Still coughing after COVID?

Especially early on after contracting the virus, coughing may serve to clear secretions from resolving lung inflammation. While such a cough may help lungs return to health, eventually, it can start to annoy or even severely affect quality of life. The diagnosis can be sensory neuropathic cough and can be caused by “damaged,” or “sensitized” sensory nerve endings in the trachea, larynx, or throat. These “wild” nerve endings go “ZING!!” and demand that you cough. For more, see https://laryngopedia.com/covid-19-coughing/

In a recently published photo study on Laryngopedia, Dr. Bastian takes a look at a mycobacterium abscessus infection of the larynx. Symptoms can include trouble breathing or a harsh voice. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Are you experiencing shortness of breath that your doctors can’t explain? You may have the Gasping Syndrome! Go to laryngopedia.com/the-gasping-syndrome and read Dr. Bastian’s newly published article on this unusual disorder.

In August one of our staff members, Sandy Meloy, celebrated 10 years with Bastian Voice Institute!  Sandy joins our other staff member, Tiffany Schroeder, in this great achievement.  Sandy started part-time working on insurance approvals and eventually became a full-time member of our team working both the Front Desk and in our back offices.  We are so glad she is a part of BVI; here’s to another 10 years!

RRP is a devastating chronic infection of the larynx and sometimes trachea caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).  Until recently,  RRP was thought to “always” be caused by “low risk” subtypes 6 and 11.  More than 25 years ago, Dr. Bastian disputed this truism, and he and Dr. Richardson have been routinely HPV-subtyping each new patient.  They learned that other subtypes could cause the same clinical scenario as types 6 and 11.  And it appeared that persons with low-risk subtypes could be followed on an “as needed” basis according to voice needs, while higher-risk subtype patients should be followed on a strict schedule.  Recently, their new colleague, Dr. Rebecca Hoesli, with logistical help from physician assistant Melissa Wingo, created a study from their large database of subtypes.  One result is to formally dispel the common notion that RRP is “always” caused by HPV subtypes 6 or 11.  (They found 11 different subtypes.)  Another is to propose to colleagues who manage this disease that knowledge of specific HPV subtypes can inform clinical management of this disease.   To read the entire article, See also https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0194599820931817

Initially described by Dr. Bastian (and his first R-CPD patient, on Reddit: no-burp https://www.reddit.com/r/noburp/), inability to belch can cause the severe symptoms of socially-awkward gurgling noises, bloating, and excessive flatulence, etc.  BVI clinicians Bastian and Smithson (Wingo) published a report of the first 51 such patients, all treated successfully with Botox injection into the upper esophageal sphincter.  (See https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2473974X19834553)  Drs. Bastian and Hoesli have now published the first known report of a surgical solution to this problem:  cricopharyngeus myotomy.  For more information, see https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2473974X20917644.

The Bastian Voice Institute remains open during the shelter at home order.  We are open to seeing patients with urgent need in-person here at the office.  We also offer telehealth visits for those patients who would prefer to speak to a clinician remotely.  Feel free to call the office 630-724-1100 to schedule an appointment.

We would like to welcome Melissa Wingo, MS, PA-C to the Bastian Voice Institute family as our new Physician’s Assistant! Melissa will be assisting both Dr. Bastian and Dr. Richardson, and we are so excited to have her as a part of our team.

In June 2017, Dr. Bastian spoke at a Chicago Master Singers event in Palatine, IL on “How To Protect Your Vocal Health.” Drawing from his experience both in music and in the otolaryngology field, he provided an overview of the anatomy of the voice and vibratory mechanics of the vocal cords and then explained what can go wrong especially in persons who are using their voices extensively, and how to detect and respond to injury when it is early and easily-reversible.