General Practitioners

• Sinusitis
  Adenoidectomy is also a common ENT procedure. While it is often done along with tonsillectomy, an adenoidectomy can also be done as a stand-alone procedure. Adenoidectomy is performed to treat chronic sinusitis in children, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic mouth breathing. It is also helpful for chronic middle ear fluid or infections. For more information on adenoidectomy, please see that section of our website.
• Medical Weight Loss
  EATING – Do not be alarmed if eating is poor up to ten days. There is usually a five to ten pound weight loss in children or adults after tonsillectomy. However, this will be regained after the healing is finished. Jell‐O and popsicles are okay for the first two days, but they are no substitutes for food. As a general rule, let the patient’s taste be the guide. We allow most all foods except those that can burn (spicy or citrus), or scratch (chips, fries). Remember, fluids in the post‐operative period are more important than foods, but food may be eaten as desired.
• Primary Care
  A multi-disciplinary approach is recommended for the treatment of OSAS. This involves a polysomnogram (sleep study), and evaluation by a sleep medicine physician, a primary care physician, and an Otolaryngologist. Treatment may be medical or surgical. The medical options for OSAS include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or an oral appliance. CPAP is a device that is worn over the nose or mouth, and it generates enough airflow to prevent the upper airway from collapsing.
• Ear Infections
  Ear infections can involve the outer, middle, or inner ear. Outer ear infections are called otitis externa. This is sometimes referred to as swimmer's ear, because it can occur after getting moisture in the ear canal. The typical ear infection seen in children and some adults is a middle ear infection. This is referred to as acute otitis media.
• Sleep Disorders
  Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Although the patient is maintaining a continued respiratory effort, there is no airflow due to blockage of the airway. This may be due to nasal obstruction, large tonsils, an enlarged tongue, or excessive redundant throat tissues that collapse during sleep. OSAS is diagnosed with an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram.
• Emergency Care
  BLEEDING – Bleeding is defined as continuous bright red blood from the nose or bright red blood expectorated from the mouth or vomited out. If bleeding occurs, it rarely happens within the first 24 hours. It usually occurs between the 7th to 12th day, but may occur up to two weeks after surgery. About 3‐5% of children and 6‐10% of adults will experience significant bleeding post‐operatively. To help minimize the possibility of bleeding, avoid foods with rough edges, such as pretzels, potato chips, cookies, carrots and spicy foods. Because of the possibility of bleeding, do not leave children home alone during the post‐operative period. If bleeding occurs call our office number (847) 259‐2530. If there are any delays, go directly to the Emergency Room. If bleeding is heavy, call 911. Most often post‐operative bleeding requires a return to the operating room for control.

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  Anne Marie Ditto, M.D. is the first Allergist-Immunologist to join Suburban ENT. She is originally from Rockford, Illinois, graduating from Rockford East High School in 1978. She got her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University, majoring in French and studying her junior year at La Sorbonne in Paris, France. She attended medical school at University of Illinois in Chicago and did a residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University. She completed her Allergy-Immunology fellowship at Northwestern where she remained as a faculty physician for 25 years, training over 100 fellows in Allergy-Immunology. She was also active in teaching residents and students, earning numerous teaching awards.
• Kidney Stones
  There are four parathyroid glands in the neck. As shown in the figure above, they are located behind the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland. They are very small (each the size of a small pea) and they control how much calcium is in the body. Most of the time, the parathyroid glands work perfectly. Occasionally, one or more of the parathyroid glands can become overactive. This causes the body to have too much calcium in the bloodstream, a condition called primary hyperparathyroidism. This can be detected by a simple blood test to determine the level of your bodys calcium and parathyroid hormone (also referred to as PTH). While calcium is important to one's health, too much calcium can produce several unwanted symptoms. These can include muscle and bone pain, osteoporosis, fatigue, weakness, kidney stones, and depression.
• Cervical Cancer
  Tumors of the head and neck are treated by the Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist, also referred to as an Otolaryngologist—Head and Neck Surgeon. Tumors can occur anywhere that is lined with mucous membranes, the moist pink lining inside our noses, mouths, and throats. Some common locations for head and neck cancer include the oral cavity (mouth), tongue, tonsils, and pharynx (throat). Tumors in this region can be benign or malignant (cancerous). The most common cancers of the head and neck are called squamous cell carcinomas. These are usually (but not always) associated with heavy tobacco and alcohol intake. More recently, an association with the human papilloma virus (HPV) has been established. This is the same virus that has been linked to cervical cancer in women.
• Endoscopy
  The diagnosis of a swallowing disorder is often a coordinated effort between many medical specialties. These include the Otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat), Gastroenterologist, Neurologist, and Speech and Language Pathologist. Helpful diagnostic tests such as an upper endoscopy, barium swallow, and/or video swallow are often utilized. The following websites may help you understand your problem.

Psychiatrists

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition with many negative health consequences. The symptoms of sleep apnea include poor sleep, persistent daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and trouble with concentration. OSAS can lead to functional impairment that is comparable to a legally intoxicated individual. More serious medical problems which are associated with OSAS include hypertension, heart disease, ADD/ADHD, stoke, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death.

Endocrinologist

• Hypothyroidism
• Thyroid
• Thyroid Cancer
  There are many types of thyroid cancer, but the three most common include: papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, and medullary carcinoma. In most instances, each of these will require a total thyroidectomy, meaning the entire gland will be removed. Sometimes, a neck dissection will be done in conjunction with the thyroid surgery if there has been any spread of cancer (metastasis) to the adjacent lymph nodes in the neck. Your physician at Suburban Ear, Nose, and Throat has extensive training in both the diagnosis and surgical removal of thyroid cancer.

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  Not infrequently, the thyroid gland develops nodules within it. These nodules are usually identified on routine physical examination, or can be noted on a thyroid ultrasound (a type of imaging). In most cases, thyroid nodules are not tumors, and they do not require surgery. However, thyroid nodules that are found to be tumors will most often require surgical removal. This will be diagnosed by a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. This biopsy is a safe and easy procedure performed with some local anesthesia, either in the office or under ultrasound guidance.
• MRI
  Hemangiomas are bulging bluish-red masses under the skin that can appear as a facial or neck mass. Sometimes, they grow in the airway just below the larynx (voice box), which may create significant breathing problems for a baby (figure 3). Hemangiomas start growing shortly after birth and reach a peak at two years of age. They start to shrink over the next several years. An MRI scan is a helpful imaging study for diagnosing this benign but sometimes troublesome tumor. In addition, a diagnostic bronchoscopy may be done to visualize the hemangioma. This means that, under general anesthesia, a telescope is inserted through the mouth and down into the airway where the hemangioma sits. Steroids may be given in severe situations or surgical intervention utilizing laser technology may be recommended if spontaneous resolution does not occur.
• X-Rays
• Computed Tomography
  If you have been diagnosed with a cancer of the oral cavity or pharynx, it is important to determine the type and severity (stage) of the tumor. The staging will guide your physician at Suburban Ear, Nose, and Throat as to the most appropriate therapy. To confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy will be required. If the tumor easily visualized in the office, the biopsy can be done with some local anesthesia. Tumors that are difficult to reach will usually require general anesthesia to obtain a biopsy. During the biopsy procedure, we will also closely inspect the remainder of the throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and the esophagus because there is a 2-3% chance of having a second tumor in one of these areas. Staging of the tumor will also involve some imaging such as a CT scan, an MRI, or a PET scan. On occasion, special swallowing x-rays will also be obtained.
• Chemotherapy
  Cysts and tumors may also arise from the salivary glands. Cysts that form in the floor of the mouth are also referred to as ranulas. They require surgical drainage, usually in combination with removal of the sublingual gland. Salivary tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Surgical removal is the main treatment for tumors of the salivary gland. A fine needle aspiration biopsy can be done in the office to help with the diagnosis. If the tumor is malignant, radiation and/or chemotherapy may also be used.
• Radiation Therapy
  Poor scarring or poor healing can occur, especially if you have already received radiation therapy. On occasion further surgery is necessary to correct this problem.

Surgeons

• Otolaryngology
  In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, Suburban Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates has instituted new safety guidelines for patients coming in for an office visit. These guidelines, as recommended by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, have been designed to keep our patients and staff safe, while we continue to provide the same level of exemplary care for our patients. We appreciate your understanding and respect for the following policies...
• Reconstructive Surgery
  Byron I. Eisenstein, M.D. joined Drs. Casciaro and Rabinowitz in 1977. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Eye & Ear Infirmary. He then completed fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. After many years offering compassionate care to his patients, he retired in June of 2012.

Plastic Surgeons

• Scar Revision
  POOR SCARRING: As Head and Neck Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgeons also, we strive and normally achieve excellent scar camouflage. The scar is typically placed in a previous existing neck crease. Scars are typically raised, somewhat red and bumpy for three months, but over the next year or so, the scar softens, matures and becomes much less visible. Very rarely poor scarring can occur. In these rare instances, scar revision can be performed.

Dermatologists

• Skin Cancer
  Skin cancer is the most common malignant (cancerous) tumor, and eighty percent of skin cancers occur in the head and neck. The sites at highest risk are the nasal tip, top of the ear, and lower lip. It is well established that ultraviolet light from the sun plays a major role in the development of these tumors. In many cases, skin cancers are preventable with the appropriate use of sunscreen.
• Cyst
• Eczema
  Typical allergens include pollens (trees, grasses, and weeds), dust mites, and molds. An allergic reaction may manifest as skin eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, or sensitivity to a food. Rarely, allergic reactions can be severe or even life-threatening. Allergy is associated with an increased risk of developing recurrent ear infections, sinus infections, throat problems, and voice disorders. This can seriously affect one's quality of life. Therefore, it is worthwhile to determine whether allergies are present. This information is obtained through allergy testing, a service provided by Suburban Ear, Nose, and Throat. Indeed, better control of allergies is an integral part of treating many of the diseases of the ears, nose, and throat.
• Lesions
  Lymphangiomas are the result of an abnormal collection of lymph channels in the body. Extensive collections of fluids from these channels form cysts known as lymphangiomas or cystic hygromas. These cysts are not cancerous but by there invasive growth can cause significant cosmetic deformity. These lesions are evaluated by physical examination and MRI scan. Sclerosing agents injected into these cysts can help reduce the size by scarring the channels followed by surgical removal, which can be extensive.

Physical Therapists

• Physical Therapy
  Spinal Accessory Nerve: depending on the type of neck dissection performed, you may have temporary or permanent weakness to your shoulder. Sometimes it is required that the spinal accessory nerve be removed as a planned part of the neck dissection in order to optimize eradication of the cancer. The spinal accessory nerve gives strength to your shoulder muscles, allowing shrugging and full raising of your arm. Shoulder pain can occur after removal of this nerve, but it can be managed with post-operative physical therapy. Even when the spinal accessory nerve is preserved, up to 50% of patients may experience temporary shoulder weakness and/or discomfort.
• Shoulder Pain

Allergists

• Allergies
  Suburban Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates is proud to offer comprehensive environmental allergy treatment. This will include a complete head and neck examination, fiberoptic telescopic examination of the nose (if appropriate), allergy testing, and when necessary, spirometry to assess lung function for patients with asthma. We will test you for a number of common inhalant allergens including pollens for trees, grasses, and weeds; animal dander; dust mites; and molds. Dr. Anne Ditto, our board certified allergist, will make recommendations based on your allergy evaluation.