Medical Definitions

ABSCESS

This is a collection of pus that needs to be drained and treated with antibiotics.

ADENOID HYPERTROPHY

This is enlargement of the adenoid tissue in the back of the nose, which is common in children. If severe enough, removal is indicated to allow for proper breathing through the nose to prevent underdevelopment of the upper jaw bone and recurrent ear and nose infections.

ADENOIDITIS, ACUTE

This is the sudden infection of the adenoids, which needs to be treated with antibiotics.

ADENOIDITIS, CHRONIC

This usually occurs with adenoids hypertrophy and chronic recurrent infections, which leads to a frequent or constant runny nose and ear problems.

AGING FACE

This is looseness of the facial skin, usually caused by age and excessive sun exposure, which can lead to bags around the eyes, facial wrinkling, jowls, and “turkey gobbler” neck. Ask your Facial Plastic Surgeon about the best method of treatment for these problems if they bother you.

ANKYLOGLOSSIA

This is commonly called “tongue-tie”. Occasionally the band underneath the tongue needs to be cut to free up the tongue.

APHTHOUS STOMATITIS

These are small sores, which occur throughout the mouth and in some individuals occur fairly frequently and can be painful. They usually require 7-10 days to heal and do not respond very well to any medication.

BENIGN

Benign is a term used to indicate that the growth is not a cancer. Some benign tumors, however, can be dangerous and if any sign of growth or recurrence occurs, your Doctor should be consulted.

BRONCHIAL CLEFT CYST

This is a developmental cyst usually occurring in the neck and is treated by surgical removal to prevent enlargement and recurring infections.

BRONCHUS, FOREIGN BODY

Children sometimes swallow coins or other objects and adults sometimes get fish or chicken bones caught in the windpipe. This requires emergency surgery for removal to prevent serious complications.

CANAL TRAUMA

This is injury to the ear canal, which can sometimes cause bleeding or perforation of the eardrum.

CAROTODYNIA

This is inflammation of the carotid artery sheath, which can cause neck pain, which will usually respond to Aspirin. This is not a serious condition.

CERUMEN

Sometimes excessive wax builds up in the ear canal causing decreased hearing. This can sometimes be removed by using a water pick toothbrush to irrigate the ear or letting shower water run in the ear.

CLEFT LIP PALATE

This is a split in the lip or hard palate, which some babies are born with. Treatment for this is surgical repair.

CRICOPHARYNGEAL SPASM

This is a muscle spasm that occurs in the throat that causes blockage of swallowing. Stretching or cutting the muscle usually provides immediate relief of the problem.

DERMOID

This is a tumor, which is not cancerous and is usually present at birth. Treatment for this is removal.

DISEQUILIBRIUM, UNSPECIFIED

This is a feeling of being off balance, which can be caused from a number of different causes. If this problem persists, you should see your doctor.

DYSPHAGIA

This is difficulty or pain with swallowing. Although often from muscle in-coordination, this can be caused from cancers or other potentially serious problems. X-rays and evaluation are indicated.

EAR, FOREIGN BODY

These are usually objects, which children place in the ear while playing or occasionally insects that crawl down into the ear while the person is sleeping. These need to removed to prevent infection and restore hearing.

EPIGLOTTIS, ACUTE

This is a sudden, extremely dangerous swelling of the structures above the voice box, which can block the airway and cause death. It is accompanied by pain, hoarseness and high fever and emergency treatment is indicated. Young children are at greater risk.

EPISTAXIS

This is bleeding from the nose. In children, this is usually from the front part of the septum or middle partition of the nose, usually from mild infections or nose picking. Pinching the nostrils together will control the bleeding. In adults, more severe and life threatening bleeding can occur from further back, which requires nasal packing or surgery.

ESOPHAGUS, FOREIGN BODY

Children often swallow coins or other objects and adults sometimes get fish or chicken bones caught in the throat. This requires a trip to surgery for removal to prevent serious complications.

EUSTACHIAN TUBE DYSFUNCTION

This is blockage of the Eustachian tube which leads to a stuffy feeling in the ears, popping and in severe cases, dizziness or accumulation of fluid and hearing loss.

EXTERNAL OTITIS (SWIMMERS EAR)

This is an inflammation of the ear canal usually caused by the use of Q-tips or by allowing water to get into the ear. Usually this can be cured by filling the ear with antibiotic eardrops three or four times per day for five to seven days.

FACIAL NERVE PARALYSIS

This is a weakness of the whole side of the face, or part of one side of the face, which is usually caused by a virus but can be caused by cancer. You need to see your doctor for a thorough evaluation and the proper tests if you have this problem.

GEOGRAPHIC TONGUE

This is a splotchy discoloration of the tongue, which comes and goes and is often caused by food allergies. No treatment is indicated.

GINGIVITIS

This is an inflammation or infection of the gums that often requires dental treatment to keep from losing the teeth.

GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL NEURALGIA

This is pain in the mouth or throat caused by inflammation of one of the nerves supplying this area. The treatment varies depending upon the cause, but may respond to medication.

HEADACHES, MIGRAINE

These headaches usually occur on one side of the head only and are preceded by warning signs that the person usually comes to recognize. Sometimes a number of different medications need to be tried before an effective treatment is found. Headaches that do not respond to treatment should be evaluated by a medical specialist.

HEADACHES, TENSION

These headaches are usually in the back of the neck and often occur during times of stress, pain or other anxiety inducing events. Muscle relaxants and Aspirin or Tylenol are usually sufficient to treat these. Persistent headaches should be evaluated by a medical specialist.

HEADACHES, TMJ

This is usually a one-sided or both-sided pressure type pain that is frequently felt in the ears and perceived as muscle tension headaches around the jaws, neck and around the ears. This is caused by inflammation of the jaw bone joint, sometimes produced from dental problems or tension. Pain that cannot be controlled by medication may require a dental specialist for treatment.

HEARING LOSS, CONDUCTIVE

This is a blockage of conduction of sound waves from the eardrum to the hearing organ, which is usually correctable.

HEARING LOSS, OTOSCLEROSIS

This is the loss of hearing from abnormal bone formation on one of the small ear bones behind the eardrum. Dramatic improvement in the hearing can usually be accomplished with surgery.

HEARING LOSS, NOISE INDUCED

This is hearing loss caused from exposure to loud noises, which usually affects the higher frequencies causing difficulty in understanding people.

HEARING LOSS, PRESBYCUSIS

This is a loss of hearing from nerve degeneration due to aging. It is not correctable but sometimes a hearing aid can help dramatically.

HEARING LOSS, SENSORY NEURAL, UNSPECIFIED

This is a loss of hearing from damage to the hearing organ nerves, which is not correctable, but can sometimes be helped with a hearing aid.

HEARING LOSS, SUDDEN

This is the sudden loss of hearing over one or two days, which can sometimes be corrected if seen immediately. Other more serious causes of sudden hearing loss need to be ruled out by your doctor.

HERPES SIMPLEX

This is another name for cold sores or fever blisters. Newer and better medications are constantly being developed to treat these. So, ask your physician about the latest treatment.

HERPES ZOSTER

This is a flare up of the chicken pox virus, which can lead to severe pain, blisters, and permanent scarring that occurs along the path of a particular sensory nerve. Severe cases should be treated by a physician to minimize the pain and duration of the illness.

HYPERTROPHIC SCAR

This is an enlarged, ugly scar, which needs to be treated with steroid injections or surgery to prevent an unsightly deformity.

INFECTIOUS MONO

This is mononucleosis caused by a virus and is best treated with anti-inflammatory drugs along with rest and close follow-up to be sure that complications do not occur.

INFLUENZA

This is a severe viral infection that can lead to high fever, cough, pneumonia, and sinusitis that may last several weeks. Severe cases should be treated by a physician.

LABYRITHITIS

This is inflammation of the inner ear usually caused from a viral illness, which usually gets better with time.

LACERATION, FACE

This is a cut to the face, which requires skilled treatment to prevent an unsightly scar later in life.

LARYNGITIS, ACUTE

This is a sudden inflammation and swelling of the vocal cords, usually from virus infection, but occasionally from chemical irritation or nasal drainage. This often causes sudden loss of the voice and usually resolves in 3-5 days without treatment.

LARYNGITIS, CHRONIC

This is a long standing inflammation and swelling of the vocal cords often contributed to by smoking, constant nasal drainage, or sometimes from acid washing up from the stomach. This is an increased risk of developing cancer with this condition.

LARYNGOCELE

This is an out-pouch of the voice box usually from increased air pressure in the windpipe. This can sometimes cause a gurgling sound in the neck and occasionally requires removal.

LEUKOPLAKIA

These are simply white spots in the mouth or other areas. These usually need to be biopsied to make sure they are not an early cancer.

LICHEN PLANUS

This is a disease of unknown cause, which can cause white or red patches in the mouth, which usually responds to some type of steroid ointment or cream. Rarely this can lead to cancer.

LIP, DISEASES OF

The treatment and severity of the disease varies. Ask your Doctor about this.

LYMPHADENITIS

This is a tender swelling of the lymph glands in the neck usually caused by infection in the sinuses or throat. This usually goes away with antibiotic treatment.

LYMPHADENOPATHY

This is a non-tender enlargement of the lymph glands in the neck. Although sometimes caused from infection, enlarged lymph glands can be a sign of a more severe disease process. Continued enlargement requires removal to make a diagnosis.

MALIGNANT

Malignant is a synonym for cancer. These tumors need to be destroyed with surgery or radiation to prevent certain death or disfigurement.

MANDIBLE, FRACTURE

This is the lower jaw bone and surgery is almost always required to prevent facial deformity and to insure that the teeth fit together properly.

MASS, UNSPECIFIED

This is simply a lump in the head and neck area, which has not been diagnosed.

MASTOIDITIS, ACUTE

This is a severe infection involving the mastoid bone, which is behind the ear. If this does not respond quickly to antibiotics, surgery is sometimes indicated.

MASTOIDITIS, CHOLESTERATOMA

This is a slowly enlarging skin sac in the mastoid area, which can lead to permanent hearing loss, recurring infections with draining ears and always requires surgery to prevent more severe complications.

MAXILLA, FRACTURE

This is the upper jaw bone and surgery is almost always required to prevent facial deformity and to insure that the teeth fit together properly.

MENIERE’S DISEASE

This is recurring episodes of dizziness usually associated with ringing in the ears and fluctuating hearing loss. Usually medications can help, but sometimes surgery is required.

MUCOUS CYST

This is simply a blocked mucous gland, which develops into a cyst. Depending upon the size, they can sometimes be observed or occasionally need to be removed.

MULTIPLE WITH LACERATIONS

Often in severe trauma, several different facial bones may be broken as well as cuts occurring to the face. This usually requires a trip to surgery for correction.

MYRINGITIS, BULLOUS

This is usually a viral infection of the eardrum, which can be very painful and does not respond well to antibiotics. This usually goes away with time and is treated with pain medication.

NASAL PYRAMID DEFORMITY

This is crookedness of the outside of the nose, which is a deformity that can be corrected through surgery.

NASAL POLYPS

These are growths, which occur on the inside of the nose usually because of allergy. These almost always require surgical removal and allergy treatment. These occur frequently in children with cystic fibrosis.

NASOSEPTAL DEVIATION

This is a partial blockage of one or both sides of the nose caused from a malformed or previously broken middle partition in the nose. This is a very common condition, which requires surgery only when it leads to problems of bleeding, nasal blockage, drainage, headaches or recurring infections.

NORMAL EXAM

This is an indication that nothing abnormal was found on your examination. This is not a guarantee that nothing is wrong with you and if you have a problem that persists, you should return for a repeat examination.

NOSE, FOREIGN BODY

Children who have a chronic foul smelling drainage from one side of the nose have often stuffed foam rubber from pillows or other objects into the nose, which lead to infection. The treatment for this is removal.

NOSE, FRACTURE

A broken nose can be caused from striking the nose and is usually associated with bleeding. Although treatment is often not necessary, a worsening in a person’s appearance requires that surgery be performed to correct the deformity and improve bleeding.

ORAL ANTRAL FISTULA

This a connection between the sinus and the mouth, which can lead to food washing out of the nose when eating, recurring sinus infections, and usually needs to be closed with surgery.

ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION

This is a brief drop of blood pressure upon sitting or standing, which causes a brief episode of dizziness, which then resolves. Often people on high blood pressure medication have this problem as well as older people. With care and slowness in getting up, fainting and other accidents can be prevented.

OTITIS MEDIA, ACUTE

This is a bacterial infection of the middle ear space, which should be treated with antibiotics. Recurrent infections in children can lead to more serious problems if not controlled.

OTITIS MEDIA, BAROTRAUMA

This is damage to the eardrum and middle ear space from sudden pressure changes associated with flying or sometimes with scuba diving. This is usually treated with antihistamines, decongestants and occasionally antibiotics.

OTITIS MEDIA, CHRONIC

This is a swollen condition of the middle ear space from repeated acute infections, which sometimes can lead to a permanent hearing loss if not controlled.

OTITIS MEDIA, SECRETORY

This is the accumulation of fluid behind the eardrum caused by a blocked Eustachian tube. This usually occurs in children or in adults with a recent history of cold or allergy. If not treated in children, it can lead to delayed speech and language development and possibly recurring ear infections.

OTOMYCOSIS

This is a fungal infection of the ears canal, which occurs more often in people who have allergies to yeast and molds.

PAROTID, BENIGN

This is a non-cancerous lump or growth in the major saliva gland, which is just in front of and below the ear. These usually require removal.

PAROTITIS, ACUTE

This is a sudden infection of the parotid gland often from a blocked duct. The treatment is antibiotics along with mouthwashes and maintenance of good hydration.

PEMPHIGOLD

This is a reaction in the lining of the mouth leading to blisters and then sores in the mouth that recur. These need to be diagnosed to rule out more severe disease or cancer.

PERICHONDRITIS

This is an inflammation of the ear cartilage. It is important that you see your Doctor and do everything he says to prevent a permanent deformity of the ear from scarring or infection, which can occur.

PERIPHERAL VERTIGO

This is the sensation of spinning around, sometimes associated with nausea caused from inflammation or disease of the inner ear.

PHARYNGITIS, ACUTE

This is an inflammation or infection of the throat, which can occur either with viruses or bacteria. Often times, antibiotics are needed for this.

PHARYNGITIS, ALLERGIC

This is inflammation of the throat caused from allergy or drainage from the nose.

PHARYNGITIS, CHRONIC

This is inflammation of the throat, usually caused from constant infection draining from the sinuses, smoking, tobacco, or nasal blockage

PHARYNGITIS, REFLUX

This is caused from acid washing up from the stomach causing a chronic sore throat usually worse in the morning. This is treated with antacids and other actions to decrease the leakage of acid back up the throat. Usually a hiatal hernia is present as well.

PHARYNX/LARYNX, FOREIGN BODY

Children often swallow coins or other objects and adults sometimes get fish or chicken bones caught in the throat. This requires a trip to surgery for removal to prevent serious complications.

POSTOP

This simply means that you are still under care and evaluation following your recent surgical procedure.

PREAURICULAR CYST

This is usually caused either from a blocked oil gland or a skin sac that often times needs to be removed to prevent recurring infection.

RANULA

This is a cyst of the salivary glands beneath the tongue, usually treated with drainage. Sometimes surgery is required to remove this.

RHINITIS, ACUTE

This is a sudden inflammation, crusting and rawness inside the nose, usually from bacteria, which usually responds to antibiotics.

RHINITIS, ALLERGIC

This is hayfever or nasal allergy, which may result in nasal drip, drainage, blockage, sneezing or red, itchy eyes. Although antihistamines usually relieve the problem, allergy testing sometimes is necessary to provide comfort to the patient and prevent complications or infections.

RHINITIS, ATROPHIC

This is a severe chronic infection of the nose in which foul smelling drainage and large amounts of nasal crusting occur in some adults. This can be a sign of very severe diseases and your Ear, Nose and Throat specialist should be seen about this.

RHINITIS, VASOMOTOR

This is simply a sensitive nose, which results in sneezing, blockage, or drainage with the least change in temperature, odors or weather changes. Antihistamines can sometimes help this.

SALIVARY GLAND INFECTION

This causes sudden swelling, tenderness, and occasionally fever in one of the saliva glands, often from a blocked drainage duct. Antibiotics and mouthwashes are used to treat this.

SALIVARY GLAND MUMPS

This is a sudden swelling and infection of the parotid saliva glands usually occurring in children, which causes swelling in front of and below the ears. Your Doctor should treat this to prevent complications.

SALIVARY GLAND STONE

Occasionally stones can form in the drainage ducts of salivary glands that can lead to swelling, pain, and recurrent infections. These require removal.

SEBACEOUS CYST

This is a skin cyst caused by a blocked oil gland in the skin and can lead to recurring drainage and infections, which is cured by removal.

SEPTAL ABSCESS

This is an infection of the middle partition of the nose and needs to be drained and treated with antibiotics to prevent nasal deformity.

SEPTAL HEMATOMA

This is a blood clot in the middle partition of the nose. These have to be drained to prevent nasal deformities.

SINUSITIS, CHRONIC

This is simply a long-standing inflammation or infection of the nose and sinuses, which can be caused from a variety of problems. It often causes facial headaches and an offensive drainage in the throat. If this does not respond to medication, sometimes surgery is required to clean the sinuses out.

SJOGREN’S SECRETORY ABNORMALITY

This is a condition where the mouth, nose and eyes are dry and is associated with swelling of the saliva glands and increased incidence of infection and is associated with connective tissue diseases like arthritis, lupus and others.

STOMATITIS, GENERAL

This is a general inflammation of the mouth that can be caused from a number of different agents. The treatment varies depending upon the cause.

SUBMANDIBULAR, BENIGN

This is a lump or growth in the saliva gland beneath the jaw bone, which usually requires removal.

THRYOGLOSSAL DUCT CYST

This is a developmental cyst that presents as a lump in the middle part of the neck, which often enlarges with throat or sinus infections. Treatment for this is removal.

THURSH, CANDIDIASIS

This is a yeast-fungus infection of the mouth, which occurs in babies and occasionally in people on antibiotics or people who have allergy to this yeast. It usually responds to anti-fungal agents.

THYROID NODULE

This is a lump in the thyroid, which usually can be felt. Tests must be performed to be certain that this is not cancer and if doubt exists, the lump should be removed.

TINNITUS

This is the constant or pulsating, high pitched or buzzing sound, in the eras caused by exposure to loud noises, nerve damage or hearing ones own blood flow through the ear. Only rarely is this an indication of a more serious problem.

TM TRAUMA, PERFORATION

This is an injury to the ear, which causes the hole in the eardrum. If this hole does not heal spontaneously, then a surgical patching procedure is required. Water must be kept out of the ear to prevent infection.

TONSILS, ADENOIDS & OTHER DISEASES

These are problems with vary in severity and need to be discussed with your Doctor as to the problem and treatment indicated.

TONSILLITIS, ABSCESS

This is more severe infection of the tonsils where pus accumulates beneath the surface and needs to be drained and treated with antibiotics to prevent severe complications.

TONSILLITIS, ACUTE

This is an infection of the tonsils, which needs to be treated with 10 days of antibiotics if the cause is strep.

TONSILLITIS, CHRONIC

This is a condition where recurring or persistent infections of the tonsils occur and may need to be treated with removal of the tonsils.

TORNWALDT’S CYST

This is a cyst in the adenoid area, which occurs in 3% people and occasionally requires removal because of recurring infections or headaches.

TORUS PALATINUS, MANDIBULARIS

These are simply bony outgrowths on either the hard palate or from the jawbone underneath the tongue, which do not require treatment unless they interfere with dentures.

TOTICOLLIS

This is simply muscle spasm in the neck, commonly referred to as a “crick” in the neck. This usually responds in one to two days to hot packs and Aspirin or Tylenol occasionally muscle relaxants.

EXTERNAL CANAL TRAUMA

This is simply an injury to the outer ear, which may or may not require treatment, depending upon the severity of the injury.

TURBINATE HYPERTROPHY

This is swelling of the walls of the inside of the nose, usually from allergy. This usually responds to allergy treatment or antihistamines, although occasionally surgery is required to alleviate the nasal blockage.

UNDIAGNOSED DISEASE

This is an indication that there is uncertainty about the exact cause of your problem. If it persists in bothering you, you should return to your Doctor for further evaluation.

URI (UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION)

This is usually from a virus and responds to over-the-counter cold medications but can lead to more severe sinus infections, bronchitis or pneumonia, if severe.

VELOPHARYNGEAL INCOMPETENCE

This occurs when the soft palate cannot close off the opening to the nose resulting in nasal sounding speech. This is treated with either speech therapy or surgery in more severe cases.

VESTIBULITIS

This is an infection of the opening to the nose, which causes crusting and tenderness. This is treated with antibiotic creams and sometimes antibiotic pills.

VOCAL CORD EDEMA

This is slight swelling of the vocal cords, which results in hoarseness and usually is a temporary condition that resolves with voice rest and/or medicine.

VOCAL CORD LEUKOPLAKIA

This is a white discoloration of the vocal cords, which sometimes represents an early cancer. This needs to be biopsied.

VOCAL CORD NODULES

These are calluses on the front part of the vocal cords, which lead to hoarseness. These are usually caused by excessive yelling, loud frequent talking or singing. Often these respond to speech therapy and voice rest.

VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS

Although occasionally a vocal cord can be paralyzed from something as simple as a virus, often this is a sign of a more severe disease, which must be diagnosed to rule out cancer or potentially fatal problems. Vocal cord paralysis results in a very hoarse, breathy voice, occasionally with choking from swallowing food down the wind pipe.

VOCAL CORD POLYPS

These are large, fleshy growths on the vocal cords, which can lead to severe hoarseness and are usually caused by allergy or constant nasal drainage. These require removal with laser for ideal improvement of the voice and to rule out cancer.

ZENKER’S

This is an out-pouching of the swallowing tube or esophagus. This can result from untreated cricopharyngeal spasm and can lead to neck abscess or increasingly severe swallowing problems, if not removed.

ZYGOMA, FRACTURE

This is a broken cheekbone, which is usually associated with bruising around the eye and occasionally double vision. This usually requires surgery to realign the fracture site.