Otolaryngology (ENT)

Our rhinology team focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the nose.

Our Services:

• Tests/Examinations:
  • Blood tests
  • Complete blood count (СВС)
  • Computed tomography (CT) paranasal sinus (PNS)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Laboratory analysis of nasal culture/swabs
  • Allergy testing: Comprehensive allergy panel and skin prick testing.
• Non-surgical procedures:
  • Nasal packing/nasal bleeding management
  • Endoscope-guided nasal cleaning/suctioning
• Surgical procedures:
  • Nasal biopsy: Sample taken from the nasal tissue for investigation.
  • Nasal foreign body removal: Extracting objects lodged in the nasal cavity.
  • Nasal bone fracture reduction: Correction of nasal bone fracture.
  • Septoplasty (endoscopic): Correcting a deviated septum to improve airflow.
  • Endoscopic sinus surgery: Removing nasal polyps and improving sinus drainage.
  • Balloon sinuplasty: Using a balloon catheter to open blocked sinus passages.
  • Turbinoplasty/turbinectomy: Reducing the size of the nasal turbinates, i.e., structures within the nose that humidify and warm the air we breathe, to enhance breathing.
  • Rhinoplasty: Cosmetic surgery to improve the shape of the nose.
  • Endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair: Closure of CSF leaks in the nasal passages.
  • Optic nerve decompression: Releasing swelling or traumainduced pressure over the optic nerve.

Conditions We Treat:

• Deviated nasal septum: The shifting of the septum (the thin layer of cartilage that divides the nose into two parts).
• Acute and chronic rhinosinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages lasting up to 4 weeks (acute) or 12 or more weeks (chronic).
• Nasal polyposis: Presence of noncancerous growths (polyps) in the nasal passages.
• Allergic rhinitis: Overreaction of the immune system to allergens in the air, causing sneezing, running of the nose, nasal congestion, and itching in the eyes.
• Epistaxis: Nasal bleeding.
• Nasal bone fracture
• Malignancies of the nasal cavity
• CSF rhinorrhoea: Leakage of CSF through the nose often after trauma
• Choanal atresia: A congenital condition associated with the blockage of the nasal passage by bone or tissue, preventing airflow from the nose into the throat.
• Neurogenic disorders: Conditions affecting the nervous system (in this context, those affecting the functions of the ear, nose, and throat).

Our laryngology team addresses a broad range of conditions related to the larynx (voice box), in addition to disorders that affect a person’s ability to speak or perform normal daily activities, such as eating and drinking. Our team adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure patient-centric care.  

Our Services:

• Tests/Examinations:
  • Physical examination and history collection
  • Thorough evaluation by a speech-language/swallow therapist
  • Laryngoscopy (rigid or flexible): Examination of the voice box.
  • Videostroboscopy: Use of strobe lights to view vocal cord vibrations in slow motion to assess vocal cord function.
  • Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES): Assessment of swallowing function as food and beverages pass through the throat.
  • Narrow band imaging: Endoscopic visualisation of vascular and mucosal patterns using specific blue and green light to ascertain the presence of any abnormalities.
  • Electromyography: Measurement of the electrical activity of muscles and nerves in the throat and oesophagus.
  • Transnasal esophagoscopy: Insertion of an endoscope via the nasal cavity to examine the oesophagus.
  • Neck ultrasonography (USG)
  • CT and MRI
  • Barium swallow: Examination of the upper digestive tract using X-rays after the patient is asked to consume a barium solution (which coats the inner lining of the organs and makes them visible under X-rays).
  • Blood tests
• Procedures:
  • Microlaryngoscopy (conventional or laser-assisted): Minimally invasive procedure to examine the larynx and vocal cords.
  • Injection laryngoplasty: Injection of Botulinum, collagen, or other gel fillers to temporarily manage vocal cord paralysis or muscle weakness.
  • Laryngoplasty: Surgical modification of the laryngeal cartilage to improve muscle attachment to the vocal cords and improve their function.
  • Laryngectomy and laryngeal reconstruction surgery
  • Biopsy: For examining any suspected mass or lesion and to help diagnose granulomatous or autoimmune disorders.
  • CO2 and potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser treatment: Use of CO2 and KTP lasers for ear surgeries.
  • Vocal cord medialisation and lateralisation: Surgeries to reposition the vocal cords and restore their function.
  • Phonosurgery: Surgery to enhance voice quality.
  • Mass excision with co-ablation: Removal of tissues (excision), along with the elimination of surrounding tissues (ablation).
  • Endoscopic surgery
  • Transoral laser microsurgery: Minimally invasive surgeries for removing tumours in the head and neck.
  • Subglotic and tracheal stenosis surgery: Widening the airway between the vocal cords or in the trachea (wind pipe).
  • Professional voice-modulation surgery
  • Post-radiation therapy

Conditions We Treat:

• Laryngitis (acute and chronic): Inflammation of the larynx lasting up to 3 weeks (acute) or 4 or more weeks (chronic).
• Granuloma (Contact ulcers): Benign lesions appearing on the vocal cords.
• Reinke’s oedema: Swelling of the vocal folds due to fluid accumulation within the Reinke’s space, which is a layer beneath the surface of the vocal folds.
• Vascular lesions:
  • Vocal cord bleeding
  • Vocal fold varix, an abnormally dilated blood vessel in the vocal folds, increasing the risk of haemorrhage.
• Laryngeal papillomatosis: Formation of benign wart-like growths (papillomas) in the larynx.
• Vocal cord paralysis, cancer, and scarring
• Sulcus vocalis: An abnormality in the vocal folds arising due to The presence of a groove on the edge of the vocal fold, ultimately causing voice problems.
• Neurogenic disorders: Conditions affecting the nervous system (in this context, those affecting the functions of the ear, nose, and throat).
• Voice disorders: These may include spasmodic dysphonia, which represents voice changes related to the brain and nervous system or muscle dysfunction, puberphonia, which represents the presence of a high-pitched voice despite the occurrence of puberty-related physical changes, and presbyphonia, which represents the age-related occurrence of a weak, breathy voice.
• Polyps, nodules, or cysts on the vocal cords
• Precancerous and cancerous growths
• Leucoplakia: Formation of thick, white patches in the mouth.
• Achalasia: Improper contraction of the oesophageal muscles and failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter to relax, ultimately leading to regurgitation.
• Oesophageal spasm: Abnormal contraction of the oesophageal muscles.
• Oesophageal tumours
• Oesophageal ring: Narrowing of the oesophagus caused by a ‘ring’ of mucosal tissues, causing chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and food regurgitation.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Regurgitation of stomach acid into the oesophagus, resulting in damage to oesophageal tissues.
• Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing.
• Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum (Zenker diverticulum): Formation of a pouch in the throat (at the top of the oesophagus).

Common head- and neck-related complaints, including pain, headaches, neck swelling, oral cavity ulcers, loss of smell or vision, and personality changes, require detailed history taking by the ENT specialist followed by a meticulous ear, nose, and throat examination. 

Our Services:

• Tests/Examinations:
  • Physical examination of the ears, nose, and throat
  • Nasal endoscopy
  • Flexible laryngoscopy
  • Neck examination and USG
  • CT and MRI
  • Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC): Collection of cells using a thin needle and further examination under a microscope.
  • Biopsy
  • Histopathological analysis
• Surgical procedures:
  • Thyroidectomy: Removal of the thyroid gland completely or partially.
  • Parotidectomy: Removal of the parotid gland, a salivary gland located in front of the ear (completely or partially).
  • Submandibular gland excision: Removal of the submandibular gland, a salivary gland located under the jaw.
  • Sialendoscopy: Minimally invasive surgery to detect and treat salivary gland disorders.
  • Sistrunk operation: Surgery to remove thyroglossal cysts, which is the most commonly occurring congenital neck masses.
  • Maxillectomy: Removal of the maxilla (upper jaw) completely or partially.
  • Excision of oral swellings
  • Tracheostomy: Surgery to create an opening in the trachea (windpipe) through the neck and insertion of a tube to facilitate breathing.
  • Tracheoplasty: Surgery to reconstruct the trachea.
  • Laryngectomy: Removal of the larynx (voice box) completely or partially.
  • Drainage of retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses: Performed for deep neck space infections
  • Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: Performed for recurrent tonsillitis and adenoid hypertrophy
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea surgeries
  • Uvulopalatoplasty, which is the reshaping of the uvula and palate to reduce snoring, along with tongue base reduction and epiglottis trimming.
  • Transsphenoidal pituitary tumour excision: Surgery to remove tumours from the pituitary gland via the nasal passages.
  • Orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease 

Conditions We Treat:

• Necrotising (malignant) otitis externa: Severe otitis externa that may spread to the skull base, cranial nerves, and surrounding tissues.
• Pre-auricular sinus and abscess: When a malformation, usually appearing as a small hole in front of the ear, is infected and becomes filled with pus.
• Perichondritis: Infection/inflammation of the outer ear cartilage.
• Ear trauma and bleed
• Vocal cord paralysis, cancer, and scarring
• Vocal fold varix, an abnormally dilated blood vessel in the vocal folds, increasing the risk of haemorrhage.
• Precancerous and cancerous growths
• Leucoplakia: Formation of thick, white patches in the mouth.
• Achalasia: Improper contraction of the oesophageal muscles and failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter to relax, ultimately leading to regurgitation.
• Oesophageal spasm: Abnormal contraction of the oesophageal muscles.
• Oesophageal tumours
• Oesophageal ring: Narrowing of the oesophagus caused by a ‘ring’ of mucosal tissues, causing chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and food regurgitation.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Regurgitation of stomach acid into the oesophagus, resulting in damage to oesophageal tissues.
• Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing.
• Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum (Zenker diverticulum): Formation of a pouch in the throat (at the top of the oesophagus).
• Aspiration pneumonia: Infection caused due to the entry of bacteria into the lungs through the airway along with food or liquid during swallowing.
• Obstructive sleep apnoea: A common sleeping disorder characterised by the interruption of breathing during sleep due to the upper airway collapsing and blocking the windpipe.Zenker’s diverticulum
• Malignancies of the nasal cavity

The Paediatric ENT Department provides expert care for children with a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. With a team of skilled paediatric ENT specialists, surgeons, audiologists, and nurses, we deliver personalised treatment plans that prioritise the well-being of each child. Our approach ensures the highest standard of care in a supportive, child-friendly environment, where every child’s unique needs are met with compassion and expertise.

Know more

The programmes for speech, language, and swallowing therapy at the Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital are as follows: 

• Speech and Language Development Programme: This programme is recommended for children with speech and language disorders, delays, and disabilities. The children are offered high-quality evaluations, coordinated multi-disciplinary healthcare, and interventions with state-of-the-art medical technology to support their physical, emotional, social, and academic development.
• Articulation and Phonological Intervention Clinic: This programme is for children and adults with difficulties in producing speech sounds or groups of speech sounds that persist beyond the typical period of speech development and/or result in difficulty understanding speech. This programme includes screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with speech sound disorders. Latest evidence-based methods, such as oral placement therapy, are used as interventions.
• Voice Clinic: This programme is for singers, actors, TV news broadcasters, telemarketing agents, teachers, and other professionals who use their voice to perform their jobs. Additionally, it is also useful for patients with neurological conditions or those experiencing the side effect of treatments such as radiation therapy for cancer. We focus on the diagnosis and management of patients with voice disorders.
• Neurocommunication Disorder Clinic: This programme is for patients experiencing speech and language difficulties post brain injury or as complications of progressive neurodegenerative disorders. The speech, language, and swallowing therapists will assess and recommend exercises to help the patient regain/improve lost functions. We also offer the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy Programme for patients with Parkinson's disease.
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention: These are a set of strategies, methods, and devices to assist people who are unable to meet their communication needs through speech or writing.
• Stuttering Intervention: This programme includes a multi-modal approach to bring about the behavioural changes needed to achieve improvements that will be integrated into daily life.
• Onco-rehabilitation: For patients with head and neck tumours, assessment and treatment are offered at various stages of therapy, i.e. pre-surgery, post-surgery, during radiation, and post-radiation.
• Swallowing Clinic: We provide detailed assessments for patients with trouble swallowing, including bedside clinical assessments, flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, and modified barium swallow.
• Other programmes, such as our muscle strengthening programme, VitalStim, which represents the electrical stimulation of the neck muscles to aid swallowing, and diet modification, are used with appropriate patient education to achieve safe and efficient swallowing. 

Our audiology team provides comprehensive audiological services and specialises in identifying, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring the disorders of the auditory and vestibular systems. We provide hearing aids, manage and rehabilitate individuals with hearing loss, and assess candidacy for hearing implants, such as cochlear implants and bone conduction implants.

The services offered by the hearing aid clinic include: 

• Hearing assessments: Our clinic provides thorough hearing assessments conducted by skilled audiologists. These evaluations help determine the extent of hearing loss, enabling us to create personalised treatment plans.
• Consultations: Our team attempts to understand each patient's unique needs, lifestyle, and communication preferences. Through detailed consultations, we guide individuals in selecting the most suitable hearing aid options.
• Hearing aid fittings: Our audiologists ensure that the chosen hearing aids are custom-programmed and adjusted to meet the individual requirements of each patient. Moreover, we offer trial periods for selected hearing aids, allowing patients to experience the benefits of the device in real-life situations before making a final decision. This ensures satisfaction and confidence in their chosen devices.
• Follow-up care: Our commitment extends beyond the initial fitting. We provide ongoing support, adjustments, and follow-up appointments to address any concerns, ensuring that patients continue to optimally enjoy their hearing aids.