Otorhinolaryngology or Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT)

An ENT evaluation is a medical examination which has the aim of detecting diseases of the ear, nose and throat and other organs of the head and neck district.

A physical examination evaluates the state of health of these complex organs which, although well distinct one from the other, are often functionally correlated and may present with associated disorders, such as inflammation, infections and tumors.

The tests which may be performed after physical examination and aimed at evaluating, for example, possible surgery are:

• an accurate inspection of the mouth and oropharynx. The hypopharynx  and larynx are accurately evaluated by means of rigid or flexible optic fibers, i.e. a “laryngoscopy”, which enables visualizing on a monitor the anatomical, clinical and functional situation, highlighting any anomalies and lesions;
• otoscopy, using an instrument called an otoscope, which enables the doctor to evaluate, inside the ear, the tympanic membrane and the outer ear canal;
• rhinoscopy, an exam which is performed with a thin optic fiber endoscope enabling the doctor to explore the inside of the nose, communications with the paranasal cavities, rhino-pharynx and openings of the Eustachian tubes;
• tonal and impedance audiometric test: these enable the doctor to study in an exhaustive way a patient’s auditive functionality, giving information on the auditive threshold and the vibrating ability of the eardrum.