Otorhinolaryngology

Otology is a branch of medicine which studies the pathology and physiology of the ear. It comprises hearing and vestibular sensory systems and related structures and functions as well as related disorders , diagnosis and treatment. Otology is a subspecialty of otolaryngology which focuses on the diseases of the ear and connecting structures. Otolologists are the only medical specialists who deal with the disorders related to ear and the networking tissues. 

The rhinology unit covers all aspects of noseand sinus disease including allergy, infection, inflammatory conditions and tumours. Rhinology refers to a subspecialty within the field of otolaryngology (ENT) focused on the treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the nasal cavity and sinuses.  This may include allergies, problems with taste and smell, nose bleeds, obstructed nasal airflow, and sinusitis. These disorders are often times initially well managed by a General Ear Nose and Throat physician. However, when the problem persist or become more complex care may require consultation with a Rhinology specialist.

Laryngology is a branch of medicine that deals with disorders and injuries of the vocal system, especially the larynx. The larynx is responsible for sound production and swallowing. It is also the entrance to the windpipe, therefore plays a serious role in the airway. Laryngology is associated with the otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) that deals with illnesses and damages of the larynx, usually called as a voice box. A laryngologist is a specialist with a special interest in voice, airway, and swallowing syndromes involving the voice box and the throat.

Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology is an area specializes in the care of children who have complex problems with the ears, nose and throat. Pediatric otorhinolaryngology offers comprehensive medical and surgical care for newborns, children and adolescents with congenital disorders and infectious diseases. Pediatric otolaryngologists generally provide the services in diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, and throat disorders, and head and neck diseases, surgery of the head and neck, including before and after-surgery care, consultation with other doctors when ear, nose, or throat diseases are detected and assistance in the identification of communication  disorders in children.

Otorhinolaryngological manifestations of pregnancy are myriad. Pregnancy initiates a unique set of physiologic changes in a woman’s body. These changes are commonly manifested as complaints concerning the head and neck. From common findings such as rhinitis and epistaxis, lesions to more rare disorders of the inner ear may be seen .We should be familiar with these conditions for optimal reassurance, expectant management or treatment of the gravid female. It is especially important to be aware of the possible effects of any medication, on the mother and foetus and to consult the treating obstetrician prior to writing any prescriptions. Most of them are benign and self limited.

Molecular genetics is a rapidly expanding field with possibilities for novel diagnostic and treatment strategies for otorhinolaryngological diseases. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is one of the most common disabilities in humans and congenital hearing loss is the most common congenital abnormality in the new born. Genetic factors contribute to about 50–60 % of otorhinolaryngological disorders . Allelic mutations in some genes can cause recessive and dominant mutations in the same gene or may cause syndromic or non-syndromic  hearing loss and allergic reactions.

Laryngoscopy is endoscopy of the larynx, a part of the throat. It is a medical procedure that is used to obtain a view of the vocal folds and the glottis. Laryngoscopy may be performed to facilitate tracheal intubation during general anaesthesia or cardiopulmonary resuscitation or for surgical procedures on the larynx or other parts of the upper tracheobronchial tree.

Tracheostomy is an opening surgically created through the neck into the trachea (windpipe) to allow direct access to the breathing tube and is commonly done in an operating room under general anesthesia. A tube is placed through this opening to deliver an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs. The resulting stoma can serve independently as an airway or as a site for a tracheal tube to be inserted. This tube allows a person to breathe without the use of the nose or mouth. Tracheotomy may cause significant reduction in the administration of sedatives and vasopressors, as well as the duration of stay in the intensive care unit.

Audiology is a division of science that studies hearing balance, and related disorders. Audiology aims to determine whether someone can hear within the normal range, and if not, which portions of hearing (high, middle, or low frequencies) are affected, to what degree, and where the lesion causing the hearing loss is found (outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, auditory nerve and/or central nervous system). Auditory processing disorder(APD) is a group of disorders affecting the way the brain processes auditory information. Insomnia is a common complaint among patients with intractable dizziness , Restless Leg syndrome (RLS) is another important sleep disorder. Reportedly, sleep apnoea is closely related to vestibular dysfunction and Meniere disease.

Otorhinolaryngology cancers are also known as head and neck cancers. They are a group of cancers that affect the soft tissue organs in the head and neck region. The most common head and neck cancer is basal cell cancer of the skin. Cancers that originate in the head or neck usually spread to lymph nodes in the neck before they spread elsewhere. A lump in the neck that persists more than two weeks should be seen by a physician as soon as possible. Utmost cancers in the larynx cause changes in voice and oral cancer (mouth or tongue) cause a sore or swelling that doesn’t go away.

Fungi are plant-like organisms that lack chlorophyll. When the body's immune system is suppressed, fungi find an opportunity to attack the body and a number of side effects arise. Fungal organisms enter the human body through the ear, oral cavity and sino-nasal cavity which leads to fungal infections. Fungal infections in the area of otorhinolaryngology often occur in association with a decrease in the immune function and that indigenous fungi rarely exhibit pathogenicity in the infections. 

Rhinology is the division of science which deals with the study of the nose, including the sinuses. Rhinology concerns itself with medical and surgical diseases of the nasal passages. Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eyeball. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has been proved as suitable for treatment not only for Rhinologic disorders but also for some Ophthalmologic and Neurosurgical conditions. Structures between eye and nose comprise of connective tissue fibers in helical structural arrangements. Due to the interrelated nature of the eye and nose, it is important to recall that, in some cases, the nose may bring the tip-off you need to diagnose an ocular condition or a side effect of a medication, and vice versa for the eye.

The rhinology entity shields all aspects of nose and sinus also the associated diseases like allergy, infections, inflammatory conditions and tumours. Asthma is a common condition due to chronic inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. Inflammatory Diseases like the nasal septum may be involved in a number of systemic inflammatory disorders. Infectious bacteria and fungal organisms can cause additional tissue inflammation and swelling.

Otolaryngology is the branch of medical science which deals with the surgical management and treatment of patients with infections and complaints of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. Otolaryngologists identify and manage diseases of the ears, nose, sinuses, larynx, mouth, and throat, as well as assemblies of the neck and face, cancerous and noncancerous tumors in the head and neck (nose/sinuses, mouth, throat, voice box and upper esophagus), including the thyroid and parathyroid.

Facial cosmetic surgery is a surgical procedure intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is reconstructive in nature. It is devoted to the renovation of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. There are many cosmetic surgery options to improve or change your face and bodies like breast enhancement, facial contouring, facial rejuvenation, body contouring, skin rejuvenation and Plastic Surgery.

Otorhinolaryngology  is a division in medicine that deals with disorders of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and related buildings of the head and neck. Basic pathology involves the diagnostic and forensic tests to identify the causative agents for otorhinolaryngological ailments. Tuning fork tests and free field voice testing (whisper from 40 cm) are collective tests for ear examination. The nasal passage can be inspected by airway conflict and occasionally a sense of smell. It includes looking into the mouth and pharynx. Inspection of throat includes a thorough examination of the oral cavity.

Otorhinolaryngology describes the medical or clinical conditions related to otology, rhinology and laryngology. The common clinical condition in otorhinolaryngology includes acoustic neurinoma, aphonia, cholesteatoma, dizziness, labyrinthitis, Meniere's disease, otitis media, sensorineural hearing loss, voice disorders and Waardenburg syndrome.

Clinical diagnosis is the medical practice made on the basis of information gained by medical history and physical examinationalone, without the benefit of laboratory tests. It describes which disease or complaint defines a person's symptoms and signs. It is most often referred to as diagnosis with the medical context being implicit. The data required for analysis is characteristically collected from a history and physical examination of the person seeking medical care. Diagnosis is a key component of the procedure of a doctor's visit.

Clinical Otorhinolaryngology covers all the aspects of audiology, otology, balance, rhinology, larynx, voice and paediatric otorhinolaryngology, head and neck oncology, head and neck plastic and reconstructive surgery and continuing medical education and otorhinolaryngology training. It also includes the diagnosis, treatment and management of otorhinolaryngological disorders.

Medical and surgical management are available in Otorhinolaryngology. Physicians analyse and manage the infections and ailments of the ears, nose, sinuses, larynx, mouth and throat, as well as structures of the neck and face. Haemostatic management is increasingly important in the field of Otorhinolaryngology. Especially in an ageing population, there is a major part of patients who have drug-induced coagulation abnormalities that require specific strategies before, during, and after surgery to minimize the risk of bleeding or thromboembolic complications.

Neurotology or neuro-otology is a branch of clinical medicine which studies and treats neurological disorders of the ear. It is a subspecialty of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, and is closely related to otology, and also draws on the fields of neurology and neurosurgery. Otology generally refers to the treatment of middle ear disease and resultant conductive hearing loss, whereas neurotology refers to the treatment of inner ear conditions, or hearing and balance disorders. These specialists also work with audiologists and related sensory specialists. Neurotologists are physicians who have specialized in otolaryngology and then further specialized in neurological conditions of the ear and related structures.

A cochlear implant (CI) is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing in both ears. They had been used experimentally in some people who had acquired deafness in one ear after learning how to speak. Cochlear implants bypass the normal hearing process; they have a microphone and some electronics that reside outside the skin, generally behind the ear, which transmits a signal to an array of electrodes placed in the cochlea, which stimulate the cochlear nerve.The procedure in which the device is implanted is usually done under general anesthesia.