Otorhinolaryngology

What is otorhinolaryngology?

Despite the false belief that it only deals with the ear (Para mies esto no es necesario), otorhinolaryngology is a field that focuses on the nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx, cervical and craniofacial structures, oral cavity, neck and salivary glands, as well as treating disorders of the sense of smell, voice, swallowing and balance.

This speciality offers a medical-surgical approach to the treatment of pathologies related to the auditory, olfactory, gustatory and balance systems. At Quirónsalud we use the most advanced technology to carry out your diagnosis, detecting existing pathologies as early as possible.

What does otorhinolaryngology study?

Otorhinolaryngology is a broad speciality and therefore studies a range of different organs or disorders to offer a specific approach in each case. The main subspecialties include:

• Otology, otoneurology and audiology: in this area, the ENT specialist focuses on the care and treatment of ear diseases and hearing disorders.
• Rhinology: deals with pathologies of the nose, paranasal sinuses and the base of the skull.
• Laryngology, voice and swallowing disorders: in this branch, otolaryngologists specialise in lesions of the throat, pharynx, larynx (vocal cords) and cervical oesophagus.
• Neck: Any mass (lump) in the neck must always be assessed by an Otorhinolaryngologist, who must reach a diagnosis and decide how to treat it.

Surgery of the thyroid and parathyroid glands is also part of the ENT specialist’s field of work.

• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery: The otorhinolaryngologist is specifically trained to perform facial plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty, otoplasty, blepharoplasty, facelift, Forehead reduction surgery and so on are all therapeutic techniques that are part of the Otorhinolaryngology speciality.

The resection of skin tumours of the head and neck and subsequent reconstruction are procedures also performed by ENT specialists.

• Paediatric otorhinolaryngology: addresses all problems related to the nose, ears, and mouth, snoring or sleep apnoea in children under 14 years of age, including physical facial complexes such as protruding or "bat" ears (stop bullying).
• Vertigo and balance disorders: this unit is responsible for comprehensive diagnosis of inner ear pathologies that cause other disorders such as vertigo, tinnitus, hypoacusis or dizziness.

Which patients is it for?

Otorhinolaryngology is aimed at patients of any age with hearing or balance disorders, neck masses, sleep disturbances caused by apnoea or snoring, speech problems, swallowing difficulties, or complaints of the auditory, gustatory or olfactory system.

Techniques, procedures and diagnostic methods

Given that the techniques and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of ENT pathologies have evolved greatly thanks to technological advances, we can now approach any disease you may have much more specifically. Some of the most prominent procedures include:

• Robotic Surgery, minimally invasive transoral surgery, to treat head and neck cancer, as well as snoring and sleep apnoea conditions.
• Cochlear, middle ear and bone anchored hearing implant surgery when conventional hearing aids or sonotones cannot be used for whatever reason.
• LASER and Radiofrequency surgery.
• Facial plastic surgery: Rhinoplasty, otoplasty, blepharoplasty, facelift, forehead reduction surgery
• Facial paralysis, surgeries and procedures for comprehensive treatment.
• Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty: this is surgery to correct deformities of the nasal septum and nasal bones or to completely reconstruct the nasal septum.
• Otoplasty, corrects deformities of the ears.
• Monitored cervical thyroid and parathyroid surgery.
• Zenker’s diverticulum endoscopic surgery, which avoids opening the neck and subsequent scarring. Also, patients are able to eat by mouth the very next day.
• Sialoendoscopy: treatment for chronic salivary duct obstruction that involves the introduction of an endoscope through the duct to remove what is blocking the gland and prevent its removal.
• Advanced endoscopic nasal surgery, in collaboration with Neurosurgery for brain tumours (skull base, pituitary gland), through the nose without scars or visible deformities. Eustachian tube treatment (dilatation) for diving and aviation problems.
• Otoscopy and otomicroscopy: this test involves using an instrument with a magnifying lens and a beam of light to visually explore the outer ear and the eardrum.
• Audiometry: a test that assesses the hearing ability to perceive sounds of different pitches and intensities, and determines the patient’s hearing thresholds and intelligibility (ability to understand words).
• Impedanciometry: a test to determine how well the middle ear functions when it perceives a sound.
• Diagnostic tests and treatment for vertigo, instability and dizziness (v-hit, videonystagmography, etc., vestibular rehabilitation)
• Adenoidectomy: surgical technique to remove the adenoids, also known as vegetations.
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