinologic Society and President of the International Rhinologic Society, and is a President Elect of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

Research topics

• Surgery
• Medicine
• Pathology
• Dermatology
• Family medicine
• Immunology
• Internal medicine
• Biotechnology
• Law

Selected publications

• Characterizing Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Comprehensive Descriptive Analysis

  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine · 2025-05-01

  article

  Abstract Rationale: Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA), previously known as Churg-Strauss syndrome, is a rare antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis, with multiorgan involvement. Due to the variable presentation, diagnosis is often challenging and delayed. We aimed to determine the diagnostic delay in patients with EGPA and to identify the factors that may contribute to this delay. Methods: This descriptive study was a retrospective chart review utilizing our electronic medical records (EMR). We identified patients with the diagnosis code of EGPA and included patients over 18 years of age. Patients diagnosed prior to the implementation of our EMR or at other facilities were excluded. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical features, laboratory data, imaging results, biopsy results, treatment, and outcomes. Results: A total of 36 patients met our inclusion criteria. The mean diagnostic delay from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 4.82 years. Of the patients, the mean age at diagnosis was 56 years and 47.2 percent of patients were female. The initial presentation of EGPA was asthma in 36.8 percent of patients and chronic rhinosinusitis in 28.9 percent of patients. Asthma was present in 71 percent of patients and lung nodules or infiltrates were present in 73.6 percent. Nasal polyps were seen in 52.6 percent of patients and chronic rhinosinusitis was observed in 76.3 percent, of which 65.5 percent required surgery prior to the diagnosis of EGPA. 23.7 percent of patients were on a biologic for asthma, nasal polyps, or chronic rhinosinusitis prior to the diagnosis of EGPA. The median absolute eosinophils at initial detection were 1105 cells/microliter. ANCA was positive in 44.7 percent of patients. Biopsy results showed that only 23.6 percent of patients had granulomatous vasculitis, however 57.9 percent of patients had eosinophilic inflammation. 44.7 percent of patients had severe EGPA at the time of diagnosis. Conclusion: Diagnosing EGPA presents a clinical challenge given its rarity and multiorgan presentation. In our study the mean diagnostic delay was 4.82 years with close to half of our patients having severe EGPA by the time of diagnosis. Although considered to be ANCA vasculitis, only 44.7 percent of patients had a positive ANCA, and only 23.6 percent of patients had biopsy proven vasculitis. These factors likely contribute to the delay in diagnosis. Regardless a high clinical suspicion is required to ensure earlier recognition of this rare disease, including a thorough review of systems and appropriate laboratory work up.

  PublisherDOI

• June 4: International Skull Base Surgery Day

  Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B Skull Base · 2025-03-26

  editorialOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Revision Sinus Surgery

  2025-01-01

  book-chapterSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Balloon Sinus Dilation—To Inflate or Not to Inflate

  JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery · 2025-11-13

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• June 4: International Skull Base Surgery Day

  International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology · 2025-03-26

  editorialOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Open-source platforms to investigate analytical flexibility in neuroimaging

  Imaging Neuroscience · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Researchers in brain imaging have access to a multitude of analysis tools, many of which carry out the same or similar tasks but yield different results when applied to the same data. This analytical flexibility often undermines reproducibility and raises concerns about the robustness of neuroimaging studies. However, the array of software packages to investigate and address analytical flexibility is decentralized, scattered, and not well documented. Consequently, researchers often lack the necessary information and protocols to buttress the reliability of their findings across analytical tools. This review catalogs and describes software platforms (i.e., software or computational libraries) that can be used to address result variability arising from computational pipelines and environments and explores the use of computing platforms and neuroimaging pipeline frameworks in addressing this issue. This study offers guidance to the research community on accessing, understanding, and utilizing these platforms to address brain imaging analytical flexibility. Additionally, the article provides specific recommendations tailored to different user groups, considering the tools they intend to use with these platforms and their computational constraints.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Healthcare Resource Utilization and Cost After Temperature‐Controlled Radiofrequency Treatment of Nasal Airway Obstruction: A Real‐World Longitudinal Claims Analysis

  International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology · 2025-11-26 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is prevalent with substantial health and quality of life burdens. Nasal valve collapse (NVC) is one structural cause of NAO. Temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) nasal valve remodeling offers an alternative to invasive surgery. Clinical efficacy is established, but the impacts of TCRF on healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and cost in real-world settings remain underexplored. METHODS: Two cohorts with NAO were defined from a large general NAO population: the TCRF cohort with an isolated TCRF (index) procedure and a propensity-matched medically managed (MM) cohort without nasal procedures. HRU and costs were evaluated within a 24-month pre-/post-index period for both. RESULTS: A total of 10,206 TCRF and 50,766 MM patients were analyzed. Significant post-index reductions were observed for TCRF across all-cause Evaluation & Management (E&M) visits, ENT-related procedures, and sleep-related claim categories. A large reduction in mean daily post-index costs was seen for the TCRF cohort: $68.07 pre-index to $38.75 post-index (-43.1%). Mean daily costs went up in the MM cohort from $42.08 pre-index to $63.26 post-index (+50.4%), resulting in total cost savings of $21,418.26 for the TCRF cohort and a total cost increase of $15,471.99 in the MM cohort in the 24-month post-index period. TCRF cost reductions were driven by reductions in NAO-related HRU. CONCLUSIONS: In this large, real-world analysis, TCRF treatment for NVC-related NAO demonstrated substantial reductions in HRU and total costs of care, demonstrating sustained savings over 2 years relative to MM patients.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Characterization of Patients With Severe Asthma Who Initiated Biologic Treatment Within ≤90 and >90 Days After Biologic Eligibility

  2024-04-30

  article
  PublisherDOI

• International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors

  UNC Libraries · 2024-10-16

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Sinonasal neoplasms, whether benign and malignant, pose a significant challenge to clinicians and represent a model area for multidisciplinary collaboration in order to optimize patient care. The International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors (ICSNT) aims to summarize the best available evidence and presents 48 thematic and histopathology-based topics spanning the field. METHODS: In accordance with prior International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology documents, ICSNT assigned each topic as an Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations, Evidence-Based Review, and Literature Review based on the level of evidence. An international group of multidisciplinary author teams were assembled for the topic reviews using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses format, and completed sections underwent a thorough and iterative consensus-building process. The final document underwent rigorous synthesis and review prior to publication. RESULTS: The ICSNT document consists of four major sections: general principles, benign neoplasms and lesions, malignant neoplasms, and quality of life and surveillance. It covers 48 conceptual and/or histopathology-based topics relevant to sinonasal neoplasms and masses. Topics with a high level of evidence provided specific recommendations, while other areas summarized the current state of evidence. A final section highlights research opportunities and future directions, contributing to advancing knowledge and community intervention. CONCLUSION: As an embodiment of the multidisciplinary and collaborative model of care in sinonasal neoplasms and masses, ICSNT was designed as a comprehensive, international, and multidisciplinary collaborative endeavor. Its primary objective is to summarize the existing evidence in the field of sinonasal neoplasms and masses.

  PublisherDOI

• Otolaryngology workforce analysis

  Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · 2024-08-22

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The number of trained otolaryngologists available is insufficient to supply current and projected US health care needs. The goal of this study was to assess available databases and present accurate data on the current otolaryngology workforce, examine methods for prediction of future health care needs, and explore potential issues with forecasting methods and policy implementation based on these predictions. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of research databases, public use files, and claims data. METHODS: The total number of otolaryngologists and current practices in the United States was tabulated using the databases of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Board of Otolaryngology, American College of Surgeons, Association of American Medical Colleges, National Center for Health Statistics, and Department of Health and Human Services. Otolaryngologists were identified as surgeons and classified into surgical groups using a combination of AMA primary and secondary self-reported specialties and American Board of Medical Specialties certifications. Data gathered were cross-referenced to rule out duplications to assess total practicing otolaryngologists. Data analyzed included type of practice: 1) academic versus private and 2) general versus specialty; and demographics: 1) urban versus rural, 2) patient age, 3) reason for visit (referral, new, established, surgical follow-up), 4) reason for visit (diagnosis), and 5) payer type. RESULTS: Analysis from the above resources estimates the total number of otolaryngologists practicing in the United States in 2011 to be 12,609, with approximately 10,522 fully trained practicing physicians (9,232-10,654) and 2,087 in training (1,318 residents and 769 fellows/others). Based on 2011 data, workforce projections would place the fully trained and practicing otolaryngology workforce at 11,088 in 2015 and 12,084 in 2025 unless changes in training occur. The AAO-HNS Physicians Resource Committee performed an extensive analysis of collated data from multiple sources in 2014 and identified 10,800 practicing otolaryngologists and 2,087 in training. It is estimated that the current attrition rate is approximately 306 otolaryngologists per year. Percentage distribution of office visits by patient age was found to be 20% <15 years old, 7% 15 to 24 years old, 21% 25 to 44 years old, 32% 45 to 64 years old, 11% 65 to 74 years old, and 10% ≥75 years old. Reason for visit was 34% new, 29% chronic, 17% chronic with exacerbation, and 15% pre- or postsurgical follow-up. The top diagnoses consisted of otitis media, chronic sinusitis, and impacted cerumen. Payer mix consisted of 59% private insurance, 19% Medicare, and 12% Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program. CONCLUSIONS: Despite past findings and predictions of 8,000 to 8,500 otolaryngologists practicing in the United States, collated data from above resources places the total at 12,887, with 10,800 fully trained and practicing in 2014. This 30% to 50% underestimation of the otolaryngology workforce has an impact on future predictions and resource utilization analysis. Even when this correction is considered, the available trained otolaryngologists required to serve the otolaryngologic health care needs of the US population are still insufficient and understaffed. The impact of an aging population and the estimated 30 to 47 million newly insured citizens under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are also unprecedented variables that must be considered. Further analysis of differences in physician productivity and geographic population density, and model formation of current otolaryngology workforce utilization, are needed to predict future public health needs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 126:5-11, 2016.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R01NS034189

  NIH · $4.9M · 2007

• NIH Grant K08DK002443

  NIH · $499k · 2002

Frequent coauthors

• James N. Palmer

  143 shared

• Graeme C. McKinnon

  121 shared

• Stephen J. Karlik

  121 shared

• Axel Haase

  121 shared

• Verne S. Caviness

  Massachusetts General Hospital

  121 shared

• Alan M. Kielar

  Philips (Netherlands)

  121 shared

• Carl R. Crawford

  121 shared

• Pauline A. Filipek

  The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

  121 shared

Labs

• Kennedy LaboratoryPI

Awards & honors

• Past President of the American Rhinologic Society
• President International Rhinologic Society
• President Elect of the American Academy of Otolaryngology -…