About

Brad DeSilva, MD, is a physician and professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. His expertise is in otolaryngology, with a particular focus on voice, swallowing, sinonasal, and thyroid/parathyroid disorders. He provides both medical and surgical treatment options, working within a multidisciplinary team to develop tailored and targeted treatment plans for his patients. Dr. DeSilva emphasizes helping patients make informed decisions about their care by discussing all available treatment options and their important aspects. His academic and research interests include treatment outcomes of patients with benign vocal fold lesions such as nodules and polyps, laryngeal papilloma, and surgical approaches for cricopharyngeal dysfunction and Zenker’s diverticulum. He also investigates treatment outcomes for vocal fold paralysis and paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder. Dr. DeSilva has contributed to prospective studies evaluating dysphagia outcomes following complex anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery, the effectiveness of superior laryngeal nerve blocks, and demographic factors influencing spasmodic dysphonia. His research extends to developing tissue models for laryngeal papilloma and analyzing treatment options for neuropathic cough, aiming to improve patient care and outcomes in otolaryngology.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Surgery
• Anesthesia
• Physical therapy
• Pediatrics

Selected publications

• Prospective Study of Long‐Term Outcomes and the Patient Experience With Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block for Chronic Cough

  The Laryngoscope · 2025-10-06

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To characterize long-term response rates to the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) block in a prospective fashion. Secondary objectives are to provide objective data to answer common pre-procedural questions and to identify factors that predict injection outcomes. METHODS: Prospective study from April 2021 to August 2024 of adult patients with refractory chronic cough undergoing SLN block. Response was measured via a yes/no question about improvement, cough severity index (CSI), and a 1-10 Likert scale grading cough impact on quality of life (QoL) taken at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6-9 months post-injection. RESULTS: One hundredtwenty-two patients were injected for cough, representing 249 injections. At 2 weeks after injection, 63.1% endorsed improvement on yes/no questioning ("initial improvers"), with significant improvement in both CSI and QoL scores (p < 0.001 for each). Of the initial improvers, 53.2% reported ongoing symptom improvement at long-term follow-up (6-9 months). Improvement occurred at an average of 4.3 days after injection and averaged 4.1 months in duration. 72.1% of improvers reported their degree of improvement as "a lot" or "completely." Side effects occurred in 44.2% of injections and were typically mild. No cough feature or clinical factor significantly predicted a positive response to the SLN block. CONCLUSION: This prospective assessment indicates that nearly 2 in 3 refractory chronic cough patients respond positively to SLN block, with ~50% of these initial improvers endorsing ongoing improvement at long-term follow-up. Average duration of benefit is 4 months, and side effects are common. Predictive factors of a positive response to SLN block remain undefined.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Development of a National Laryngology Fellowship Curriculum: Standardizing Fellow Education

  The Laryngoscope · 2025-09-29

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVES: To describe the development of the Laryngology Fellow Online Curriculum (LFOC) for fellowship education and review its impact on standardizing the educational experience for Laryngology fellows. METHODS: Surveys were completed from 2020 to 2024 by Laryngology fellows upon their fellowship graduation and completion of the LFOC. Outcomes measured included overall rating of the curriculum, knowledge gaps filled, degree of engagement with the Laryngology community, and opportunities for collaboration. Laryngologists who completed the LFOC were recruited to complete a separate survey 1-3 years post fellowship graduation on their experiences with the curriculum and academic development. Faculty laryngologists and fellowship directors completed surveys measuring their experiences with teaching within the LFOC, their career academic development, and their insights into knowledge gaps within their own fellowship programs. RESULTS: One hundred and nine Laryngology fellows and seventy six Laryngology faculty participated in the LFOC from 2020 to 2024. 89.5% of fellow graduates gave the curriculum an excellent rating (8-10/10), while 94.7% of academic laryngologists and 84.6% of fellowship directors felt the LFOC would have improved their training. Graduates (92.9%) reported that the LFOC allowed them to engage more with the Laryngology community. 82.1% of the LFOC graduates responded that the curriculum provided education on topics that were not readily available in their training program. 69.2% of participating fellowship directors identified knowledge gaps in their own training programs. CONCLUSIONS: The LFOC created an interactive learning environment that bridged knowledge gaps, fostered a sense of community among the Laryngology fellows, and allowed for collaboration with peers and academic laryngologists. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Predictive Efficacy of <scp>CAPE</scp> ‐V, <scp>pVHI</scp> , and <scp>CVA</scp> in Detecting Vocal Fold Pathology in Children

  The Laryngoscope · 2025-09-16

  article

  OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V), Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI), and computer-assisted voice analysis (CVA) against flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy in a pediatric cohort. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 116 children (4-18 years) underwent same-day CAPE-V, pVHI, CVA (Visipitch), and flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy at a tertiary pediatric voice clinic. Encounters were classified as dysphonia evaluation versus vocal fold surveillance, and age was grouped as preschool (≤ 5 years) versus school-aged (> 5 years). Diagnostic performance was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), and optimal cutpoints by the Youden index. Multivariable logistic regression-adjusted for age category and encounter type-modeled odds of abnormal endoscopic findings. RESULTS: CAPE-V demonstrated the highest individual accuracy (AUC 0.827; p = 0.0034). Combined use of CAPE-V, pVHI, and CVA yielded superior discrimination (AUC 0.846; sensitivity 0.886; specificity 0.771; positive predictive value 0.886; negative predictive value 0.771). Dysphonia encounters had lower odds of abnormal findings compared to vocal fold surveillance (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.02-0.36). School-aged children had lower odds of pathology than preschoolers (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.03-0.09). Peak sensitivity occurred at Age 7; the probability of abnormal findings declined with increasing age. CONCLUSION: CAPE-V is a robust single-test predictor of pediatric vocal fold pathology, and integration with pVHI and CVA enhances diagnostic accuracy. A tiered, age-tailored screening algorithm beginning with CAPE-V may optimize referral pathways and improve early detection of vocal fold pathology while preserving laryngoscopy as the diagnostic standard. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 (retrospective cohort study).

  PublisherDOI

• Dysphagia Outcomes in Zenker Diverticulum: A Longitudinal <scp>POuCH</scp> Study

  The Laryngoscope · 2025-08-19 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: Patients with cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction (CPMD) with and without diverticula (e.g., Zenker Diverticulum) often struggle with dysphagia for years prior to diagnosis or intervention. Surgical treatment is successful; yet, there is limited long-term data on dysphagia outcomes after surgery. METHODS: Individuals prospectively enrolled in the Prospective Outcomes of Cricopharyngeal Hypertonicity (POuCH) collaborative with and without diverticula who underwent surgery from November 2014 to August 2024 and had at least 12 months of follow-up were included. Eating Assessment Tool 10 (EAT10) was used to characterize patient-reported outcomes. Descriptive statistics were performed using means, frequencies, and spaghetti plots. RESULTS: Of 164 patients initially identified, 2 withdrew and 2 were excluded for incomplete data; 160 were included. 31% were women, with a mean (SD) age of 70.1 (11.5). Endoscopic surgery (113, 71%) was more common than open technique (47, 29%). 19.4% of patients had undergone previous surgery. Postoperatively, patients were found to have improved EAT-10 scores, with smaller changes recorded after 36 months. Median change in EAT-10 compared to preoperative score was -12 points [IQR: -18, -5] at 12 months. 39 (24%) patients were followed for > 24 months (median change -11 [IQR: -14, -7]); 26 (16%) > 36 months (-9.5 [-17, -5]), and 12 (7.5%) > 48 months (-4 [IQR: -18, 4]). Six patients died during the study period. CONCLUSION: Improved dysphagia after surgery appears stable with minimal change over time. Most patients (96.3%) survive at least 1 year. Surgical intervention for patients with CPMD with or without diverticula is an effective and reliable treatment option.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Surgical Nonresponders in Zenker Diverticulum and Lower Esophageal Pathology (<scp>POUCH</scp> Collaborative)

  The Laryngoscope · 2024-07-09 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To identify characteristics of patients who have poor improvement in symptoms following surgical management of Zenker Diverticulum (ZD). METHODS: Prospective, multicenter cohort study of all individuals enrolled in the Prospective OUtcomes of Cricopharyngeus Hypertonicity (POUCH) Collaborative who underwent surgical repair of ZD between August 2017 and January 2024. Patient demographics, esophagrams, and the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) pre- and post-procedure were obtained from a REDCap database. t-tests, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the characteristics. Patients with <50% improvement in their EAT-10 scores were deemed surgical nonresponders (SNRs). Those with ≥50% improvement in their EAT-10 scores were deemed surgical responders (SRs). RESULTS: A total of 184 patients were prospectively followed after undergoing either open or endoscopic surgical management. Twenty-two patients (12%) were deemed SNRs. Preoperative presence of a hiatal hernia was statistically significant characteristic between the SNRs (63.6%) and SRs (32.1%) (p = 0.004). Size of the ZD and history of previous ZD surgery was not a significant characteristic. The length of stay and complication rate were not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Coexistent esophageal pathology may lead to poor symptomatic improvement following ZD surgery. Preoperative workup of other esophageal disorders is recommended to detect likely SNRs. For SNRs, further esophageal workup may be necessary to evaluate for other esophageal causes related to poor symptomatic improvement following ZD surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:4897-4902, 2024.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block Response Rates in 54 Neurogenic Cough Patients

  The Laryngoscope · 2023 · 18 citations

  • Medicine
  • Anesthesia
  • Surgery

  OBJECTIVE: Neurogenic cough related to hypersensitivity of the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) is often treated with neuromodulating medications, which can cause considerable side effects. An alternative therapy is steroid and local anesthetic injection of the SLN ("SLN block"), initially proposed to benefit those with lateralizing symptoms (tenderness over the thyrohyoid membrane or unilateral cough source). Our objectives are to determine if SLN block produces subjective symptomatic improvements and if repeat injections further improve symptoms, and evaluate clinical factors potentially predictive of response. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 54 patients receiving SLN blocks at a tertiary medical academic center from January 2010 to June 2020. Medical history and anticipated predictors of positive response, including stigmata of laryngeal hypersensitivity, were recorded. Outcomes included symptomatic response, number of injections required, and side effects. Response was defined subjectively by asking patients whether the injection was beneficial and objectively by using CSI scores. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-eight patients (70.4%) endorsed improvement. No variables were identified as positive predictors of response. Thirty-two of the 38 (84.2%) endorsed improvement after one injection. Six of 15 (40%) patients who failed the first injection had positive response to the second. No significant side effects were reported. CONCLUSION: No localizing symptoms, specific cough features, or aspects of the medical history helped predict response, suggesting that a broader range of patients may be offered the intervention. The majority of patients reported symptomatic improvement and repeat injections may benefit patients with initial nonresponse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:2647-2653, 2023.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis disease course in immunosuppressed populations

  The Journal of Laryngology & Otology · 2023-10-25 · 4 citations

  article

  Abstract Objective Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a benign manifestation of human papillomavirus types 6 and 11 in the respiratory tract. Disease is recurrent, and factors predicting these recurrences and severity of disease are incompletely characterised. This retrospective cohort study examined the relationship of immunosuppression with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis morbidity. Methods A retrospective cohort of 97 adult patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis treated at a tertiary referral centre from 2005 to 2020 was conducted. Measures assessed included inter-surgical interval, Voice Handicap Index (‘VHI-10’) and anatomical Derkay scores. Results Bivariate analyses comparing average inter-surgical interval, Voice Handicap Index and Derkay scores in immunosuppressed and healthy patients were insignificant. When controlling for diabetes mellitus and comparing immunosuppressed to healthy patients, inter-surgical interval and Voice Handicap Index change were insignificant ( p = 0.458 and p = 0.465, respectively). Conclusion Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis morbidity for immunosuppressed patients did not significantly differ from that of immunocompetent patients.

  PublisherDOI

• Smoking and Carcinoma Trends in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Patients

  Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology · 2023-03-06 · 2 citations

  article

  Introduction: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a chronic disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by human papillomavirus types 6 and 11. The disease course is characteristically unpredictable, ranging from spontaneous remission to aggressive, recurrent disease. Thus, management is often challenging and requires unique approaches tailored to each individual patient. While recent literature has described risk factors for more aggressive disease, few sources have investigated the impact of smoking on RRP disease course and risk for malignant transformation. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for adult RRP patients evaluated at an academic tertiary care center between 2005 and 2020. A total of 188 patients were identified. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including smoking and alcohol history, HPV subtype, history of dysplasia and/or carcinoma, voice handicap index scores, Derkay scores, debulkings (in office and operating room), and days to papilloma recurrence. Results: Malignant degeneration in RRP occurred in 16.3% of smokers and 3.6% of nonsmokers. Smokers who developed carcinoma had less debulkings per years of evaluation than those not developing carcinoma (0.21 vs 0.92, P = .004). Additionally, patients that either presented with or developed carcinoma during their course had a higher pack-year smoking history (18.0 vs 12.21, P = .0002). No difference in days to recurrence or inter-surgical interval was demonstrated between smokers and nonsmokers. Conclusions: The report demonstrates that smoking can increase the risk of malignant transformation in RRP patients.

  PublisherDOI

• Postoperative Care of Zenker Diverticula: Contemporary Perspective from the Prospective OUtcomes Cricopharyngeaus Hypertonicity (POUCH) Collaborative

  The Laryngoscope · 2023-12-26 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify trends in postoperative management of persons undergoing surgery for Zenker diverticula (ZD) by evaluating length of stay (LOS), diet on discharge, and imaging with or without surgical complication. METHODS: Prospectively enrolled adult patients with cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction with diverticula undergoing surgery from August 1, 2017 to February 1, 2023 were included. Data were extracted from a multi-institutional REDCap database, summarizing means, medians, percentages, and frequencies. Fisher's exact or chi squared analyses were utilized, as appropriate, to compare subsets of data. Descriptive analysis assessed differences in clinical course and the relationship to postoperative management. RESULTS: There were 298 patients with a mean (standard deviation) age of 71.8 (11.2) years and 60% male. Endoscopic surgery was performed in 79.5% (237/298) of patients versus 20.5% (61/298) open surgery. Sixty patients (20.1%) received postoperative imaging, with four leaks identified. Complications were identified in 9.4% of cases (n = 29 complications in 28 patients), more commonly in open surgery. Most (81.2%) patients were discharged within 23 h. About half of patients (49%) were discharged from the hospital on a pureed/liquid diet; 36% had been advanced to a soft diet. In patients without complications, LOS was significantly longer following open cases (p = 0.002); postoperative diet was not different between open and endoscopic (p = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, most patients are discharged within 23 h without imaging. However, LOS was affected by surgical approach. Postoperative complications are different in endoscopic versus open surgery. Complications with either approach were associated with prolonged LOS, need for imaging, and diet restriction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III Laryngoscope, 134:2678-2683, 2024.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Surgical Outcomes in Zenker Diverticula: A Multicenter, Prospective, Longitudinal Study

  The Laryngoscope · 2023-05-16 · 9 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To compare improvement in patient-reported outcomes (PROM) in persons undergoing endoscopic and open surgical management of Zenker diverticula (ZD). METHODOLOGY: Prospective, multicenter cohort study of all individuals enrolled in the Prospective OUtcomes of Cricopharyngeus Hypertonicity (POUCH) Collaborative who underwent surgery for ZD. Patient survey, radiography reports, and the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) pre- and post-procedure were abstracted from a REDCap database, which summarized means, medians, percentages, and frequencies of. Outcome based on operative intervention (endoscopic vs. open) was compared using t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test or chi-square test, as appropriate. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven persons were prospectively followed. The mean age (SD) of the cohort was 68.7 (11.0). Overall, 66% of patients reported 100% improvement in EAT-10; 81% of patients had greater than 75% improvement; and 88% had greater than 50% improvement. Endoscopic was used for n = 109 patients, and open surgical intervention was used for n = 38. The median [interquartile range, IQR] EAT-10 percent improvement for endoscopic treatment was 93.3% [72, 100], and open was 100% [92.3, 100] (p = 0.05). The incidence of intraoperative complications was 3.7% for endoscopic and 7.9% for open surgical management. The median [IQR] in follow-up was 86 and 97.5 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both endoscopic and open surgical management of ZD provide significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes. The data suggest that open diverticulectomy may provide a modest advantage in symptomatic improvement compared to endoscopic management. The data suggest that the postoperative complication rate is higher in the open surgical group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:97-102, 2024.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Laura Matrka

  The Ohio State University

  22 shared

• L. Arick Forrest

  The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

  13 shared

• Ryan Ivancic

  11 shared

• Peter C. Belafsky

  6 shared

• Milan R. Amin

  New York University

  6 shared

• Brandon Kim

  Sibel (United States)

  6 shared

• Lyndsay L. Madden

  Wake Forest University

  5 shared

• Jacqui Allen

  University of Auckland

  5 shared

Awards & honors

• Faculty Educator of the Year Award, 2010
• Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for…
• Gahanna Lincoln High School Hall of Fame Inductee, 2012
• Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list