Otorhinolaryngology, as a branch of medicine, deals with diseases of the ear, nose and throat. In this context, it includes the prevention, detection, treatment and follow-up of diseases of the ear, nose, mouth and upper respiratory tract. Treatment methods include surgical, microsurgical, and medicinal procedures.
What is otolaryngology?
Otolaryngology deals with diseases of the ear, nose and throat. In this regard, it includes the prevention, detection, treatment and follow-up of diseases of the ear, nose, mouth and upper respiratory tract. Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) is a specialized branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries, malformations and dysfunctions of the ears, oral cavity, pharynx, trachea, larynx, upper airways and esophagus. In English, the abbreviation ENT is used, which means “Ears Nose and Throat”. In the international medical community, the term ORL stands for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. ENT medicine mainly applies the methods of scientific medicine. However, natural healing methods are also used. The training to become a specialist in otolaryngology takes five years. After graduating from medical school, two years of basic training are required, followed by three years of specialized training in the field of otorhinolaryngology. The German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery ensures that the high scientific standards of otorhinolaryngology are maintained. This is the association of predominantly scientifically active ENT physicians. The board of this society also includes a member of the German Professional Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. This professional association in turn consists of an association of ENT physicians who are practically active and who have their own practice. It serves to safeguard the rights of freelance ENT physicians vis-à-vis the health insurance funds and the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
Treatments and therapies
Within the scope of otorhinolaryngology, various diseases, injuries, malformations or tumors of the ears, nose, sinuses, oral cavity, pharynx, as well as functional disorders of the sensory organs in this area are examined and treated. Functional disorders include hearing, voice, speech and language disorders. Otolaryngology is divided into several anatomical blocks such as ears, upper airway, lower airway and oral cavity. Thus, the anatomical block of ears includes the auricles, earlobes, auditory canal, middle ear and inner ear. Furthermore, central auditory pathways and auditory centers also belong to this block. A wide variety of infectious and non-infectious diseases are treated in the ears. Examples include middle ear infections, childhood diseases such as mumps, general inflammation of the ear, tinnitus, hearing disorders, hearing loss or deafness. Malformations and tumors in the ear area are also part of the treatment spectrum of ENT medicine. The upper airways consist of the nose, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, pharynx and pharyngeal tonsils. Specific diseases in this area include sinusitis, throat infections, tonsillitis and many other infections. The lower airways are composed of the larynx and trachea. A well-known disease in this area is laryngeal cancer. The oral cavity is considered along with the tongue, salivary glands and palatine tonsils. Inflammation of the mouth and throat can have many causes. Infectious processes caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses as well as corrosive or toxic substances or food that is too hot often play a role. Often, however, the ENT area is not the starting point of a disease, but is affected as part of another underlying health disorder. For this reason, there is interdisciplinary cooperation between otorhinolaryngology and other medical specialties. Overlaps exist especially with the specialties of pediatrics, pediatric surgery, allergology, dermatology, neurology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral surgery, and internal medicine with a focus on pneumology.
Diagnosis and examination methods
Otolaryngology is a complex specialty that must deal with the diagnosis and treatment of many different diseases.For this reason, a variety of examination methods are used depending on the disease. In the case of mild and frequently occurring infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract, often only a medical history is required to determine the cause of the disease. This is because many infections occur more frequently in certain seasons and are transmitted via the airways. However, if a chronic disease of the upper and lower respiratory tract is present, more intensive examinations must be performed. For example, laboratory tests are performed on swabs taken from the mucous membrane of the mouth, tongue or throat. Here, possible pathogens are detected. For a more detailed examination of the nose and sinuses, a so-called rhinoscopy is often performed. This is a nasal endoscopy in which a tiny camera with a light source is inserted into the nose on a cable and provides images of the nasal passages and the outlets of the sinuses. In a posterior rhinoscopy, a mirror is passed through the oral cavity and pharynx into the posterior nasal passages to perform reflections. Anterior rhinoscopy uses a funnel with a headlamp to illuminate the anterior nasal passages. The air permeability of the nose can be tested with a nasal function test. The ear can also be examined with a headlamp attached to a funnel. For more intensive examinations, an ear microscope is used. A hearing test is used to test for hearing ability. The larynx can be examined using a stroboscope, for example. This makes the vibrations of the vocal folds visible. Other examination methods include neurootological examinations such as experimental nystagmus provocations or functional examination of the cervical spine system. If allergies are suspected, non-specific and allergen-mediated provocation tests are used, among others. Sleep laboratories are available for the investigation of sleep apnea. In the context of ear, nose and throat medicine, imaging procedures such as X-ray examinations, ultrasound, MRI or CT are also used. Often, interdisciplinary collaboration with physicians from other specialties is necessary to make a diagnosis.
