ENT Services at Lotus Diagnostic Centre

Commonly called Ear, Nose and Throat, ENT is the speciality that addresses conditions related to these organs. Children/ adults with chronic conditions such as ear ache, nasal congestion, frequent throat infections/ fever would do well to have thorough investigations and medication that would otherwise impact their growth and quality of life.

Why Choose Lotus?

Our team of specialised ENT consultants will examine patients, conduct the required investigations and recommend the right medications to ensure effective cure.

Services concerning the ENT Specialty include:

• Wax Removal
• Direct Laryngoscopy
• DNE (Nose)
• Otoenoscopy
• Foreign body removal (Throat, Nose, Ear )
• Ear Lobe Repair
• Nose Piercing
• Ear Piercing
• Vertigo Management

Wax Removal

Earwax blockage by looking in the ear with a special instrument that lights and magnifies your inner ear (otoscope).

Sometimes patients experience recurring earwax buildup. In such case our doctors recommend use a wax-removal medication, such as carbamide peroxide (Debrox Earwax Removal Kit, Murine Ear Wax Removal System). Because these drops can irritate the delicate skin of the eardrum and ear canal, it is suggested that medical guidance is taken to use it. Our ENT specialist in the clinic will be able to guide you with this consultation.

Direct Laryngoscopy (Larynx)

Direct laryngoscopy is a procedure to examine the larynx. When you have problems with your voice, swallowing, or breathing, this procedure is recommended. The procedure is done under general anesthesia, and a few of the indications for surgery include: removing foreign objects, taking a biopsy (small tissue sample), or removing polyps from the vocal cords. A microscope and/or laser is used to do a detailed examination of all the parts of the larynx, including vocal cords.

Before the Procedure

• Do not eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the procedure. This includes all food, liquids, water, candy, mints or chewing gum. You may brush your teeth. You will not be able to undergo the surgery if you do not follow these instructions.
• Please notify the medical practitioner of any medications and dosage (including insulin) or allergies you may have. You will be informed of which medications you can take on the day of surgery with a sip of water.
• A week before the surgery, please avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Aleve) or Vitamin E. Please notify your practitioner if you are on any medications that affect bleeding, such as coumadin or warfarin.
• Remove all make-up, jewellery, nail polish, and artificial nails before surgery.
• Do not bring valuables to the hospital (cash, credit cards, watches, jewellery, etc.)

After the Procedure

• You may experience swollen lips after the surgery and your tongue may feel full or numb.
• Avoid strenuous activity (bending, lifting, or straining) for one week.
• Advance diet from liquids to soft food to solid food as tolerated. Avoid hot liquids or food. You may find that liquids and soft foods are more tolerable for the first few days. Drink plenty of fluids.
• Resume all medications you were taking prior to the procedure. For mild discomfort, you may wish to take Tylenol or Advil as needed and as directed.
• Maintain complete voice rest for five to seven days. If you must speak, do not whisper or talk loudly. Use a normal voice, and use brief, short answers (yes or no), and talk only to those within an arm’s length. DO NOT WHISPER. You should rest your voice for one month. Avoid throat clearing.

Diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE)

DNE is a procedure performed inside the nose to evaluate the nasal cavity using a thin and slender illuminated fiberoptic instrument.

The interior of the nose is a large roomy cavity which cannot be examined in detail with the traditional headlight. During the routine nasal examination, a small area in front of the nose is illuminated allowing a “keyhole” view of the front part of the nose while rest of the nasal cavity remains dark. An endoscope, with its superior illumination and magnification, provides a detailed look at the internal nasal anatomy, the opening of the sinuses, back side of the nose, and the nasal end of the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting the nose and the ear).

It is a relatively painless procedure wherein the nose is initially anesthetized and decongested.

Routinely DNE is performed in patients having sinusitis and nasal polyps. DNE can also be done in patients having loss of smell, recurrent ear infections, bleeding from the nose and post nasal surgery.

Otoendoscopy

Otoendoscopy is the endoscopy of the ear which involves placing a rigid endoscope into the ear to examine both the exterior and middle portions of the ear.

Procedures that can be easily performed using otoendoscopy include:

• Removal of epithelial debris from external auditory canal
• Removal of cerumen
• Removal of otomycotic flakes
• Removal of maggots / foreign bodies
• Removal of aural polyp
• Suction clearance

Foreign body removal (Throat, Nose, Ear )

A foreign body (FB) is an object or substance foreign to the location where it is found. FBs in the ear, nose, and throat are a common problem frequently encountered in both children and adults. FBs in the ear and nose were found more frequently in children, and the throat was the most common site of FB in adults and elderly people.

The presence of FBs in the ENT region is one of the most common causes of otolaryngologic emergencies. FBs can be introduced spontaneously or accidently in both adults and children. Generally, FBs are more common in younger children; this may be due to various factors such as curiosity to explore orifices, imitation, boredom, playing, mental retardation, insanity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, along with availability of the objects and absence of watchful caregivers.

Most of the FBs can be easily removed in emergency room or outpatient department where our team of ENT Surgeons will ensure you have a hassle free experience during the procedure/treatment.

Vertigo Management

Vertigo is a sensation of feeling off balance. If you have these dizzy spells, you might feel like you are spinning or that the world around you is spinning.

Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo is often caused by an inner ear problem. Some of the most common causes include:

BPPV: These initials stand for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. It helps you keep your balance. BPPV can occur for no known reason and may be associated with age.

Meniere’s disease: This is an inner ear disorder thought to be caused by a buildup of fluid and changing pressure in the ear. It can cause episodes of vertigo along with ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss.

Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis: This is an inner ear problem usually related to infection (usually viral). The infection causes inflammation in the inner ear around nerves that are important for helping the body sense balance

Less often vertigo may be associated with:

• Head or neck injury
• Brain problems such as stroke or tumor
• Certain medications that cause ear damage
• Migraine headaches

Symptoms of Vertigo

Vertigo is often triggered by a change in the position of your head.People with vertigo typically describe it as feeling like they are:

• Spinning
• Tilting
• Swaying
• Unbalanced
• Pulled to one direction

Other symptoms that may accompany vertigo include:

• Feeling nauseated
• Vomiting
• Abnormal or jerking eye movements (nystagmus)
• Headache
• Sweating
• Ringing in the ears or hearing loss
• Symptoms can last a few minutes to a few hours or more and may come and go.

Treatment for Vertigo

Treatment for vertigo depends on what’s causing it. In many cases, vertigo goes away without any treatment. This is because your brain is able to adapt, at least in part, to the inner ear changes, relying on other mechanisms to maintain balance. For some, treatment is needed and may include:

Vestibular rehabilitation: This is a type of physical therapy aimed at helping strengthen the vestibular system. The function of the vestibular system is to send signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. Vestibular rehab may be recommended if you have recurrent bouts of vertigo. It helps train your other senses to compensate for vertigo.

Canalith repositioning maneuvers: Guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology recommend a series of specific head and body movements for BPPV. The movements are done to move the calcium deposits out of the canal into an inner ear chamber so they can be absorbed by the body. You will likely have vertigo symptoms during the procedure as the canaliths move. A doctor or physical therapist can guide you through the movements. The movements are safe and often effective.

Medicine: In some cases, medication may be given to relieve symptoms such as nausea or motion sickness associated with vertigo. If vertigo is caused by an infection or inflammation, antibiotics or steroids may reduce swelling and cure infection. For Meniere’s disease, diuretics (water pills) may be prescribed to reduce pressure from fluid buildup.

Surgery: In a few cases, surgery may be needed for vertigo. If vertigo is caused by a more serious underlying problem, such as a tumor or injury to the brain or neck, treatment for those problems may help to alleviate the vertigo.

Other Services

• Ear Lobe Repair
• Nose Piercing
• Ear Piercing

Our ENT Specialists