With regard to the ear, ENT specialists diagnose and treat hearing loss, acute and chronic ear infections, otosclerosis, eardrum perforations, Eustachian tube dysfunctions, balance disorders, congenital malformations, and ear-related tumors such as acoustic neuroma and cholesteatoma.
For the nose and paranasal sinuses, the most common conditions include nasal septum deviation, enlarged turbinates, nasal polyps, acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, recurrent nosebleeds, facial pressure and headaches, snoring, and disorders of smell ranging from reduced smell perception (hyposmia) to complete loss of smell (anosmia).
In the oral cavity, ENT specialists evaluate and treat mucosal diseases, precancerous lesions, leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, salivary disorders, taste alterations (dysgeusia), xerostomia (dry mouth), and both benign and malignant oral lesions.
Within the oropharynx and nasopharynx, common conditions include acute and chronic tonsillitis, adenoid disorders, soft palate abnormalities, and collapse of the upper airways during sleep, which may lead to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and significant cardiovascular, cognitive, and quality-of-life consequences.
ENT specialists also diagnose and manage head and neck tumors, including benign and malignant lesions of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, salivary glands, thyroid gland, skin, and lymphatic structures. Particular attention is given to HPV-related tumors, which have become increasingly common in recent years.
At the laryngeal and pharyngeal level, conditions frequently treated include infections, chronic inflammatory disorders, reflux-related diseases, voice disorders (dysphonia), swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), throat discomfort, painful swallowing (odynophagia), and chronic throat irritation.
The specialty also encompasses diseases of the major and minor salivary glands, including infections, salivary stones (sialolithiasis), benign tumors such as pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin tumor, and malignant neoplasms.
Although ear, nose, and throat disorders may appear unrelated, they are often interconnected and may originate from the same infectious, inflammatory, traumatic, or neoplastic process. For this reason, the otolaryngologist adopts a comprehensive diagnostic approach to the entire head and neck region.
The otolaryngologist is the specialist and surgeon responsible for both medical and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the ear, nose, throat, head, neck, and upper airways. Procedures commonly performed include tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, salivary gland surgery, removal of suspicious lesions, glossectomy, pharyngectomy, microlaryngeal surgery, neck dissection, lymphadenectomy, septoplasty, rhinoseptoplasty, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), turbinate reduction, thyroid surgery, tympanoplasty, mastoid surgery, myringoplasty, transtympanic drainage, and Eustachian tube treatments.