Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

Otolaryngology (ENT) diseases are among the most common health problems encountered in society. The ENT department, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck regions, provides comprehensive healthcare services to patients of all age groups. The Koru Hospital ENT department aims to improve the quality of life of its patients with its advanced technology-equipped infrastructure and experienced specialist staff.

What Are ENT Diseases?

Otolaryngology diseases have an extremely wide spectrum. These diseases include many different pathologies covering the ear, nose, sinuses, oral cavity, throat, larynx, and neck region. With the development of modern medicine, diagnostic and treatment methods in the field of ENT have made great progress, and recovery times for patients have been significantly shortened thanks to minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Ear Diseases and Treatment Methods

Ear diseases constitute a broad group of conditions covering many different symptoms, from hearing loss to dizziness. Ear infections are extremely common, especially in childhood, and can lead to permanent hearing loss if not treated in a timely manner.

• Otitis Media: This disease, which is frequently seen especially in children, is characterized by fluid accumulation and infection in the middle ear. In recurrent middle ear infections, the insertion of a ventilation tube may be required.
• Chronic Otitis and Cholesteatoma: Long-term middle ear infections can turn into chronic otitis. In cases of cholesteatoma formation, surgical intervention becomes mandatory.
• Hearing Loss: Conductive and sensorineural hearing losses require different treatment approaches. After an audiological evaluation, options such as hearing aids or cochlear implants can be considered.
• Tympanoplasty and Mastoidectomy: Repair of the eardrum and surgical cleaning of the mastoid bone are important surgical procedures applied in the treatment of chronic ear diseases.
• Vertigo and Balance Disorders: Balance disorders such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease, and vestibular neuritis are diagnosed and treated by ENT specialists.
• Tinnitus: Tinnitus can be caused by many different reasons, and an appropriate treatment plan is created after a comprehensive evaluation.

Nose and Sinus Diseases

Nose and sinus diseases are significant health problems that directly affect the quality of breathing and negatively impact the daily lives of patients. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, discharge, olfactory dysfunction, and facial pain are the most common signs of nasal and sinus pathologies.

• Septum Deviation: Septum deviation, which is the curvature of the nasal septum, is one of the most common causes of nasal congestion. With septoplasty surgery, the nasal septum is corrected to open the airway.
• Sinusitis: Acute and chronic sinusitis is a common disease that occurs with the inflammation of the sinuses. Endoscopic sinus surgery is applied in chronic sinusitis cases that do not respond to medication.
• Nasal Polyps: Polypoid formations originating from the sinus mucosa lead to nasal congestion and olfactory dysfunction. Polyps can be successfully removed with endoscopic surgery.
• Allergic Rhinitis: Inflammation of the nasal mucosa triggered by allergens manifests itself with sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, and watery nasal discharge.
• Rhinoplasty and Functional Nasal Surgery: Rhinoplasty and functional corrective surgeries allow for the simultaneous treatment of both aesthetic and respiratory problems.

Throat and Larynx Diseases

Throat and larynx diseases manifest with symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these diseases are of great importance.

• Tonsillitis and Adenoid Hypertrophy: Tonsil and adenoid enlargement is a frequently encountered condition, especially in children. Surgical treatment is recommended in cases of recurrent infections or the presence of sleep apnea.
• Hoarseness and Vocal Cord Diseases: Conditions such as nodules, polyps, cysts, and paralysis on the vocal cords negatively affect voice quality. After diagnosis via laryngoscopy, appropriate treatment is planned.
• Laryngitis: Inflammation of the larynx can follow an acute or chronic course. In chronic laryngitis cases, determining the underlying cause forms the basis of treatment.
• Pharyngitis: Throat inflammation can be of viral or bacterial origin. Treating group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections with appropriate antibiotic therapy is critical for preventing complications.
• Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome occurs as a result of recurrent obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. Surgical and non-surgical treatment options are available.

Head and Neck Surgery

Head and neck surgery, which is an important sub-branch of the ENT department, covers the surgical treatment of tumors and mass lesions in this region. Pathologies in the thyroid and parathyroid glands, salivary glands, and lymph nodes fall within the scope of head and neck surgery.

• Thyroid Surgery: Thyroidectomy is performed in cases of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. The risk of complications is minimized in surgeries performed under nerve monitoring.
• Salivary Gland Diseases: Stones, infections, and tumors in the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual salivary glands are treated with surgical or conservative methods.
• Neck Masses: Lymph node enlargements, cysts, and tumoral formations in the neck region require detailed examination and surgical intervention when necessary.

ENT Diseases in Children

Pediatric ENT is considered an important sub-field covering the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, and throat diseases specific to childhood. The most common ENT problems in children include recurrent middle ear infections, adenoid and tonsil enlargement, hearing loss, and allergic rhinitis.

Early detection of hearing loss in children is of great importance for speech and language development. Newborn hearing screenings and regular audiological check-ups are therefore extremely important. Sleep apnea caused by adenoid and tonsil enlargement can lead to growth retardation and behavioral disorders in children.

Endoscopic ENT Applications

Endoscopic methods are increasingly used in modern ENT practice. Endoscopic sinus surgery, endoscopic ear surgery, and endoscopic laryngeal surgery are advanced surgical techniques that provide less traumatic and faster recovery for patients. Thanks to endoscopic approaches, postoperative pain is reduced, hospital stay is shortened, and cosmetic results are improved.

Diagnostic Methods in the ENT Department

Various advanced diagnostic methods are used for the accurate diagnosis of ENT diseases. Audiometry, tympanometry, flexible and rigid endoscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography can be counted among these methods. Additionally, allergy tests, bacteriological cultures, and biopsy procedures are important tools that assist in diagnosis.

Advanced balance tests such as vestibular tests and videonystagmography (VNG) are used in the evaluation of complaints of dizziness and balance disorders. The vibration movements of the vocal cords are evaluated using the stroboscopy method to diagnose voice disorders.

Preventive Approaches in ENT Diseases

There are important points to consider to prevent ENT diseases. Avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption, protection from allergens, regular exercise, and adopting healthy eating habits are effective methods for preventing ENT diseases. Furthermore, not being exposed to high-decibel sounds for long periods is of great importance for protecting hearing health.

In the Koru Hospital Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) department, our specialist physicians provide comprehensive, reliable, and patient-centered healthcare services to our patients using the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment methods. Our experienced ENT specialists aim to achieve the best results by creating treatment plans tailored to each patient's individual needs.