Otolaryngologists and the Utilization of Ultrasound Equipment
Ultrasound is an ever growing field with more specialists like otolaryngologists using it with ever more applications. The small size of otolaryngology ultrasound machines enables otolaryngologists to easily examine their patients in their offices, and move the ultrasound machine from exam room to exam room.
Price of Otolaryngology Ultrasound Machines
Compared to other medical imaging machines, ultrasound is low cost and low maintenance. Otolaryngologists also get on-sight clues to differential diagnosis from them, and can use sonography for localization during minimally invasive procedures, and procedures done in the operating room.
Head and Neck Ultrasound Machines
Why Invest In a Head And Neck Ultrasound Machine For Your ENT Practice?
- Otolaryngologists are especially well suited for in-office ultrasound because of their expertise with anatomy and diseases of the head and neck.
- Ultrasound can be easily integrated into an office setting, providing a surgeon with real-time imaging that is more informative than x-rays.
- Ultrasound machines with the specifications needed for head and neck scans are readily available from Smartsound Ultrasound, at a cost that can be offset within a year through appropriate billing practices.
ENT Ultrasound
Otolaryngologists are Medical Doctors (specialists) trained to manage medical and surgical treatment of patients with disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and other areas in the head and neck region. Primary care and more complex problems in adults as well as children are treated. Otolaryngologists must complete medical school and at least five years of specialty training, and pass the American Board of Otolaryngology examination. Further specialization in pediatric otolaryngology (children), otology/neurotology (ears, balance, and tinnitus), allergy, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck, laryngology (throat), rhinology (nose), and/or sleep disorders are possibilities.
Some of the areas that Otolaryngologists diagnose and manage are:
EAR
Otolaryngologists are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of the outer and inner ear. Losses of hearing, infections, congenital (birth) disorders, balance disorders, ringing in the ear (tinnitus) are areas of interest to the ENT. Also adjacent to the ear are the facial and cranial nerves. Disorders of the nerves can be pain or paralysis. ENT Ultrasound in the area of the ear is not often used because of artifacts caused by boney structures. ENT Ultrasound can be used on the outer soft tissue areas near the ear or superficial facial nerve disorders. In some cases effusion (fluid) in the middle ear can be determine by ultrasound.
NOSE
The nasal cavity and sinuses are also under the care of otolaryngologists. Common diseases found in the nasal area are: allergies, smell, and taste disorders (Chemosensory), deviated septum (breathing problems), sinusitis, and snoring (see mouth and throat problems). Nose Ultrasounds of the sinuses or superficial facial bones are not routinely examined though in some cases are possible. If Ultrasound is used to exam a nasal tumor a "standoff pad" must be utilized. A standoff pad is a tissue mimicking gelatin like mold that improves the quality of the image near the region of interest.
MOUTH and THROAT
The upper pharynx (mouth and throat) and upper larynx (voice box) are commonly treated in otolaryngology management and care of patients. Diseases of the upper aero-digestive tract include tonsillitis, snoring (obstruction and vibration caused by fleshy structures in the back of the throat), swallowing disorders of the esophagus (fistulas), and voice changes (paralysis or pathologic movement of the vocal cords). Ultrasound may be able to facilitate care in these areas also. Particularly useful is the Real-Time imaging capability of Ultrasound which can show movement of the tongue and vocal cords.
HEAD & NECK
Thyroid, parathyroids and lymph nodes are the most commonly imaged areas of the head and neck region. Head And Neck Ultrasound is the number one imaging choice. Along with imaging minimally invasive procedures (fine needle aspiration) are performed on thyroid nodules clinically relevant lymph nodes and parathyroids. Besides the thyroid, parathyroids and lymph nodes the salivary glands can be imaged. Pathology of the head and neck region can encompass abscesses, inflammation, tumors (benign and malignant) and cysts.
OFFICE BASED ULTRASOUND
Thanks to the availability of compact sized ultrasound equipment standard exam rooms can easily house them. Since these machines are very mobile they can quickly be moved from room to room, thus making them ideal for sharing between multiple specialists. It is very considerate for the patient when otolaryngologists have ultrasound equipment in their offices. For example, when a (new-) patient presents with a swelling or other soft tissue ailment the physician can use ultrasound to identify the lesion and perform a needle aspiration right then and there. No need for the patient to come back at another time or go to another doctor who will not be the treating physician. The result is that a patient gets a diagnosis in the quickest time possible.
EMERGENCY ROOM ULTRASOUND
When a patient needs a rapid clinical evaluation as in the case of an emergency ultrasound can be a very useful tool. Wheeling the equipment into the exam room is easy and images can be taken and stored bedside, without need to develop the images or have people leave the room as in the case of x-ray exams. Ultrasound in emergency otolaryngology can be useful if the case of nasal fractures and facial trauma (orbital and mid-facial fractures).
OPERATING ROOM ULTRASOUND
The main purpose of Ultrasound in the operating room is to correlate images taken previously to the anatomy of the region of interest the surgeon is working on. Ultrasound therefore assists in complex surgeries.
CONCLUSION
Wherever an Otolaryngologists practices, ultrasound can be used. A patient with swelling or other soft tissue pathology can be helped without unnecessary time delays. Our patient-friendly, economical ENT ultrasound equipment is useful in the hands of Otolaryngologists; the physical exam can be correlated with ultrasound.
Laryngology Ultrasound
Wherever an Laryngology is practiced ultrasound can be used. A patient with swelling or other soft tissue pathology can be helped without unnecessary time delays. Patient friendly and economical, ultrasound equipment is useful in the hands of Otolaryngologists; the physical exam can be correlated with ultrasound.
Otology Ultrasound
Ultrasound equipment aids in studies of normal and pathological anatomy and physiology of the ear.
Audiology is a branch of science which deals with the study of hearing, balance, and related disorders through tests and treatment through hearing aids. Audiologists may use sonography also.
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