Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

Otitis media

It generally originates from infection of the upper respiratory tract, where bacteria travel from the Eustachian tube to the middle ear cavity and cause infection, including acute otitis media, chronic otitis media and middle ear effusion.

Perforated eardrum

A rupture or hole in the thin tissue separating the external ear canal from the middle ear. Common causes include middle ear infections, trauma (such as improper ear cleaning or a slap to the ear), or sudden changes in barometric pressure.

BPPV

Induced by the displacement of otoliths (ear stones) from the inner ear into the semicircular canals, causing brief episodes of vertigo (lasting < 1 minute) triggered by head movements or lying down.

Hearing loss

Hearing loss can be caused by congenital and early childhood complications, infectious diseases, chronic ear infections, prolonged exposure to noise and age-related degeneration.

Otitis externa

Bacterial (most common) or fungal infection of the external auditory canal or the auricle.

Eustachian tube dysfunction

The tube connecting the middle ear and the nasopharynx fails to open or close properly, preventing the equalization of middle ear pressure. This causes ear fullness, blockage, hearing loss, tinnitus, or ear pain.

Meniere’s disease

A disorder of the inner ear that can lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and ringing in the ear (tinnitus).

Sudden hearing loss

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL), commonly known as “sudden deafness,” is an idiopathic, unilateral hearing loss of at least 30 decibels across three contiguous frequencies occurring within a 72-hour period.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Also known as “Canton tumor”, the cancer, caused by abnormal growth of nasopharyngeal cells, is one of the most common cancers in Hong Kong.

Nasal polyp

Benign, painless growths (often grape-like) on the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses, caused by chronic sinusitis or allergies. They are non-cancerous.

Allergic rhinitis

It means an allergic reaction to airborne allergens in the nose, resulting in itching, runny nose, sneezing and other symptoms.

Sinusitis

Inflammation of the sinuses caused by bacterial or viral infections.

Throat cancerVocal cord polyp

Throat cancer is a type of cancer of the head and neck, most of which is squamous epithelial cell carcinoma.

Vocal cord nodules (callous-like growths)

A common benign growth primarily caused by chronic overuse or improper use of the vocal cords (e.g., loud shouting, singers, teachers), leading to friction that causes inflammation and edema, eventually resulting in hardening and hyperplasia.

Thyroid diseases

Common conditions include hyperthyroidism (overactive), hypothyroidism (underactive), nodules, and goiter. These primarily affect metabolism and are more prevalent in women.

Laryngeal papilloma

Laryngeal papillomas are benign tumors of the larynx caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. They typically appear as cauliflower-like growths and most commonly occur on the vocal cords.

Vocal cord polyp

Vocal cord polyp is caused by acute inflammation, congestion or microvascular rupture of the vocal cord.

Vocal cord paralysis

Vocal cord paralysis occurs due to damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve that controls the vocal cords, resulting in the inability of the vocal cord muscles to move normally. This leads to symptoms such as hoarseness, breathy voice, and a high risk of choking while eating or drinking (dysphagia).

Mouth ulcer

Oral mucosal ulceration and inflammation, appearing as a circular or oval white depressed sore, which usually heals spontaneously within 7-10 days.

Tonsillitis

Infection of the tonsils, resulting in swelling or inflammation of the lymphatic tissue.

Salivary gland disease

Common conditions include stones (sialolithiasis), infections (sialadenitis), cysts, Sjögren’s syndrome, and tumors (80% of which occur in the parotid gland, mostly benign).

Pharyngitis and laryngitis

Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (pharynx or larynx), usually caused by viral (e.g., common cold) or bacterial infections, leading to symptoms such as sore throat, foreign body sensation, itching, hoarseness, or mild fever.

Swallowing disorders

Difficulty in swallowing due to neuromuscular abnormalities and inability to eat smoothly.

Voice disorders

These are broadly classified as functional and structural vocal disorders, with common signs and symptoms such as hoarseness of voice, reduced pitch and volume control, loss of voice, off pitch, and oral and nasal resonance disorders.

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Potential Risks

• Patients’ snoring noise affects the quality of sleep of their families
• Lack of sleep causes daytime tiredness, drowsiness and difficulty concentrating.
• Accidents may even occur while operating machinery or driving, resulting in injury or death
• Patients are more likely to suffer from hypertension, stroke and heart disease as their blood oxygen level drops due to asphyxia, affecting the functions of heart and lung
• Sudden death in sleep

Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

• Severe snoring, where the snoring stops occasionally and suddenly starts loudly again
• Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep, up to a few to several dozen times per hour, each lasting about 10 to several dozen seconds
• Breathing through the mouth while sleeping
• Waking up in the middle of a dream, difficulty breathing and rapid heartbeat after waking up
• Morning headache
• Daytime tiredness, tendency to doze off, poor concentration, slow reaction times
• Memory decline
• Irritability
• Sexual dysfunction

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