When you bring your child in to see us, we may perform tests to help us evaluate their condition. Some of the diagnostic tests we perform are:
- Bronchoscopy: An examination of the windpipe below the voice box in the neck and chest under general anesthesia. A long narrow telescope is passed through the larynx (pronounced "lair-inks") and used to carefully inspect the structures of the trachea and bronchi.
- Direct laryngoscopy: An examination of the voice box or larynx under general anesthesia. An instrument called a laryngoscope is carefully placed into the mouth and used to visualize the larynx and surrounding structures.
- Esophagoscopy: An examination of the swallowing pipe in the neck and chest under general anesthesia. An instrument called an esophagoscope is passed into the esophagus (just behind the larynx and trachea) and used to visualize the mucus membranes and surrounding structures of the esophagus. Frequently a small biopsy is taken to evaluate for signs of esophageal inflammation (esophagitis).
- Fiberoptic laryngoscopy: A test to examine the back of your child's throat using a small flexible telescope.
- Nasal endoscopy: A procedure to look at your child's nasal and sinus passages using an endoscope.
- Stroboscopic evaluation of voice disorders: Using a strobe light combined with laryngoscopy to view the voice box in action.
Treatments and procedures
Our specialists provide many otolaryngology treatments, including:
- Choanal atresia repair: Repairing the narrowing of the back of the nasal cavity, which causes difficulty breathing.
- Endoscopic sinus surgery: Surgery to remove blockages in the sinuses.
- Mastoidectomy: A procedure to remove diseased mastoid air cells.
- Myringotomy: An incision made in the eardrum to remove fluid or infection from the middle ear space behind the eardrum.
- Nosebleed evaluation, cauterization, and packing when regular measures to stop it are not successful after 30-60 minutes.
- Reconstruction of defects in the head and neck following cancer surgery.
- Supraglottoplasty: A procedure to alter malformed structures of the upper larynx. Microscopic instruments and a carbon dioxide laser are used to trim away extra tissue from around the voice box. Careful removal of this tissue is performed to prevent collapse over the voice box that can lead to harsh, noisy breathing (stridor), and difficulty feeding.
- Surgical management of snoring and sleep apnea
- Voice restoration following laryngectomy
We also provide services to help manage:
- Head and neck cancer
- Spastic dysphonia with botulinum toxin
- Tumors of the cerebellopontine angle and skull base
- Vocal cord paralysis