ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)

Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases (ENT) is the medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose, sinuses, throat (pharynx), larynx and related structures in the head and neck region.

What is Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases?

Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of health problems affecting the ear, nose, throat, sinuses, pharynx, larynx,and related structures in the head and neck region. This department, also known as ENT for short; deals with essential functions such as hearing, balance, breathing, smell, swallowing and voice.

This field covers the evaluation of infections, functional disorders, structural problems and various other health conditions that arise in these regions. Because the ear, nose and throat are anatomically interconnected, complaints in these areas are often evaluated together.

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What Diseases Does Ear, Nose And Throat (ENT) Treat

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) is a department that deals with the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of many diseases affecting the ear, nose, throat, head and neck regions. ENT is a broad medical specialty that covers diseases involving many connected structures. Diseases that are diagnosed and treated in this department are as follows:

Ear Diseases

Ear infections, hearing problems, balance disorders and various conditions affecting the structure of the ear are evaluated.

Middle ear infection (otitis media): Generally, it is seen in children frequently. Fluid accumulation in the middle ear can cause symptoms such as infection, pain, fever and hearing loss.

Outer ear infection (otitis externa): It is an inflammation of the ear canal. It can develop especially after swimming, staying in humid environments or irritation of the ear canal. Pain, itching and discharge can be seen.

Ringing in ear (tinnitus): It is hearing of ringing, buzzing or humming sounds in the ear without an external sound. It may not be a disease on its own; it can also appear as a symptom of various different ear conditions.

Hearing Loss: It can be congenital or it can develop later. Earwax buildup, infections, middle ear problems, inner ear damage or age-related changes can cause hearing loss.

Meniere disease: It is a disease that affects inner ear and can cause dizziness episodes, feeling of fullness in ear, ringing and hearing loss.

Earwax blockage (cerumen blockage): Excessive buildup of earwax that blocks the ear canal can lead to hearing loss, a feeling of fullness and sometimes dizziness.

Ruptured eardrum: It can develop after infections, trauma or sudden pressure changes. It can cause pain, discharge and hearing loss.

Nose Diseases

The diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the internal structures of the nose, the sinuses and nasal breathing are carried out.

Sinusitis: It is the inflammation of sinus cavities. Sensation of pressure in face, headache, nasal congestion, postnasal drip and reduced sense of smell may occur.

Nasal congestion: It may not be a disease on its own; it can result from causes such as allergies, infections, nasal turbinate enlargement, polyps or septal deviation.

Allergic rhinitis: It develops due to allergens such as pollen, dust, mites or animal dander. Sneezing, nasal discharge, itching and congestion are the most frequent symptoms.

Nose polyps: They are soft tissue growths that develop on the inner surface of the nose and sinuses. They can cause nasal congestion, loss of smell and recurrent sinus problems.

Nasal septum deviation (curving of nose bone): It is curving of the structure that divides the inside of the nose. It can cause problems such as difficulty breathing, one-sided nasal blockage, and snoring.

Nasal bleeding (epistaxis): It can develop due to causes such as nasal dryness, trauma, infection, high blood pressure or vascular sensitivity.

Chronic rhinitis: It is the condition of long-term irritation or infection of tissues inside the nose. It may be accompanied by persistent congestion, nasal discharge and postnasal drip.

Throat Diseases

Diseases related to the throat, tonsils, pharynx, vocal cords and swallowing function are evaluated.

Pharyngitis (throat infection): It presents with symptoms such as burning, pain, dryness in the throat and discomfort during swallowing. It can develop due to viral or bacterial reasons.

Tonsillitis (Tonsil infection): It is the inflammation of tonsils. Throat ache, fever, difficulty in swallowing and malaise can occur.

Laryngitis (vocal cord infection): It is the irritation or infection of vocal cords. It may present with hoarseness, a feeling of throat irritation and difficulty speaking.

Reflux-related throat irritation: Due to the backflow of stomach contents, symptoms such as burning in the throat, a sensation of something stuck, cough and hoarseness may develop.

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): It is the feeling of having difficulty swallowing solid or liquid foods. It may be related to certain problems in structures near the throat, pharynx or esophagus.

Snoring and sleep apnea: It can develop due to narrowing or obstruction in the upper respiratory tract. It can disrupt sleep quality and may cause breathing pauses in some patients.

Head And Neck Diseases

The glands, lymphatic structures and masses in the head and neck region are evaluated.

Thyroid Diseases: Enlargement of the thyroid gland, nodules or structural changes may be observed. An evaluation may be necessary, especially when a swelling in the neck is noticed.

Lymph node infections: Palpable swellings in the neck may develop due to infections. The cause and follow-up of this condition may require ENT evaluation.

Salivary gland diseases: Salivary gland stones, infections, swelling or secretion problems may develop. Pain and swelling can occur especially while eating.

Head and neck tumors: Benign or malignant masses that develop in the mouth, throat, larynx, salivary glands and neck region fall within the field of ENT.  

 

What Diseases Does Pediatric Ear, Nose And Throat (ENT) Treat?

Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases (ENT) deals with the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat and head-neck disorders in children. A large portion of these diseases are similar to those seen in adults. However, because children’s immune systems, anatomical structures and developmental processes are different, the frequency and effects of these diseases may vary.

What Are The Tests Performed In Ear, Nose And Throat (ENT) Department?

Tests in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department are diagnostic methods used to determine the cause of complaints related to the ear, nose, throat, sinuses, voice, balance, swallowing and the head and neck region. 

The tests performed may vary depending on the patient’s complaints. Different evaluation methods are used for conditions such as hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, nasal congestion, sinusitis, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or sleep problems. These tests can sometimes be performed during a simple examination, while in other cases more detailed investigation may be required. Primary tests applied in ENT are as follows:

• Audiometry (hearing test): It is performed to measure the hearing level and the degree of hearing loss.
• Pure tone audiometry: It measures the hearing threshold at different frequencies to determine the degree of hearing loss.
• Tympanometry: It is used to evaluate the movement of the eardrum and the middle ear.
• Acoustic reflex test: It measures the reflex response of the middle ear muscles to sounds.
• Otoacoustic emission (OAE) It is used to evaluate the function of the inner ear (cochlea).
• Brainstem audiometry (BERA/ABR): It evaluates the auditory pathways up to the auditory nerve and brainstem.
• Vestibular tests (balance tests): It is performed to evaluate the balance system and the cause of dizziness.
• Videonystagmography (VNG): The balance system is analyzed through eye movements.
• Positional tests: It is used to evaluate dizziness developed related to head movements.
• Nasal endoscopy: It is used to examine the inside of the nose and the nasopharyngeal area in detail.
• Laryngoscopy: It is performed to visualize the larynx and vocal cords.
• Flexible Endoscopic Examination: The nasal, throat and laryngeal regions are examined in detail using a flexible device.
• Sinus culture: Condition of sinuses and presence of infection are examined.
• Olfactory tests: The function of the sense of smell is evaluated.
• Gustatory test: It is performed to analyse changes in sense of taste.
• Swallowing tests: Swallowing function and coordination are evaluated.
• Sleep-related ENT evaluations: Upper airway problems that cause snoring and sleep apnea are examined.
• Voice analysis tests: Voice quality and the functioning of the vocal cords are evaluated.
• Biopsy: Sample is collected from suspicious tissues and pathological examination is performed.
• Imaging methods (CT, MRI, US): Ear, sinuses and head-neck structures are imaged in detailed.

What Are The Treatment Methods In Ear, Nose And Throat (ENT) Department?

Treatment methods in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department consist of medical and surgical procedures planned according to the underlying cause of diseases affecting the ear, nose, throat, sinuses and head and neck region. The main treatment methods include:

Medical Treatments

It is the first-line treatment method for most ENT diseases and helps control symptoms.

Medical Treatment

Antibiotics, antihistamines, painkillers and nasal sprays may be used in the treatment of conditions such as infections, allergies, inflammation and pain.

Local treatments

Targeted treatments such as ear drops, nasal sprays or throat sprays are used to directly reach the affected area.

Allergy treatments

In conditions such as allergic rhinitis, symptoms are controlled through allergen avoidance and medication therapy.

Interventional and Supportive Treatments

These are treatment methods that do not require surgery but involve direct intervention.

Ear cleaning (Cerumen removal)

It is the safe cleaning of the earwax occluding the ear canal by a physician.

Treatments for hearing loss

Hearing function can be improved through the use of hearing aids or other hearing support methods.

Balance treatments

Medication and special maneuvers may be used for dizziness and balance problems.

Position maneuvers

In cases of inner ear-related vertigo, it helps reposition the balance crystals to their correct location.

Voice therapy

These are supportive applications that help ensure proper voice use in cases of hoarseness and vocal cord problems.

Swallowing rehabilitation

These are applications aimed at improving swallowing function in patients with difficulty swallowing.

Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Methods

These are methods that provide both diagnosis and treatment options through minimally invasive interventions.

Endoscopic applications

The nasal, sinus, throat and laryngeal regions are examined in detail using endoscopic methods and in some cases treated as well.

Minimally invasive interventions

These are procedures that involve less tissue damage and offer a more comfortable recovery process.

Surgical Treatments

It is performed in cases where medication is insufficient or structural problems are present.

Nose and Sinus Surgery

It includes the surgical correction of conditions such as septal deviation, nasal obstruction and sinusitis. In this context, procedures such as septoplasty (nasal septum surgery), rhinoplasty (nasal aesthetic surgery) and endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) may be performed.

Tonsil and Adenoid Operations

It is the removal of the tonsils and adenoids in cases of frequent infections, snoring and breathing problems. These procedures are performed as tonsillectomy (tonsil surgery) and adenoidectomy (adenoid surgery).

Ear Surgeries

It is the surgical treatment of problems related to the eardrum, middle ear and hearing system. In this context, ear tube insertion, tympanoplasty (eardrum repair) and middle ear surgeries (including cholesteatoma and ossicular repairs) may be performed.

Vocal cord and larynx surgeries

It is used in the treatment of nodules, polyps or masses on the vocal cords. In advanced cases, more extensive procedures such as laryngectomy (larynx surgery) may also be required.

Head and neck surgeries

It includes the surgical treatment of masses in the salivary glands, thyroid and neck region. This includes salivary gland surgeries and procedures for the removal of tumors/cysts.

Sleep apnea surgeries

It includes surgical interventions targeting the base of the tongue, soft palate, and nasopharyngeal area to relieve upper airway obstructions.

Tracheotomy

It is the procedure of placing a tube into the trachea through the neck to keep the respiratory tract open when needed.