Dr. Thomas C. Spalla, MD
Ear-Nose and Throat Doctor (ENT)
2799 W Grand Blvd 8th Floor - Otolaryn Detroit MI, 48202About
Dr. Thomas Spalla is an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor, also known as an otolaryngologist, practicing in Detroit, MI. Dr. Spalla specializes in diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat as well as other parts of the head and neck. Such structures an ENT may work on include the sinuses, larynx (voice box) and mouth in addition to the ear, nose and throat. There are seven areas of expertise that an ENT might specialize in, and these are: allergies; facial reconstructive surgery; head and neck; laryngology; otology/neurotology; pediatric otolaryngology; and rhinology.
Board Certification
OtolaryngologyAmerican Board of OtolaryngologyABOto
Provider Details
Dr. Thomas C. Spalla, MD's Expert Contributions
Is it safe to clean my ears with hydrogen peroxide?
PATIENT INFORMATION Dos and Don’ts of Earwax (Cerumen) ABOUT THE AA0-HNS/F The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents about 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The AAO-HNS Foundation works to advance the art, science, and ethical practice of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery through education, researach, and lifelong learning. The organization’s vision: “Empowering otolaryngology–head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care.” www.entnet.org SOURCE: Adapted from Schwartz SR, Magit AE, Rosenfeld RM, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline (Update): Earwax (Cerumen Impaction). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;156(1_suppl):S1-S29. Know that earwax (cerumen) is normal. Earwax that does not cause symptoms or block the ear canal should be left alone. Don't over-clean your ears. Too much cleaning may bother your ear canal, cause infection, and may even increase the chances of earwax impaction. Understand symptoms of earwax impaction (wax blocking the ear): decreased hearing, fullness, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and distortion/changes to hearing aid function. Don't put cotton swabs, hair pins, car keys, toothpicks, or other things in your ear. These can all injure your ear and may cause a cut in your ear canal, poke a hole in your ear drum, or hurt the hearing bones, leading to hearing loss, dizziness, ringing, and other symptoms of ear injury. Ask your provider about ways you can treat your earwax impaction at home. You may have certain medical or ear conditions which may make some options unsafe. Don't ignore your symptoms if home remedies are not helping. Seek medical attention if your symptoms do not go away. Don't forget to clean your hearing aids as the manufacturer and your hearing health professional recommend. Seek medical attention if you have ear pain, drainage, or bleeding. These are not symptoms of earwax impaction, and need to be checked out by your health care provider. Don't irrigate or try earwax-removing/softening drops if you’ve had previous ear surgery or a hole in your ear drum unless cleared to do so by your ear, nose, and throat surgeon (otolaryngologist). See your health care provider if you have symptoms of hearing loss, ear fullness or ear pain if you are not certain they are from earwax. Otitis media (fluid behind the ear drum), otitis externa (ear canal infection) and sudden inner ear hearing loss can seem like an earwax impaction. Don't use ear candles. Ear candles do not remove earwax and can cause serious damage to the ear canal and drum. PATIENT INFORMATION Ways to Help Reduce Earwax Buildup ABOUT THE AA0-HNS/F The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents about 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The AAO-HNS Foundation works to advance the art, science, and ethical practice of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery through education, researach, and lifelong learning. The organization’s vision: “Empowering otolaryngology–head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care.” www.entnet.org SOURCE: Adapted from Schwartz SR, Magit AE, Rosenfeld RM, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline (Update): Earwax (Cerumen Impaction). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;156(1_suppl):S1-S29. HELPFUL PREVENTION CHOICES: 1. Physically removing earwax by health care provider 2. Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide drops or irrigation 3. Irrigation with bulb syringe or irrigation kits 4. Earwax softening drops/agents Don't do/use: 1. Ear Candling 2. Putting any objects in the ears (i.e. cotton-tipped swaps; pens/pen tops; paper clips) 3. Daily olive oil drops or sprays READ MORE
I am experiencing a mild itching sensation inside my throat. Could it be a food allergy?
It is possible that you're suffering from an allergy. In these situations, when there is exposure to fruits, the mild itching in the throat that you're experiencing could be due to an allergy to pollen residue left on the fruits and vegetables. There is a possibility that there could be a mild intrinsic allergy to one of the fruits themselves. Wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly prior to eating them. If symptoms persist or become troublesome, I recommend that you see an allergist. READ MORE
Can nasal sprays be addictive?
Over the counter nasal sprays with decongestants such as oxymetazoline are addictive. The nasal lining (mucosa), with continued use of these medications, will change over time and require more and more of these types of medications in order to decongest the nose. This creates a vicious cycle which is difficult to break. I recommend your husband see an otolaryngologist to help break this cycle and find the underlying cause of his nasal congestions and a safer solution to relieve him of this issue. READ MORE
How are boils inside the nose treated?
The boils inside your nose to which you are referring likely represents a condition called folliculitis which is a localized bacterial infection of the hairs inside the nostril (nasal vestibule). To avoid them, do not pick or tweeze these hairs and avoid putting your fingers, or other objects, in your nose which may lead to contamination. Apply warm compresses to the region initially followed by an antibiotic ointment. If the problem is not improving despite this, and certainly if the problem is worsening (increased swelling, redness, pain, or any drainage), make an appointment with an otolaryngologist as antibiotics or drainage may be warranted. READ MORE
Histopathology report of tonsillectomy
The pathology report does not sound unusual to me. Salivary glands are found throughout the oral cavity and oropharynx. Perhaps there was a small amount attached to the tonsil specimen along the muscular folds which encase the tonsils. READ MORE
Lump in cheekbone under eye
This is really difficult to say without seeing you or examining a radiologic study. If you can feel it, it's in the soft tissues of the face and not truly located within the cheekbone (zygoma). The lump could represent an accessory parotid (salivary) gland or even an intraparotid lymph node. Benign salivary gland tumors, cysts, and areas of scar in the gland from prior infections are also possibilities. READ MORE
There is a watery secretion from my ears. What could it be?
This does sound like earwax known as cerumen. The glands can produce different viscosities of wax some of which can be more runny in some people. Remember not to clean your ear canals with cotton swabs and other implements to avoid traumatizing the canal which may result in an infection or may push the wax in further. READ MORE
Can I have reduced taste sensation during a sinus infection?
Yes, this is a definite possibility. During a sinus infection, patients often experience a decrease or loss of sense of smell which, thankfully, fully recovers in most situations. During a decrease in sense of smell perception, patients often notice that the sense of taste is diminished as well. The nerves that allow a person to taste are distinctly different than the nerves of the sense of smell, however, and that is why the basic taste senses (sweet, salty, bitter, sour, umami) are preserved. READ MORE
What is the process to confirm a cancerous lesion?
Cancer may be suspected based on history, physical examination, and radiologic studies. However, a cancer diagnosis requires some form of tissue sampling in order to solidify the diagnosis. Depending on the type and location of the lesion, many techniques are available to obtain the tissue in question. READ MORE
Why is my tongue hurting and burning?
Tongue pain and burning can be a symptom of a yeast infection of the mouth, as you indicated, and at times the classic findings of white patches may not be apparent. There are other viral and bacterial infections that can cause tongue pain and burning as well. Additionally, gastric reflux can result in these symptoms. There are some systemic diseases as well as nutritional deficiencies that could lead to this. Establishing the diagnosis will help guide the necessary treatment for each of these causes. READ MORE
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
To give you a full explanation of the signs and symptoms, I copied a link from Wikipedia which illustrates that even with all the "classic" signs and symptoms of strep throat, clinical criteria alone are only correct in diagnosis strep throat/tonsillitis 56% of the time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centor_criteria READ MORE
Can you get strep throat without tonsils?
Yes, this is certainly possible. Strep, a form of bacteria, can infect nearly any tissue in the body. The tonsils can act as a reservoir for infection, and their removal can help decrease the number and severity of throat infections. However, there is still plenty of lymphoid tissue within the throat that can become infected by this, and other, organism(s). READ MORE
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