UPDATE: Joan Rivers Doctor Categorically Denies Performing Biopsy; Taking Selfie

As BWW reported yesterday, sources have identified the doctor who performed an alleged unauthorized biopsy procedure on Joan Rivers as Dr. Gwen Korovin. The source also confirmed earlier reports that the physician snapped a selfie of the legendary comic while she was under anesthesia.

Today, a source close to Dr. Korovin tells CNN that she denies "performing an unauthorized procedure" before Rivers suffered cardiac arrest, and "categorically denies" taking a SELFIE while the comedian was under anesthesia at Manhattan's Yorkville Endoscopy clinic.

Rivers passed away at the age of 81, a week after suffering cardiac arrest.

A source close to the investigaton also shared new details with CNN today, including that a sedated Rivers could be seen in the background of Korovin's selfie taken in the procedure room. Clinic workers told investigators they overheard the doctor make a statement to the effect that Rivers "will think this is funny" or "would love this" as she snapped the photo.

In addition, several clinic workers revealed to investigators that the procedure began with Korovin performing a laryngoscopy, which entails the usage of a device to view a patient's vocal folds. Gastroenterologist Dr. Lawrence Cohen, the director of the clinic who has since resigned from his post, then performed an endoscopy with the purpose of diagnosing why Rivers was complaining of a sore and hoarse throat in recent weeks.

The source went on to explain that after Cohen found something which concerned him in the examination, Korovin proceded to perform a second laryngoscopy to again view River's vocal cords. However, Korovin was only authorized to observe Cohen, as she was not certified by Yorkville Endoscopy clinic, as required by New York health law. At that point in the procedure, Rivers' vocal cords began to swell, leading to oxygen being cut off to her lungs. This led to cardiac arrest. Although the comedian was rushed by paramedics to New York's Mount Sinai Hospital a mile away where she was put on life support, she passed away a week later.

Although Investigators have thus far not found a prior consent form signed by Rivers authorizing Korovin to perform the procedure, it is possible that she did give verbal consent.

As BWW reported yesterday, Korovin has treated many A-list celebrities in the past for vocal issues, including Hugh Jackman and Nathan Lane and singers Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.

Korovin's lawyer sent the following statement to CNN Thursday in response to the reports:

"Gwen S. Korovin, M.D. is a highly experienced, board certified otolaryngologist. She maintains privileges at one of the city's most prestigious hospitals. She is respected and admired by her peers in the medical community and she is revered by her patients.

"As a matter of personal and professional policy, Dr. Korovin does not publicly discuss her patients or their care and treatment. Further, Dr. Korovin is prohibited by state and federal confidentiality laws from discussing her care and treatment of any particular patient.

"For these reasons, neither Dr. Korovin nor her attorneys will have any public comment on recent press reports regarding her practice. We ask that the press please respect Dr. Korovin's personal and professional policy of not discussing her patients, as well as the privacy of her patients."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos