Brad DeSilva, MD

Research interests

• Benign Vocal Fold Lesions
• Laryngeal Papilloma
• Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction/Hypertrophy
• Zenker's Diverticulum
• Vocal Cord Paralysis

Research Projects

Additional Research

• A Prospective, Non-randomized Study to Evaluate Dysphagia Outcome Following Complex Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery Necessitating ENT Assistance
  This study will examine outcomes and risk factors for postoperative dysphagia in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) patients whose cases required ENT surgical assistance due to complexity.
• Prospective Analysis of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block for SLN Neuropathy
  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the superior laryngeal nerve block in improving cough symptoms and to identify predictors of which patients are most likely to benefit from the injection.
• Investigating Demographic Contributors to Spasmodic Dysphonia
  This study will examine how demographic factors, including ethnicity, occupation, and socioeconomic status, relate to the development of spasmodic dysphonia in adults.
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital Respiratory Tract Biorepository
  To collect and store biospecimens to support current and future basic science and translational research focused on the respiratory tract.

Current Research

• Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction and Esophageal Diverticulum: A Prospective, Multi-Institutional Study
  A prospective, multi-institutional surgical dysphagia outcomes for Zenker’s esophageal diverticulum.
• Medialization Laryngoplasty in Immunosuppressed Patients
  To evaluate the benefits and complications of medialization laryngoplasty in patients on immunosuppressive therapy, identifying any predictors of poor outcome or increased complication rate.
• Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction: Analysis of Treatment and Outcomes
  This study aims to evaluate the identification, treatment, and outcomes of patients with RCPD at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to assess current practices and improve future standards of care.
• Comparing the Current Treatment Options for Neuropathic Cough
  This study will review charts of patients with neuropathic cough at OSU to identify which pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments most effectively improve quality of life.
• Development of an Adult Laryngeal Papilloma Tissue Cell Line and Mouse Model
  This study will use tissue from laryngeal papilloma patients at OSU to develop cell models, identify genetic alterations, and explore new therapeutic options to reduce recurrence and improve management.
• Voice Outcomes Following Transcutaneous Steroid Injection for Vocal Fold Nodules Combined with Voice Therapy Compared to Voice Therapy Alone
  We are studying whether patients have better voice outcomes when they undergo a steroid injection to their vocal fold nodules or polyps prior to voice therapy compared to those patients that only go through voice therapy. The hypothesis is that patients that undergo a steroid injection first may have reduced inflammation and lead to better voice outcomes/quicker recovery.
• Development of an Adult Laryngeal Papilloma Tissue Cell Line and Mouse Model
  We are working to develop a tissue cell line with benign laryngeal papilloma that we can potentially perform drug testing on this cell line to see if we can improve adjuvant treatment options for laryngeal papilloma aside from surgery alone. Small specimens of benign laryngeal papilloma are being used from patients that are already undergoing surgery to remove their laryngeal/vocal cord papilloma.
• Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction and Esophageal Diverticulum: A Prospective, Multi-Institutional Study
  This study includes many other medical centers around the country where we are looking at the best surgical approaches for treating patients with cricopharyngeal dysfunction/hypertrophy and Zenker’s diverticula.
• Utility of Imaging Studies in Patients Diagnosed with Vocal Cord Paralysis
  We are studying the cost and benefit of imaging studies (CT scan, MRI scan, chest x-ray) performed in patients that are diagnosed with vocal fold paralysis when the etiology of their hoarseness and vocal fold paralysis is unknown.
• Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder (PVFMD) in the Athlete
  We are studying the outcomes of all athletes (adult and pediatric) that have been diagnosed and treated for paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder. These patients have shortness of breath and have difficulty exerting. We are also studying the use of asthma medications prior to diagnosis of PVFMD and how this medication use changes after diagnosis and treatment for PVFMD. This study is combining adult and pediatric patients that are seen at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
• Laryngeal Sensory Neuropathy and Chronic Cough
  We are studying the use of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Blocks (Injections) to help treat and cure patients with chronic neuropathic cough.
• Spasmodic Dysphonia
  We are performing population studies to better understand who is diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, possible inciting events that lead to developing spasmodic dysphonia, and reducing barriers to treatment that may exist.

Awards and Honors

• The Ohio State University Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology Faculty Educator of the Year Award 2010
• Gahanna Lincoln High School Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee 2012
• Inducted to the Courage to Teach Society at Ohio State University’s College of Medicine April 2016
• Exceptional Physician Peer Award Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center May 2016
• Gahanna Lincoln High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee September 2021
• Top Doctors in Otolaryngology, Castle Connolly 2017 - 2021