Otolaryngology — Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery
Conditions We Treat
Earwax (Cerumen Impaction)
Earwax (also known as cerumen) is produced by special glands in the outer part of the ear canal and is designed to trap dust and dirt particles keeping them from reaching the eardrum. Usually the wax accumulates, dries, and then falls out of the ear on its own or is wiped away. One of the most common and easily treatable causes of hearing loss is accumulated earwax. Using cotton swabs or other small objects to remove earwax is not recommended as it pushes the earwax deeper into the ear, increasing buildup and affecting hearing. Excessive earwax can be a chronic condition best treated by a physician.
Go to Detail PageEsthesioneuroblastoma
Although a less common cancer relative to others in this part of the body, esthesioneuroblastoma also has very peculiar patterns of growth and spread. It can have varying levels of aggressive behavior. By looking at cancer cells under a microscope physicians can predict how it will behave in some people. They are also locally aggressive, but can present in lymph nodes in the neck either at the first sign of symptoms, or years later. Treatment focuses on treating the areas where disease is found, and sometimes in areas where disease may occur later in life.
Go to Detail PageFacial Paralysis
Facial paralysis happens when injury or pressure affects the facial nerves. Conditions like Bell's palsy (usually caused by a virus) can cause temporary or permanent damage to one or more of the facial nerves, causing a droop on the affected side of the face with problems closing the eye and controlling saliva.
Go to Detail PageGenetic Hearing Loss
An autosomal recessive trait is characterized by having parents who are heterozygous carriers for mutant forms of the gene in question but are not affected by the disorder. The problem gene that would cause the disorder is suppressed by the normal gene.
Go to Detail PageGeriatric Rhinitis
With aging, the physiology and function of the nose changes. The nose lengthens, and the nasal tip begins to droop due to weakening of the supporting cartilage. This in turn causes a restriction of nasal airflow, particularly at the nasal valve region (where the upper and lower lateral cartilages meet). Narrowing in this area results in the complaint of nasal obstruction, often referred to as geriatric rhinitis.
Go to Detail PageGoiter
Goiter refers to an enlarged thyroid gland. A goiter can develop in one or both sides of the thyroid gland.
Go to Detail PageGraves’ Disease
Graves' disease causes the thyroid gland to become overactive. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body fights against itself and causes the thyroid gland to become overactive.
Go to Detail PageHead And Neck Cancer
There are many types of head and neck cancers, including cancers that occur in the mouth, those that affect the nasal passages and other area cancers, including thyroid and parathyroid cancers. Treatment depends on the type, location and size of the cancer. Each year, more than 55,000 Americans will develop head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancers are curable if caught early.
Go to Detail PageHearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is a form of hearing loss where the transmission of sound from the environment to the inner ear is impaired, usually from an abnormality of the external auditory canal or middle ear.
Go to Detail PageHives
Hives are an allergic reaction that causes red, swollen, itchy patches of skin that appear either in one area of the body or all over. Generally, the reaction is to an allergen like food or medication. Foods that commonly cause hives in children include nuts, eggs, and milk. Bug bites, viral infections and sun exposure can be triggers as well, but some hives appear and disappear without a known cause.
Go to Detail PageHoarseness
Hoarseness (also called dysphonia) is an abnormal change in the quality of your voice, making it sound raspy, strained, breathy, weak, higher or lower in pitch, inconsistent, or fatigued, often making it harder to talk.
Go to Detail PageHuman Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted virus. Many different subtypes of the virus exist, and it usually affects the throat or the reproductive tract.
Go to Detail PageHyperthyroidism
In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is producing too much hormone. This excess of thyroid hormone causes the body's metabolism to be overactive.
Go to Detail PageHyposmia and Anosmia
Hyposmia is a decreased sense of smell, or a decreased ability to detect odors through your nose. Anosmia is the inability to smell anything.
Go to Detail PageLabyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is a disorder associated with inflammation of the inner ear. The labyrinth is a fluid-filled compartment that consists of the cochlea and the vestibular organs.
Go to Detail PageLaryngeal (Voice Box) Cancer
Laryngeal cancer is a type of throat cancer that develops in the voice box (larynx), which contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when air is directed at them. Using tobacco products and drinking alcohol can raise the risk of laryngeal cancer.
Go to Detail PageLaryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)
During gastroesophageal reflux, the contents of the stomach and upper digestive tract may reflux all the way up the esophagus, beyond the upper esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle at the top of the esophagus), and into the back of the throat and possibly the back of the nasal airway. This is known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), which can affect anyone. Adults with LPR often complain that the back of their throat has a bitter taste, a sensation of burning, or something stuck. Some patients have hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, throat clearing, and difficulty with the sensation of drainage from the back of the nose (postnasal drip). Some may have difficulty breathing if the voice box is affected. Many patients with LPR do not experience heartburn.
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Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a condition where lymph fluid builds up in body tissues, causing swelling. This is a common outcome following treatment for head and neck cancer.
Go to Detail PageMénière’s Disease
Ménière’s disease (also called idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops) is one of the most common causes of dizziness originating in the inner ear.
Go to Detail PageNasal Fractures
A broken nose, or nasal fracture, can significantly alter your appearance. It can also make it much harder to breathe through your nose.
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