Atlanta ENT Offers
Cystic fibrosis is a multi-system genetic disorder that affects the lungs, sinuses, digestive tract and sweat glands. Over 30,000 people in the United States have been diagnoses with cystic fibrosis, and over 700 of those people live in Georgia.
- Diagnostic sweat testing
- Pulmonary function tests
- Coordination of care with other specialists involved in the patient’s treatment plan
- Respiratory care
- Nutritional support services
- Social services support
- Educational support for patients and family
- Latest treatment advances
Two Atlanta ENT Locations to Serve You
Atlanta ENT provides professional and compassionate medical cystic fibrosis services. Dr. Lawrence McKean has over twenty years experience treating adults and children with cystic fibrosis.
Patients are seen by Dr. McKean at the Druid Hills-Executive Park location every three months for regular check-ups and to monitor lung function. Patients with acute exacerbations of pulmonary symptoms are seen on an as needed basis.
Inpatient care for adult patients is provided at DeKalb Medical Center. For children and young adults under the age of 21, inpatient care is provided at the Egleston campus of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
At the Sandy Springs office, Dr. Tritt consults and treats patients with chronic sinus infections that have not been resolved on extensive medical therapy. Dr. Tritt has been performing endoscopic sinus surgery for patients with cystic fibrosis since the 1980s. Sinus surgery is performed on an outpatient basis with medical care provided in coordination with Dr. McKean.
General Information About Cystic Fibrosis
The gene for CF has been identified and codes for a protein called CFTR that transports chloride ions across cell membranes in the affected organs. Defective CFTR function causes decreased clearing of mucous from the sinuses and lungs. This results in chronic infections in the lungs and sinuses. Defective CFTR function also results in plugging of the ducts of the pancreas in 85% of CF patients. The liver also can be affected. Current therapy for CF includes the use inhaled, oral and (when needed) intravenous medications to treat the chronic lung infections. The sinus infections are treated with oral and intranasal medications with the addition of surgery and/or intravenous antibiotics when needed. Patients with pancreatic insufficiency are given pancreatic enzymes with meals to help digest their food.
