Q: In mid-March, my 72-year-old husband had surgery to clear a blockage in his left carotid artery, after which he was very hoarse. Ten days later, he had a light stroke and spent several days in the hospital. Everything seems back to normal except for the hoarseness.
The vascular surgeon sent us to an ENT doctor, who was not able to see anything but suggested giving the condition a while longer to clear up and to see him again in two months. There is no soreness or pain. We have been told by another doctor that a nerve to the voice box loops around the carotid and sometimes gets bruised, clipped or damaged during surgery.
If that might be the problem, why didn't our surgeon say that? Can it be fixed? The condition is becoming quite frustrating, since he is very hard to understand.
Is there anything we should do but wait? A: Vocal-cord injury after carotid surgery is a common occurrence and may last up to six months. I suggest that you allow more time for healing.
If your husband's hoarseness fails to improve within this timetable, seek a second opinion from another otolaryngologist, who can take your husband to another level if further surgery is indicated. Q: I am a 36-year-old white male, and I have these bumps on my testicles. They look like warts, and sometimes they are more obvious than others.
I have yet to get the courage to go to a doctor, as I am quite ashamed and confused. I was wondering if you might give me some insight as to what they are. If I have to go to the doctor, what kind of tests will be run, and what treatment will control them?
You are the only person that I have spoken to about this. A: I advise you to see your doctor. Although I believe that your problem is benign cysts in the testicular skin, it's possible that your "bumps" could be genital warts, for which antiviral medication would be advisable.
Your physician should be able to differentiate between the two conditions and provide drug therapy if it is needed. Write to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave.
, 4th fl., New York, NY 10016. You must be a user to post comments.
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