We have successfully assisted our 700th patient in finding relief from R-CPD, or the inability to burp! Thank you to our patients who shared their success stories on places such as TikTok, Facebook and Reddit. We will continue to offer tele-conversations, in-office consultations, and Botox injections for those who are interested in learning more, or who are ready to find relief. https://buff.ly/2SE7cHo
Babies and older children with this condition are in misery, and so are their parents, with the stress of it all. The answer might be a dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter (Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction, or R-CPD).
Dr. Brent Richardson is one of 4 clinicians at Bastian Voice Institute who together manage a large population of adult patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). RRP is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which in turn stimulates growth of benign proliferative lesions called papillomas, similar to warts. State-of-the-art management remains precise surgical removal of papillomas when the lesions regrow sufficiently to cause hoarseness or rarely in adults, airway obstruction. Looking for a medical alternative to surgery, Dr. Richardson’s ground-breaking pilot study of three patients used an investigational oral anti-viral medication called Brincidofovir. The medication appeared to reduce the amount of disease and prolong the interval to regrowth of lesions in these three patients. Given these encouraging results, further study is needed, because the behavior of RRP is so variable. Dr. Richardson is pursuing the possibility of a larger clinical trial with the drug’s pharmaceutical sponsor and developer. To view the abstract of his study, click this link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00034894211007227
We are grateful to FOX32 for hosting a live interview with Dr. Bastian about R-CPD, or the inability to burp. https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/923486
Over the weekend Bastian Voice Institute was featured in the local news source the Daily Herald. Dr. Bastian discussed R-CPD, or the in-ability to burp, and how it’s treated. Click on the link to view.
We will be closed for Good Friday, April 2nd, and reopen at 8am on Monday, April 5th. We hope you enjoy a happy and safe Easter weekend.
Dr. Bastian makes extensive use of elicitation with his own voice in order to hear the “vocal phenomenology” of a voice under evaluation. He has named one phenomenon he has not heard described elsewhere as mucosal chatter. This post describes mucosal chatter and provides a video that demonstrates it in an injured voice.
In persons with inability to burp (R-CPD), air is forced upwards against an unyielding upper esophageal sphincter (cricopharyngeus muscle). Over time, this constant pressure appears to stretch or dilate the esophagus. Go to (https://laryngopedia.com/r-cpd-symptoms) for an impressive photo study of this finding.
Before considering anything else (like vocal cord implants), first adopt a DIY voice building strategy as described here by Dr. Bastian. This can be done at home in just minutes per day!