Dr. Diego A. Preciado

Alexander Hillel specializes in the medical and surgical management of patients who have scar tissue blocking their larynx and/or trachea, a condition called laryngotracheal stenosis. This condition occurs in patients who have had prolonged intubation, an autoimmune disease or a rare disease called idiopathic subglottic stenosis. He also treats patients with voice and throat problems, including spasmodic dysphonia and swallowing difficulty. After he earned his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Hillel completed his residency in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a fellowship in laryngology and airway surgery at the Emory Voice Center. Dr. Hillel directs a laboratory that seeks to better understand why scar forms in the larynx and trachea. In an effort to improve treatment, he and his team investigate the relationship between the immune system, bacteria and other antigens and scar formation in the airway. He has led a number of clinical trials to improve treatment for subglottic stenosis, including the first interventional study for idiopathic subglottic stenosis. Researchers in Dr. Hillel’s lab are also testing drugs that may halt the progression of, or reverse, scar formation, and they have engineered a drug-eluting stent that is being tested to translate to patients with subglottic stenosis. He holds sponsored grants to conduct his research from the National Institutes of Health, surgical foundations and the medical device industry. In addition to clinical and research work, Dr. Hillel has a leadership role within the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, serving as the vice director of education. Dr. Hillel is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Subglottic Stenosis. His top areas of expertise are Spasmodic Dysphonia, Subglottic Stenosis, Perichondritis, Laryngectomy, and Endoscopy.

Kevin Motz is fellowship-trained in laryngology and sleep medicine. His clinical practice focuses on the management of airway and voice disorders, with a particular emphasis on the management of laryngotracheal stenosis and idiopathic subglottic stenosis. Additionally, Dr. Motz sees patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), offering surgical and nonsurgical approaches to care. His research interests include investigating immunologic mechanisms promoting fibrosis in laryngotracheal stenosis. Specifically, he is focused on determining how innate and adaptive immune cells influence fibroblast activation, function and, ultimately, wound healing in the larynx and trachea. In addition, Dr. Motz is exploring identifying unique physiologic biomarkers in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, which may predict a successful response to non-CPAP therapies. Dr. Motz is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Subglottic Stenosis. His top areas of expertise are Subglottic Stenosis, Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Gastrostomy, and Laryngectomy.

Elizabeth Guardiani is an Otolaryngologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Guardiani is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Subglottic Stenosis. Her top areas of expertise are Laryngeal Nerve Damage, Spasmodic Dysphonia, Vocal Cord Dysfunction, Thyroidectomy, and Laryngectomy. Dr. Guardiani is currently accepting new patients.