Otolaryngology

Otolaryngology or head and neck surgery is the modern name for one of the oldest medical specialties. The specialty is concerned with diseases of the ear, nose, sinuses, mouth, throat, voice box and soft tissues of the neck.

The Division of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery of Scott & White Clinic, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine, includes six sections dedicated in depth to the study, diagnosis and treatment of complex medical problems.

These sections include the following:

• Otology - Neurotology
• Audiology and Balance Disorders
• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Head and Neck Surgical Oncology
• Laryngology and Voice Disorders
• Speech-Language Pathology and Communicative Disorders

Otolaryngology is a referral only specialty. Your primary care physician needs to see you and request a consultation from one of Scott & White's otolaryngologists.

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Section of Otology – Neurotology

The section of Otology is dedicated to the study, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear including

• disorders related with the management of deafness
• vertigo
• dysequilibrium
• tumors of the temporal bone and base of the skull
• acute and chronic infections of the external middle and inner ear
• mild to profound deafness
• otosclerosis
• cholesteatoma
• stenosis of the ear canal
• cochlear implants
• benign and malignant tumors of the temporal bone ear canal and auricle

The Section also manages the medical, surgical treatment and rehabilitation of patients with problems of vertigo and dysequilibrium.

Audiologists use sophisticated equipment to measure hearing ability and to identify the presence and severity of problems.

Hearing and Balance Center

The Section of Otology – Neurotology working together with the diagnostic capabilities of the Section of Audiology and Balance Disorders, the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Section of Speech-Pathology and Communicative Disorders constitute the Scott & White Hearing and Balance Center.

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Section of Audiology and Balance Disorders

The Section of Audiology and Balance Disorders is dedicated to the study of hearing and balance disorders. The Section has capabilities for the diagnosis and management of profound deafness including modern hearing amplification capabilities, hearing aids dispensation, cochlear implants programming and in depth study of vertigo and dysequilibrium. Hearing screening tests for newborn and premature babies is applied to all children born in Scott & White.

Section of Pediatric Otolaryngology

The section of Pediatric Otolaryngology is dedicated to the study, diagnosis and treatment of congenital or developmental otolaryngologic problems of the newborn and infant. The section includes the management of pediatric ear disease, hearing disorders and airway compromise including surgery for airway reconstruction. The section also manages pediatric benign masses and malignant tumors of the Head and Neck in the pediatric population.

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Section of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology

The Section of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology is dedicated to the diagnosis and management of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck.

The Section of Head and Neck Surgery working together with the Sections of Medical Oncology, Diagnostic Radiology, Therapeutic Radiology, Hospital Dentistry, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dietetics, Speech Pathology and Social Services constitute the Head and Neck Cancer Management Group.

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Section of Laryngology and Voice Disorders

The Section of Laryngology and Voice Disorders is dedicated to the diagnosis and management of diseases of the larynx including benign and malignant tumors, voice disorders and alterations of laryngeal function.

The Section of Laryngology (in conjunction with the Section of Speech-Language Pathology) treats patients who are having problems with their speaking or singing voice. These include: muscle-tension disorders (where too much force is used to push the vocal folds together); masses (growths) on the vocal folds such as nodules, cysts or polyps; paralyzed vocal folds and neurologic problems such as severe voice tremor, or spasmodic dysphonia.

Examination of the vocal folds may require the use of a flexible telescope through the nose, a rigid telescope through the mouth or a combination of the two. Stroboscopy (which allows the vocal folds to be seen in slow motion) is frequently used to help diagnose the problem. Treatment usually involves voice therapy (to ensure use of the voice without strain), and medications as needed for allergies, thick mucus or acid reflux. Microsurgery is performed when there is a suspicion of cancer, or if a mass is present which is either too large to treat with voice therapy alone or does not get better with voice therapy. Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are offered to patients with severe voice tremor or spasmodic dysphonia.

Treatment of paralyzed vocal folds depends on whether one or both are paralyzed. If only one is paralyzed, the options include voice therapy, vocal cord injection or performing surgery and placing an implant to move the vocal fold to the middle. If both are involved, the options are fewer and generally a choice must be made between having a good voice or having a good airway.

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Section of Speech-Language Pathology and Communicative Disorders

The section of Speech-Language Pathology and Communicative Disorders is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of communication in the perceptive and expressive areas and in the profoundly deaf. Services include formal evaluation of speech, voice, language, oral motor disorders, speech voice and language therapy. Also manages swallowing disorders and rehabilitation associated with laryngeal, pharyngeal or esophageal dysfunction.

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