Otorhinolaryngology

Otolaryngology is the medical specialty dedicated to diseases of the ears, nose, throat, and surgical pathology of the head and neck in adults and children. Diseases in these areas have a huge impact on normal development and well-being, as they involve the sensory organs responsible for hearing, smell, and taste. In addition, Otorhinolaryngology has an impact on vital functions such as breathing, swallowing, balance, voice, and some aspects of facial aesthetics.

Otorhinolaryngologists diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases affecting the ears, nose, paranasal sinuses, throat, and neck. This specialty includes the treatment of ear infections, deafness, balance disorders (such as vertigo), upper respiratory tract diseases (such as rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis), as well as disorders associated with nasal obstruction, sleep apnea, and nasal aesthetics.

Diseases of the mouth and salivary glands, swallowing problems, voice changes, facial paralysis, and oncological diseases of the head and neck are also addressed by this specialty.

Pediatric otorhinolaryngology is an area of particular importance, treating hearing and respiratory disorders in children, speech disorders, and respiratory infectious diseases that are common in this age group.

An otolaryngologist should be consulted if the following signs and symptoms are present:

Earaches, pus, or hearing loss
Balance problems, vertigo, and tinnitus
Nasal obstruction, mucus, and frequent sneezing, changes in smell
Snoring (snoring disorder) and nocturnal breathing stops
Frequent nosebleeds
Recurrent headaches associated with nasal congestion
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), hoarseness, and difficulty breathing
Appearance of masses and nodules in the neck

Book your Otorhinolaryngology appointment at Joaquim Chaves Saúde, where you will find a team of experienced professionals and state-of-the-art equipment to assist you in performing a wide range of Otorhinolaryngology examinations. At our units, you can also have your airways examined through laryngoscopy or rhinoscopy. In addition, it is possible to perform hearing and balance tests.

Medical tests

Otorhinolaryngologists often use complementary examinations.

Tinnitus measurement

This test evaluates the characteristics of ringing in the ears. Ringing in the ears refers to an unwanted auditory perception, without any external acoustic stimulus, in one or both ears or in the head, which is rarely heard by other people.
Audiometry

Audiometry is a hearing test that assesses the ability to interpret sounds and words and allows the progression of deafness to be detected. There are two types of audiometry: tonal and vocal. Tonal audiometry allows us to determine the range of frequencies that a person can hear, while vocal audiometry focuses on the ability to understand certain words. The audiogram is the graph that shows the results.
Study of Vertigo

The area of balance disorders is studied by a team specializing in this field, using complementary tests such as videonystagmography, dynamic posturography, and other specific tests to diagnose these disorders.

In this area of expertise, therapeutic rehabilitation techniques, called Vestibular Rehabilitation, are also performed.
Sleep study

A polysomnography is a test that allows different parameters to be studied, which are altered in the presence of sleep apnea syndrome.
Imaging

These are exams that use the most advanced imaging techniques to visualize the different elements of this anatomical region. Examples include conventional radiology, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Laringoscopia

Laryngoscopy is an examination that provides a detailed view of the larynx and throat, allowing the laryngeal structures, particularly the vocal cords, to be observed. To do this, the doctor places a small mirror in the throat or inserts a thin device with a video camera called a laryngoscope through the nose or mouth.

The images captured are stored in a video system that allows for detailed observation.
Rhinoscopy

Rhinoscopy is a minimally invasive examination that allows the structures of the nasal cavities to be assessed either through direct vision or by using a video device gently inserted through the nostrils.
Timpanogram

A tympanogram is a test that evaluates the functioning of the middle ear by measuring the mobility of the eardrum and auditory ossicles. It is a quick and painless procedure, essential in diagnosing conditions such as otitis media, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or fluid in the ear (serous otitis).

During the test, a small probe inserted into the ear canal emits sounds and varies the air pressure, recording the response of the eardrum on a graph called a tympanogram. There are different types: a type A tympanogram indicates normal values, type B suggests a lack of mobility of the eardrum, and type C reveals negative pressure in the middle ear.

Vertigo Consultation

In our clinics we also offer a Vertigo consultation, where specialists work with the clinical history and perform various tests, which allow us to diagnose the cause and guide the treatment of these balance disorders.

Clinical Team

We have a team of doctors and health professionals, specialists in various areas, available to give you the support you need.

Medic

Pedro Cavilhas

Speciality/Service

Otorhinolaryngology

Key areas of expertise

Otorhinolaryngology geral, Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Otology, Otoneurology, Rhinology, Head and Neck Surgery, Snoring and Sleep Apnea, Thyroid Surgery, Vertigo consultation

Healthcare Units

Clínica de Sintra, Clínica Cirúrgica de Carcavelos, Clínica de Miraflores

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Medic-coordinator

Fernando Vilhena de Mendonça

Speciality/Service

Otorhinolaryngology

Key areas of expertise

Adult and Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Consultation, Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Infectious and Allergic Diseases of the Nose, Sinuses and Upper Airways