What is Otolaryngology?

Otolaryngology is the medical specialty dealing with diseases and disorders of the ears, nose, and throat. This includes cancer of the head and neck area, nose and sinus conditions, disorders of the ears and hearing, and speech, voice, and swallowing problems. The otolaryngologist also performs reconstructive and aesthetic surgery of the face.

What is an Otolaryngologist?

An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon is a Medical Doctor who specializes in disorders of the head and neck, especially those related to the ear, nose and throat. Although it is hard for many to believe, otolaryngology is abbreviated from a still longer name: otorhinolaryngology. The latter derives from the Greek base words: oto - ear, rhino - nose, and laryn - throat. In the past 50 years, otolaryngology has expanded from "ears, noses and throats" to a regional specialty of the head and neck. Even more recently, some otolaryngology-head and neck physicians subspecialize in otology, rhinology, laryngology, plastic surgery of the face and neck, tumor surgery, allergy, and broncho-esophagology.

What Does an Otolaryngologist Do?

General Otolaryngology

  • All pediatric ear, nose and throat problems
  • Medical and surgical disease of the Tonsils and Adenoids
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Head and Neck Maxillofacial Trauma

Head & Neck Oncology

  • Multidisciplinary Treatment of all head and neck cancers
  • Benign and malignant disease of the thyroid
  • Treatment of all benign masses of the head and neck
  • Anterior and Lateral Skull base surgery
  • Diagnosis of head and neck cancers using endoscopy and laryngeal videostroboscopy
  • Expanded use of laser resection of head and neck malignancies
  • Treatment of all head and neck skin cancers - melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma
  • Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer Reconstruction
  • Medical and Surgical Treatment of Thyroid and Parathyroid disorders/masses

Voice / Swallowing Disorders

  • Diagnosis and treatment of voice disorders, including vocal cord paralysis
  • Videostroboscopy of the larynx
  • Speech and swallowing rehabilitation
  • Electromyography (EMG) of larynx
  • BOTOX treatment of Spasmodic Dysphonia
  • Endoscopic and Open Surgical Treatment of Zenker's Diverticulum

Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

  • Facial cosmetic and plastic surgery
  • Cosmetic BOTOX
  • Post trauma reconstructive surgery
  • Diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers
  • Microvascular free tissue transfer restruction
  • Maxillofacial prosthodonics
Ear, Nose, Throat Diagram

Sleep and Snoring Disorders

  • Diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing and snoring
  • Radiofrequency ablation of problem sleep areas (somnoplasty/coblation)
  • Nonsurgical Treatment of Sleep Apnea including CPAP/BIPAP and dental appliances
  • Multilevel Surgical Treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Rhinology / Nasal and Sinus Surgery

  • Diagnosis and treatment of nasal and sinus diseases
  • Surgical Treatment of chronic sinusitis including endoscopic sinus surgery
  • Medical and surgical treatment of all forms of nasal obstruction
  • Diagnosis and treatment of all benign and malignant tumors of nose and paranasal sinuses
  • Minimally invasive approaches to the orbit, anterior skull base and pituitary gland
  • Computerized Intraoperative Image Guidance

Otology / Neurotology/ Later Skull Base Surgery

  • Management of acute and chronic ear disease including laser stapedectomy
  • Diagnosis and management of benign and malignant skull base tumors
  • Diagnosis and management of all causes of hearing loss
  • Diagnosis and management of dizziness/imbalance/vertigo
  • Facial Nerve Disorders including paralysis
  • Full Audiology and Vestibular testing services
  • Cochlear implants