Diagnosis and Treatment

ENT Diagnosis

 

The diagnostic process in ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) typically combines medical history, physical examination, and various specialised instruments to comprehensively assess the patient’s condition, identify the root cause, and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

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1. Symptom Assessment and Medical History Taking
   Initial diagnosis begins with the patient’s chief complaints and medical history. The doctor will carefully enquire about symptoms (such as tinnitus, nasal congestion, sore throat, etc.), duration of symptoms, past medical history, family history, and possible triggers such as allergies, infections, or trauma. This step forms the foundation of diagnosis and helps narrow down the possible conditions.
    

2. Visual Inspection and Palpation
   The doctor will examine the external appearance of the ears, nose, and throat, checking for redness/swelling of the auricle, nasal discharge or blood clots, or abnormal throat redness/swelling. Palpation is used to check for enlarged cervical lymph nodes or thyroid abnormalities.
    

3. Endoscopic Examination
   Endoscopy is a key diagnostic tool in ENT that allows detailed internal visualisation:
   ‧ Nasal endoscopy: Examines the nasal cavity and sinuses for polyps, inflammation, or mucosal swelling.
   ‧ Laryngeal endoscopy: Assesses the throat and vocal cords to diagnose nodules, polyps, or laryngitis.
   ‧ Ear endoscopy: Views the ear canal and eardrum to detect foreign bodies or tympanic membrane perforation.
    

4. Hearing Tests
   For ear-related issues, hearing tests are arranged to determine the degree and type of hearing loss. Tests include air conduction and bone conduction audiometry, which differentiate between conductive hearing loss (e.g., earwax blockage or middle ear infection) and sensorineural hearing loss (e.g., damage to inner ear hair cells).
    

5. Imaging Studies
   When structural abnormalities or tumours are suspected, imaging is ordered:
   ‧ X-ray: Commonly used to check for sinus inflammation or fluid accumulation.
   ‧ CT scan: Provides detailed images of the sinuses, ears, and throat; useful for chronic sinusitis or tumour diagnosis.
   ‧ MRI: Used to evaluate soft tissue abnormalities, such as acoustic neuroma or head and neck tumours.
    

6. Allergy Testing
   For allergic rhinitis or other allergic conditions, skin prick tests or blood tests are performed to identify reactions to allergens such as dust mites, pollen, or food.
    

ENT Treatment Methods

Treatment in ENT depends on the nature and severity of the condition and includes conservative management, medication, surgery, and rehabilitation.

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1. Medication Therapy
   The most common treatment for mild to moderate cases:
   ‧ Antibiotics: For bacterial infections such as otitis media, sinusitis, or tonsillitis.
   ‧ Antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays: To relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
   ‧ Steroids: Nasal sprays or oral steroids for nasal polyps or severe allergies.
   ‧ Anti-inflammatory drugs: To reduce acute inflammation in pharyngitis or vocal cord inflammation.
   ‧ Ear drops or nasal drops: For localised treatment of ear infections or nasal dryness.
    

2. Surgical Treatment
   When medication is insufficient, surgery may be recommended. Common procedures include:
   ‧ Sinus surgery: Including Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) to clear chronic sinusitis or remove nasal polyps.
   ‧ Tonsillectomy: For recurrent tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnoea.
   ‧ Tympanoplasty: Repair of perforated eardrum caused by infection or trauma.
   ‧ Airway surgery: Such as laryngeal surgery for vocal cord disorders.
   ‧ Cochlear implantation: For patients with profound hearing loss.
    

3. Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
   For certain conditions, therapy helps restore function:
   ‧ Voice therapy: Guided by speech-language therapists to improve vocal cord issues or hoarseness.
   ‧ Swallowing training: To help patients with dysphagia relearn normal eating.
   ‧ Balance training: For Ménière’s disease or other inner ear balance disorders.
    

4. Sleep Disorder Treatment
   For sleep apnoea or snoring:
   ‧ Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A device that keeps the airway open during sleep.
   ‧ Surgical treatment: Such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to correct airway obstruction.
   ‧ Lifestyle modifications: Weight loss, smoking cessation, and side-sleeping.
    

ENT conditions may seem minor, but if ignored long-term, they can lead to serious complications such as permanent hearing loss, chronic breathing difficulties, or malignant tumours. Professional ENT diagnosis and treatment enable early detection, rapid recovery, and improved quality of life.
 

The ENT team at Honser Medical Centre is equipped with advanced endoscopic and diagnostic technology, combined with extensive clinical experience, to provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services. We are committed to designing personalised treatment plans to ensure every patient receives the best possible medical care.