- Osteoporosis
- ArthritisOther Disorders: Diseases such as HIV-AIDS, and autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, can make the salivary glands inflamed and painful. Diabetes may also cause enlargement of the salivary glands. Alcoholics may have salivary gland swelling, usually on both sides. Some medications also cause decreased saliva and dry mouth as a side effect.
- SinusitisThe sinuses are air-filled cavities located within the bones around the nose and eyes that allow for air flow and drainage. In Chronic Sinusitis, the sinus linings become swollen (inflamed), preventing natural drainage of the pathways, leading to chronic infections and nasal blockage.
- Medical Weight LossExcessive body weight contributes to snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, in addition to being a major influence on general health and well-being. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs in about 50-60% of those who are obese. A recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics concludes that seven of 10 adults don’t regularly exercise, and nearly four in 10 aren’t physically active. Lack of exercise can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. About 300,000 people in the U.S. die each year from diseases related to inactivity. Proper diet and exercise are the mainstays for a healthy lifestyle, although many Americans turn to costly fad diets and exercise programs that fail to provide weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. The basic tenets to gradual weight loss and good health include developing healthy eating habits and increasing daily physical activity.
- Nutritional Counseling
- Pediatric CareDr. Gartlan is a board certified Otolaryngologist - Head & Neck Surgeon. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He was selected to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Dr. Gartlan has authored numerous medical publications including textbook chapters, and has presented in multiple national medical conferences.
- SnoringDr. Ankit Patel is a board-certified otolaryngologist with special interest in nasal & sinus disease. He has dedicated his career to providing compassionate care to patients with nasal, allergy, and sinus problems. Dr. Patel’s additional clinical interests include pediatric ENT, thyroid disease, snoring & sleep apnea management, and hearing loss.
- Ear InfectionsOtitis media means inflammation of the middle ear. The inflammation occurs as a result of a middle ear infection. It can occur in one or both ears. Otitis media is the most frequent diagnosis recorded for children who visit physicians for illness. It is also the most common cause of hearing loss in children.
- Sleep DisordersDr. Sung Chung has dedicated his career to the compassionate and comprehensive care for patients of all ages with ear, nose, and throat disorders. His clinical interests include the management of hearing loss and chronic ear disease, allergy and sinus disease, pediatric ENT problems, snoring and sleep disorders, thyroid and parathyroid disease, and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
- Family PracticeMany types of doctors treat sinusitis, including general and family practice physicians, pediatricians, and allergists. However, if a patient has chronic sinusitis or does not respond to medical treatment, he or she may be referred to a specialist - an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician, or otolaryngologist.
- Emergency CareA potentially serious or life-threatening complication of thyroidectomy, which can occur rather abruptly, is formation of a hematoma due to bleeding. If you feel that there has been an abrupt swelling or outward displacement of the wound area in the lower neck, or if the neck wound suddenly starts exhibiting more tenderness, redness, bruising or bogginess than you would expect, you need to contact our office immediately. If you feel any shortness of breath, you should proceed to the emergency room as quickly as possible.
- Constipation
- Immunizations
- Kidney StonesGenerally, the body has four parathyroid glands that are normally the size of a grain of rice, two on each side of the neck usually hugging the thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands act like thermostats to keep the calcium level in the blood at the normal level (normal calcium is 8.5-10). Occasionally, one or more of the parathyroid glands become overactive and enlarged causing the blood calcium to be high similar to a bad thermostat. So then the overactive parathyroid gland (defective thermostat) needs to be removed to prevent calcium from being pulled out of the bones (osteoporosis) and spilled into the urine (kidney stones). This is called parathyroidectomy. This requires an experienced surgeon because the parathyroid glands are sometimes not where they are supposed to be (ectopic locations). Sometimes more than one parathyroid gland is overactive (15%) and this requires removing 2 or more parathyroid glands. We draw blood tests for PTH levels during surgery to make sure the surgery is successful. If the overactive parathyroid gland has been correctly removed, then the blood PTH level should drop within 30 minutes during surgery. In this particular video, the patient had a rare condition called parathyroid hyperplasia (3%) where all 4 parathyroid glands are enlarged. In this case, three and a half parathyroid glands were removed. Half a gland is left to prevent the calcium from falling too low.
- EndoscopyWhen patients with sinusitis do not improve after repeated courses of antibiotics and reasonable trials of the other medications used to treat sinusitis, the otolaryngologist may recommend undergoing FESS. The recommendation will also be based upon the physical examination, nasal endoscopy and CT scan findings. The decision to perform surgery should be made only after carefully considering the risks and benefits.
- Multiple SclerosisVocal cord paralysis may be caused by head trauma, a neurologic insult such as a stroke, a neck injury, lung or thyroid cancer, a tumor pressing on a nerve, or a viral infection. In older people, vocal cord paralysis is a common problem affecting voice production. People with certain neurologic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease, or people who have had a stroke may experience vocal cord paralysis. In many cases, however, the cause is unknown.
- Stress ManagementWhile no one believes that stress causes Meniere's Disease, most people with the disease recognize a relationship between stressful events and the recurrence of their symptoms. Many patients believe that stress is a factor in how well they can prevent recurrent attacks and cope with the disruption caused by Meniere’s Disease. Not knowing when the next attack of vertigo may occur is a significant stress all by itself. For these reasons, patients with Meniere’s Disease are advised to manage their stress as much as possible. Professional counseling may be helpful in this regard.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Diabetes Care
- HypothyroidismThyroid glands commonly malfunction and don’t produce enough thyroid hormone (underactive = hypothyroid). The vast majority of these are caused by an inflammation of the thyroid gland called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Less common is a thyroid gland where the body produces too much thyroid hormone (overactive = hyperthyroid). The most common cause is Grave’s disease. Hypothyroidism is easily treated by taking a daily pill of thyroid hormone replacement, most commonly levothyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medications such as methimazole or propylthiouracil (PTU), radioactive iodine (RAI) or surgery to remove the overactive thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s and Grave’s disease are both autoimmune disorders where your body’s own immune system defectively attacks your thyroid gland causing it to produce an incorrect amount of thyroid hormone. A blood test measuring your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is the way to determine if the thyroid gland is functioning normally. Normal reference ranges vary slightly with each lab but a normal TSH range is generally 0.5 to 5. Because the hormones in the endocrine system work based on a negative feedback loop, a high TSH would indicate hypothyroidism (underactive) and a low TSH would indicate hyperthyroidism (high TSH).
- ThyroidThere are two main categories of thyroid disorders that are mostly separate issues. First, the thyroid can produce too little or too much thyroid hormone which is measured by a blood test. Secondly, the thyroid gland can be enlarged (goiter) or lumpy (nodules) which is best evaluated by ultrasound imaging.
- Thyroid CancerIt is estimated that approximately 5-10% of the population has a thyroid nodule that can be felt on exam, and between 30-85% have tiny thyroid nodules that are too small to feel. In most people with thyroid nodules and goiters, the gland produces a normal level of thyroid hormone (euthyroid state). Statistically, approximately 5-10% of nodules are cancerous. Some patients have findings that increase the risk of malignancy. A history of exposure to ionizing radiation (x-rays, nuclear plants) to the neck is such a risk factor, as is a family history of thyroid cancer. Hoarseness and lymph node enlargement can also increase the risk of malignancy. Fortunately, the vast majority of thyroid cancers are treatable and carry an excellent prognosis.
- UltrasoundThyroid ultrasound gives lots of information about the thyroid nodule such as the features of the thyroid gland. Some ultrasound findings are more likely to be benign (not cancer) such as spongiform or cystic (fluid-filled nodule) while other features are more worrisome for malignancy (cancer) such as irregular margins or micro-calcifications. The features seen on ultrasound are rated on a TIRADS scale of one to five, with one being good and five more worrisome. The TIRADS score combined with the size of the nodule determines (based on 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines) whether we advise observation vs. Fine needle biopsy (FNA).
- MRIIn addition to a full ENT exam, other tests may be needed to look for any treatable causes of tinnitus. Hearing tests reveal patterns of hearing loss due to conditions often associated with tinnitus. Often times patients do not have any symptoms of hearing loss, but hearing tests reveal hearing loss in very high frequencies not normally used in everyday conversation. This is often the cause of the tinnitus. Blood tests and imaging scans may also be needed to look for rare, but treatable causes of tinnitus. MRI can reveal acoustic neuromas and other central nervous system conditions. Closed MRI machines are preferred over the open type to provide the optimal scan.
- RadiologyENT Surgical Consultants is Chicagoland’s premier provider of adult and pediatric ear, nose and throat medical care for the past 20 years. Our exceptionally trained, board-certified physicians are unmatched in quality and commitment to patient care. Our comprehensive services include cutting edge ENT surgery and state-of-the-art diagnostic testing. We have an outstanding allergy practice and provide a full range of audiology services including hearing aids. We also have radiology services including CT scanning for our patients.
- X-Rays
- Computed TomographyApproximately one in 10 Americans undergo a Computed Tomography (CT) scan each year in order to detect abnormalities, injuries or diseases. A highly regarded diagnostic imaging tool due to its ability to detect minute differences in tissue as well as its multiplanar reformatted imaging capabilities, CT is used to diagnose conditions of the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, cardiac and vascular system and sinus and temporal bones.
- ChemotherapyFor example, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often given at the same time. Another treatment option is targeted therapy, which is a newer type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to precisely identify and attack cancer cells. The choice of treatment depends on your general health, where in your mouth or throat the cancer began, the size and type of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread.
- Radiation TherapyWhen oral cancer is detected early, it is treated with surgery or radiation therapy. Oral cancer that is further along when it is diagnosed may use a combination of treatments.
- Wound CareThe thyroid is surgically removed through a horizontal incision on the neck approximately two inches long. The incision is closed with dissolving stitches that are underneath the skin and are not visible and will not need removal. The stitches typically take a few months to dissolve. Until the first postop appointment in one week, the incision is covered with steri-strips (tape). The steri-strips will be removed for you in our office in one week with the use of an adhesive remover solution. You do not need to do anything to the incision for the first week. You may shower and get the incision wet 24 hours after your surgery. Once the steri-strips have been removed (a week after surgery), use of Mederma® Scar Cream Plus SPF 30 is recommended twice a day for 2 months for better cosmetic results.
- Minimally Invasive SurgeryDr. Scott DiVenere enjoys treating the full spectrum of patients and their ear, nose, and throat problems. His clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery, pediatric ENT disorders, salivary gland diseases, and sinus disease.
- Ear SurgeryThe first titanium prosthesis was designed in 1994 in cooperation with doctors of the Dominikus Hospital in Dusseldorf. It was based on the years of experience Kurz had in designing and producing gold prostheses. Kurz followed the suggestions of well-known otologists, who introduced the idea of titanium as the material of the future in middle ear surgery. The superiority of the new implant compared to previous middle ear prostheses with respect to biocompatibility, hearing improvement and intraoperative manipulation became evident even in the testing phase. From a long-term perspective, the prosthesis has proven itself, especially in regard to its reliability and safety.
- OtolaryngologyDr. Chung earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Harvard University and is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. His surgical internship and otolaryngology residency was completed at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Hip ReplacementLearning how to hear with a cochlear implant is not a passive process, it takes work. Users who are motivated and work at it will have better results. If a patient has a hip replacement, they need to do physical therapy to recover – along the same lines, to use your cochlear implant to its greatest potential, working to listen actively and use it frequently will help you hear again. With effort you will be rewarded. Users often don’t realize how much they had been missing until they can hear again. Families often remark at how users are engaged in their conversations again for the first time in years.
- Plastic SurgeryENT Surgical Consultants provides University Level ENT care in a community setting. No matter which physician you see in our group, you will be pleased with the medical care you receive. ENT Surgical Consultants offers physicians with fellowship training in Pediatric ENT, Rhinology, H&N Oncology, and Facial Plastic Surgery.
- Otoplasty
- Skin CancerA mass or lump sometimes indicates a serious problem, such as a growth or cancer*. While this is not always the case, the presence of a mass may require FNA for diagnosis. Your age, sex and habits, such as smoking and drinking, are also important factors that help diagnosis of a mass. Symptoms of ear pain, increased difficulty swallowing, weight loss or a history of familial thyroid disorder or of previous skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) may be important as well.
- Cyst
- UlcerYou may take over the counter ibuprofen after surgery for pain. You may take one to three tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain with food to reduce the risk of stomach irritation and ulcer. You will also be prescribed a narcotic pain medication that can be taken along with the ibuprofen if needed. Common side effects of all narcotics include drowsiness, nausea, and constipation. If you have had a total thyroidectomy, you will also be prescribed levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement) to be taken once daily to be taken indefinitely. Patients often have significant drop in their blood calcium levels after total thyroidectomy due to manipulating or “bruising” of the parathyroid glands. You will also be prescribed calcium carbonate which is Tums, 2000mg three times daily as well as calcitriol (Vitamin D) 0.25mcg to be taken once daily at bedtime. These should be started immediately after surgery. It is beneficial to take the calcitriol once daily at bedtime to prevent low calcium levels through the night.
- LesionsBenign Vocal Cord Lesions: Prolonged hoarseness can occur when you use your voice too much, or too loudly for extended periods of time. These habits can lead to nodules, polyps, and cysts. Vocal nodules (singers’ nodes) are callus-like growths of the vocal cords. Vocal cord polyps and cysts also occur in those who misuse their voice, but can also occur in those who do not.
- Physical Therapy
- Neck Pain
- AllergiesOnce you have completed all allergy testing and you and your physician decide allergy drops are the right choice for you, we are able to proceed with treatment.