Ralph Bell Metson MD

Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School

Zero Emerson PlSte 2DBoston, MA 02114
Fax+1 617-227-4482

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Summary

Dr. Ralph Metson is an otolaryngologist based in Boston, MA, specializing in disorders of the nose and sinuses. He completed his medical education at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, followed by internships and residencies in otolaryngology and surgery at various esteemed institutions including UCLA and Harvard Medical School. His areas of expertise include the development of surgical techniques for the treatment of sinus disease, among others. Dr. Metson has contributed to several publications in recognized journals and has been acknowledged multiple times as one of America's Top Doctors. He is a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. His book "The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healing your Sinuses" was published by McGraw-Hill.

Education & Training

Mass General Brigham/Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical SchoolResidency, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 1985 - 1987
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical CenterResidency, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 1981 - 1985
Huntington Memorial HospitalResidency, Surgery, 1980 - 1981
University of Southern California/LACUSC Medical CenterInternship, Transitional Year, 1979 - 1980
University of California San Diego School of MedicineClass of 1979

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Certifications & Licensure

CA State Medical License 1980 - 2027
MA State Medical License 1985 - 2027
American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Otolaryngology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

America's Top Doctors Castle Connolly, 2003-2014
Boston Magazine Castle Connolly, 2008, 2010-2013
Fellow (FACS) American College of Surgeons

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Effect of Body Mass Index on Long-Term Outcomes After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.
Jack Y Ghannam, Allen S Zhou, Stacey T Gray, Jennifer J Shin, Ralph Metson
The Laryngoscope. 2026-08-03
Does Psychological Dysfunction Impact 5-Year Quality of Life Outcomes After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
Allen S Zhou, Maryann Zhao, Jack Y Ghannam, Stacey T Gray, Ralph Metson
The Laryngoscope. 2026-07-08
Malignant Transformation of a Radiation-Naïve Sinonasal Tract Angiofibroma: Clinicopathologic and Molecular Characterization of an Exceptionally Delayed Transformation.
Shaden N Hamada, Bayan A Alzumaili, Harry P W Kozakewich, Kush Panara, Ralph B Metson
Head and Neck Pathology. 2026-05-21

Journal Articles

Use of Corticosteroid-Eluting Sinus Stents Between 2012 and 2017
Ralph Metson, Matthew R Naunheim, Vinay K Rathi, JAMA

Lectures

Endoscopic Surgery of the Sinuses & Eustachian Tube
Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts - 4/2/2012

Press Mentions

Clinical Best Practices: Otolaryngologists Tackle QuestionsJune 13th, 2022
Elizabeth Mahoney Davis, MD, FACS, an Otolaryngologist with Colden – Seymour ENT and AllergySeptember 23rd, 2019
New Developments in the Management of Eustachian Tube DysfunctionJanuary 12th, 2016