Otolaryngology is the specialty that treats ear, nose, throat and related head and neck structures. Doctors trained in this specialty are also known as ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians.부산이비인후과
Mayo Clinic otolaryngologists are pioneers in advanced surgical treatments, such as through-the-mouth laser microsurgery. They treat disorders that affect three of the five senses: sound, smell and taste.
Ear Infections
Ear infections are among the most common reasons children see a doctor. They often occur along with upper respiratory infections, like a cold. A swollen middle ear canal causes fluid to build up, creating a microbe-friendly environment for bacteria and viruses.
Young children are more likely to get ear infections because their eustachian tubes, which drain the ears and equalize air pressure, are shorter and horizontal, making it harder for fluid to drain. They also have less developed immune systems.부산수면클리닉
When repeated ear infections damage the eardrum or other structures in the ear, they can cause permanent hearing loss. NIDCD-supported researchers are developing vaccines against the bacteria and viruses that most commonly cause ear infections. In addition, they are investigating ways to prevent fluid buildup in the ear, called glue ear.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is noise that seems to be coming from your ears, but has no external source. It may sound like ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, or clicking. It can be constant or intermittent, steady or pulsating, in one or both ears, and it can vary in pitch.
Your doctor will take your medical history, give you a physical examination, and possibly do other specialized tests. He or she will also ask you about your medications, supplements, and whether you’ve been exposed to loud noises.
Sometimes the tinnitus is caused by a disorder of the muscles that control the inner ear, or by certain tumors in the head and neck. Other times the tinnitus results from blood vessel problems, such as high blood pressure or atherosclerosis; chronic conditions such as diabetes, migraines, thyroid disorders and anemia; and autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis.
Ear Tubes
Ear tubes can help children who have recurrent middle ear infections. These infections cause fluid buildup behind the ear drum, which leads to hearing loss and other symptoms. Children who have three or more episodes of otitis media with effusion in six months may benefit from ear tube placement.
The procedure is done in a hospital or surgery center. Your child will receive general anesthesia and a mask to breathe oxygen through during surgery. The doctor will use a microscope to make a small opening, drain the fluid and put in the tube.
You will need to keep your child’s ears clean and dry unless instructed otherwise. This means no swimming, bathing or soaking the ears in water (except for ear drops). If the ear tubes fall out prematurely, your child may need another surgery to repair the hole in the ear drum.
Myringotomy
A myringotomy is a surgical procedure performed by an ear, nose and throat specialist to drain fluid accumulation in the middle ear. Fluid build-up can cause pressure, pain and a loss of hearing. A tube (tympanostomy tubes) is inserted into the hole to prevent it from closing and allow fluid to continue draining. This helps to equalize pressure in the ear and can also help to reduce recurring ear infections.
The otolaryngologist uses a laser or sharp instrument to make a small opening in the eardrum to drain fluid. Once the ear is drained, a grommet will be placed to prevent the incision from closing and to help maintain drainage.
While most children need this treatment, adults can also suffer from middle ear fluid build-up and experience significant benefits from myringotomy with tympanostomy tubes. If a myringotomy does not provide symptom relief, patients should seek a second opinion.
Neck Surgery
Often, otolaryngologists will only suggest neck surgery once you’ve tried non-surgical treatment and your symptoms persist. Your neck or cervical spinal column has squares of bone (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other with shock absorbers (discs) in between. The spinal cord sits behind these and sends nerves to your arms and legs.
The most common surgical procedure for neck pain is an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. This is when your surgeon makes an incision in the front of your neck and removes a herniated disk that may be pinching a nerve or spinal cord. Then the surgeon puts a piece of bone (your own or a bone graft from another person) in between the vertebrae and fuses them together. This will usually help relieve the pain, but not always improve arm symptoms.