Pediatric ENT
Ear infections (acute otitis media)
affect nearly 100% of children by the age of five. Treatment includes either antibiotics or, if chronic, insertion of pressure equalizing tubes. Tube insertion requires a brief general anesthetic in children, but can be performed during an office visit with a topical anesthetic in adults.
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| Otitis media occurs in the area between the ear drum (the end of the outer ear) and the inner ear, including |a duct known as the Eustachian tube. Photo courtesy of: BSIP VEM / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY |
Tonsils and adenoids:
are a part of our immune system, acting as the first line of defense against incoming viruses and bacteria. At times, however, our tonsils can become a nuisance, becoming repeatedly or chronically infected, or even triggering airway obstruction due to their large size.
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| Symptoms of tonsillitis include a severe sore throat (which may be experienced as referred pain to the ears), painful/difficult swallowing, crouch coughing, headache, fever and chills. Photo courtesy of: ADAM GAULT / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY |
Streptococcus bacteria (strep throat)
is the most common bacterial infection of the tonsils, which will usually respond to antibiotic therapy. Occasionally, the infection can become recurrent (> 3 episodes per year), or chronic (carrier state), at which time tonsillectomy may be recommended. The most common reason for recommending tonsillectomy, however, is sleep disordered breathing (SBD) due to enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids. Symptoms of SBD include snoring, gasping, thrashing in bed, or possibly, unexplained bed-wetting. Research has also revealed that SBD can lead to delayed growth, and possibly, ADHD. Adenotonsillectomy is curative in 90% of children diagnosed with SDB.
Runny nose (rhinitis)
will affect all children at some point during infancy and childhood. The most common cause of rhinitis in children is viral upper respiratory infection, followed by allergies and adenoid enlargement. Sinusitis can also develop in children, leading to nasal drainage. Risk factors for the development of rhinitis include daycare, second hand smoke exposure, and family history of allergies. Rhinitis will usually respond to medical treatment, allergen avoidance, and environmental control measures. On rare occasions, and depending on the cause of the rhinitis, surgery will be recommended.
