LVPG EAR, NOSE AND THROAT

LVPG EAR, NOSE AND THROATLVPG Ear, Nose and Throat Street offers comprehensive care for a wide range of disorders of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality care for our patients. We specialize in the following disorders:

Ear – including hearing problems, ear infections, balance disorders, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing) and some cranial nerve disorders.

Nose – including allergies, problems with smelling, sinus infections and obstructed breathing.

Throat – including diseases of the larynx (voice box), upper aero-digestive tract disorders, esophageal disorders, voice disorders and swallowing disorders.

Structures of the head and neck – infectious diseases, benign and malignant tumors. We have expertise in advanced head and neck surgical oncology, including minimally invasive robotic surgery and microvascular reconstruction.

We offer comprehensive care for a wide range of disorders of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality care for our patients.

Specific conditions our providers treat include:

• Acute and chronic sinusitis

• Hoarseness and voice disorders

• Tympanic membrane perforation

• Hearing loss

• Deviated septum and nasal disorders

• Dizziness and vertigo

• Head and neck cancer

• Vocal chord disorders

• Swallowing disorders

• Earwax buildup

• Nasal fracture

• Nosebleeds

• Oral cancer

• Otitis media (middle ear infection)

• Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)

ENT/Otolaryngology services we provide include:

• Endoscopic sinus surgery

• Myringotomy with or without tube placement

• Excision of salivary glands

• Excision of oral lesions

• Laryngoscopy

• Lymph node biopsy or excision

• Nasal septum surgery (septoplasty)

• Nose plastic surgery (rhinoplasty)

• Diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer

• Tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy – adult and pediatric

• Tracheotomy

• Stapedectomy and ossiculoplasty

• Mastoidectomy

• In-clinic balloon sinuplasty

• Minimally invasive robotic surgery

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUEWe have four convenient locations so we can address your concerns as quickly as possible.

LVPG Ear, Nose and Throat–Muhlenberg

LVPG Ear, Nose and Throat–Palmer Township

LVPG Ear, Nose and Throat–Pond Road

We offer the most comprehensive Allergy Assessment Program in the region.

Our Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Clinic treats your condition in conjunction with Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute.

Our Vocal Cord Disorder Program, is the most comprehensive in treating patients in the entertainment field and other professions where the voice plays a crucial role.

We provide comprehensive care for hearing and conditions related to the ear.

Head and Neck CancerLVPG Ear, Nose and Throat treats head and neck cancer with a multidisciplinary clinic in conjunction with Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute, which is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance. This gives you access to groundbreaking, lifesaving cancer care and breakthrough clinical research right here in the Lehigh Valley. LVHN patients have access to MSK clinical trials. This accelerates the data-collection process so investigational treatments can be approved faster and become available to more patients.

There are many types of head and neck cancer. Here’s an overview of the types and which areas they affect:

• Cancer of the hypopharynx. Cancer cells are found in the tissues in the bottom part of the throat, behind the voice box.

• Cancer of the nasopharynx. Cancer cells are found in the tissues of the upper part of the throat, behind the nose.

• Cancer of the oropharynx. Cancer cells are found in the back of the middle part of the throat.

• Cancer of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity. Cancer cells are found in the tissues in the small hollow spaces around the nose, known as the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity. The nasal cavity is just behind the nose.

• Cancer of the salivary gland. Cancer cells are found in the salivary glands. These glands are found just below the tongue, on the sides of the face in front of the ears, and under the jawbone. There are also salivary glands in different parts of the upper digestive tract.

At LVHN, we treat cancers of the head and neck aggressively with a combination of the latest techniques in radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery, including robotic surgery. Your LVHN team will include an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and nurse navigator, who helps connect patients with social workers, financial coordinators, genetic counselors and other members of the cancer support team. Aggressive treatment by our experienced team is often successful even when the cancer is very advanced.

VOCAL CORD DISORDERSNearly everyone has experienced the occasional sore throat from a common cold or reaction to seasonal allergens. Even losing your voice after a night at a concert or a hot sports match is not uncommon. But when your voice becomes raspy, hoarse, deep, or you have trouble breathing or coughing, it may be time to see a laryngologist. And if you’re in the entertainment business or in a field where using your voice is critical, it’s especially important.

LVPG Ear, Nose and Throat laryngologists focus on conditions of the throat, larynx and pharynx. The larynx, also known as the voice box, is critical to voice production and breathing. Diseases of the larynx and neighboring structures can lead to voice and breathing problems.

Among the conditions a laryngologist can help treat and diagnose are vocal cord disorders. A vocal cord disorder is a problem with pitch, volume, tone and other qualities of the voice. This condition may occur when the vocal cords don’t vibrate normally. Signs of a vocal cord disorder include prolonged or chronic laryngitis, the presence of vocal nodules or vocal polyps, as well as vocal cord paralysis and spasmodic dysphonia, which is a neurological disorder affecting voice muscles.

CHRONIC SINUSITISSinusitis is an infection of the lining of the sinuses near the nose. These infections most often happen after a cold or after an allergy flare-up. Chronic sinusitis infection happens with repeated or poorly treated acute infections. These symptoms last eight weeks or longer.

The sinuses are cavities, or air-filled pockets, that are near the nose passage. The sinuses make mucus. This fluid cleans the bacteria and other particles out of the air you breathe. A sinus infection can happen after a cold. The cold inflames the nasal passages. This can block the opening of the sinuses and lead to infection. Allergies also can cause the nasal tissue to swell and make more mucus and cause sinusitis.

Other conditions that can lead to sinusitis include:• Abnormalities in the structure of the nose• Enlarged adenoids• Diving and swimming• Tooth infections• Nose injury• Foreign objects that are stuck in the nose• Secondhand smoke

If mucus drainage is blocked, bacteria may start to grow. This leads to a sinus infection, or sinusitis. The most common viruses and bacteria that cause sinusitis also cause the flu or certain kinds of pneumonia.

HEARING LOSSHearing loss is a medical disorder that affects nearly 36 million adults in the United States. Many things can cause impaired hearing. Conditions that can contribute to hearing loss include tinnitus, presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) and hereditary causes. Older people are the largest group affected by hearing loss. The contributors range from excessive noise, drugs, viral or bacterial infections, head injury or head tumors, stroke and heredity. One in three older adults over age 60 has hearing loss. Nearly half of people ages 75 to 85 have hearing loss.

One in three older adults over age 60 has hearing loss. Nearly half of hearing loss.

TREATMENT FOR HEARING LOSS In some people, hearing loss can be surgically corrected. For others, medical devices and rehabilitation therapies often can help reduce hearing loss. LVPG Ear, Nose and Throat offers a well-established hearing aid dispensary service.

To determine the exact cause of your hearing loss, and how it can be managed, contact your health care provider for a complete medical exam. If you think you have hearing loss, answer these questions suggested by the National Institutes of Health:

• Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?

• Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?

• Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?

• Do you have to strain to understand conversation?

• Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?

• Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?

• Do many people you talk to seem to mumble or not speak clearly?

• Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?

• Do you hear a ringing, roaring or hissing sound a lot?

If some of these concerns seem familiar to you, you may want to see one of our ear, nose and throat specialists.

ALLERGIESPatients age 5 and older who experience allergy symptoms, such as chronic rhinitis, nasal congestion and post-nasal drainage, can now be evaluated at LVPG Ear, Nose and Throat in Allentown for reactions to airborne environmental allergens. We have the most comprehensive allergy assessment program in the region.

SKIN TESTING The full-service environmental allergy program offers testing panels for pollens, grasses and molds specific to northeastern Pennsylvania, as well as dust mites. The gold standard of allergy skin testing, which involves a prick test on the surface of the skin and subcutaneous testing (an injection of the diluted allergen), is available. It can detect a patient’s sensitivity to these common inhalants.

LVPG’s allergy program tests for food allergies or stinging insects, such as bees, wasps or yellow jackets, which require a more complex testing procedure.

SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT Testing for airborne environmental allergies in winter is advised so that a treatment plan can be implemented before the spring, when airborne environmental allergens are in full force. If patients test positive, “the first line of defense is always avoidance,” Kriesel says. Reducing exposure to grasses by avoiding them, or dust mites with protective pillowcases and mattress covers, can often alleviate symptoms enough to prevent patients from requiring treatment.

Still, many patients can benefit from immunotherapy, which is covered by most insurance plans. Patients are given very small doses of the allergen by injection in the office twice a week, which gradually modifies the body’s overreactive immune response. “Allergy shots can take four to six months to reach maximum

effectiveness,” Kriesel says.

Over an average of two to three years, the injection schedule is eventually modified to once a week, then to a once-monthly maintenance dose, depending on the patient’s tolerance and response. The long-term commitment on the patient’s part can be worth it.

“Immunotherapy offers patients the ability to live here without having to take a bunch of medications, which don’t always completely treat all of their symptoms,” Kriesel says.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications and steroid injections are also available for patients who are not candidates for immunotherapy or don’t want to get it. “We treat based on patients’ preferences and their best options,” Kriesel says.

Testing for airborne

environmental allergies in winter is advised.

A treatment plan can be implemented before the

spring, when airborne environmental allergens

are in full force.

Niketu Patel, MD Medical training: Eastern Virginia Medical School Otolaryngology residency: Geisinger Medical Center Board certification: Otolaryngology

Karen Shemanski, DO Medical training: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Otolaryngology residency: Rowan University School of Osteopathic

Mausumi Syamal, MD Medical training: Wayne State University School of Medicine Otolaryngology residency: Henry Ford Health System Board certification: Otolaryngology

MEET OUR TEAM

Robert DeDio, MD Medical training: New York University School of Medicine Otolaryngology residency: University of Pennsylvania Hospital Board certification: Otolaryngology

Hilary Koprowski, MD Medical training: University of Maryland School of Medicine Otolaryngology residency: University of Maryland Medical Center Board certification: Otolaryngology

Kevin Kriesel, MD Medical training: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School General surgery residency: University of Wisconsin–Madison Otolaryngology residency: University of Wisconsin–Madison Board certification: Otolaryngology

Paul Lemberg, MD Medical training: Brown University School of Medicine Otolaryngology residency: Northwestern University/McGraw Medical Board certification: Otolaryngology

Physician Assistant Training: Pennsylvania College of Technology

Chetan Nayak, MD Medical training: Temple University School of Medicine General surgery residency: University of Maryland Medical Center Otolaryngology residency:

University of Maryland Medical Center Head and Neck Surgery/Microvascular Reconstruction Fellowship: University of Miami–Miller School of Medicine Board certification: Otolaryngology

Brice Ambron, PA-CPhysician assistant training:Pennsylvania College of Technology Gregory Brown, PA-CPhysician assistant training: The Ohio State UniversityMaster’s Physician Assistant Studies: DeSales University

Andrew Ferretti, PA-CAudiology trainingUniversity of FloridaOtolaryngology residency: AudiologyBoard certification: OtolaryngologyPhysician assistant training:DeSales University

Holly Gawel, PA-CPhysician assistant training: Muhlenberg CollegeMaster’s Physician Assistant Studies: Marywood University

Wendi Hontz, PA-CPhysician assistant training: DeSales University

Lauren Popivchak, PA-CPhysician assistant training: University of the SciencesMaster’s Physician Assistant Studies: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

MEET OUR TEAM

LVPG Ear, Nose and Throat–Palmer Township

LVPG Ear, Nose and Throat–Pond Road

LVPG Ear, Nose and Throat–Muhlenberg

Shelby Favre, AuDAudiology Training: Salus University

Jessica Jenkins, AuDAudiology training: University of FloridaOtolaryngology residency: Audiology

Lisa Lower, PA-CAudiology training: Bloomsburg UniversityBoard certification: Otolaryngology

Carolyn McGinnis, MSAudiology training: Bloomsburg UniversityBoard certification: Otolaryngology

Kate O’Brien, AuDAudiology training: Salus University

Tasha Reck, AuDAudiology training: Indiana UniversityGeneral surgery residency: Audiology

Meredith Sellix, PA-CPhysician assistant training: Marywood University

COME VISIT USOur locations listed below