ENT doctor Frankfurt

ENT Endoscopy Frankfurt

Endoscopies and sampling in the ENT area (tumour staging)

ENT endoscopy (Tumour staging)

In the event of abnormal findings, samples can be taken from the mucous membranes of the entire ENT area to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis.

Depending on the location of the findings, these samples are taken on an outpatient basis under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic.

Further treatment depends on the results of the histological examination.

ENT doctor Frankfurt | ENT endoscopy Frankfurt

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Frequently asked questions about ENT endoscopy

Patients who should have an ENT endoscopy (possibly for tumour staging) have many questions. We have summarised the most common ones in this FAQ section. Please note that this is general advice and information. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone on 069 / 299 2466-0 or by e-mail.

What is an endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a medical diagnostic measure. On the one hand, it can be used for the (early) detection of pathological changes and, on the other, to carry out therapies.

During an endoscopy, the doctor takes a look inside the body cavities and organs. To do this, he inserts what is known as an endoscope. This consists of a flexible plastic tube or a rigid metal tube. The endoscope is fitted with a light source, a lens and a camera. This allows the inside of the body to be examined. Depending on the examination, the images from the endoscopy are transmitted to a monitor in parallel and saved.

Specialised instruments can be inserted via integrated channels, which can be used to carry out therapies or take tissue samples, for example.

When is an endoscopy necessary?

An endoscopic examination is always appropriate if the doctor is unable to make a reliable diagnosis - either with the naked eye, by manual examination or with other imaging techniques such as ultrasound. Endoscopy allows the doctor to see inside an organ/body cavity and to take any necessary biopsies (tissue samples).

An endoscopy is generally performed to make a diagnosis or to assess the course of a disease. The examination is also used to confirm or at best rule out a suspected (malignant) change in a tissue. Endoscopy can also be used to perform minor surgical procedures.

What is ENT endoscopy?

Endoscopic examinations can be performed, for example, on the digestive organs using gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy. However, endoscopy can also provide optimal services in ear, nose and throat medicine: with endoscopy, we can gain optical access to small nasal openings that are difficult to examine, the nasopharynx, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and windpipe and even the auditory canals.

Rigid endoscopes are generally used for endoscopic examinations in ENT medicine (e.g. 30° endoscopes for the nasal cavity or 90° endoscopes for the pharynx and larynx). If the anatomical conditions are somewhat difficult, flexible endoscopes can also be used.

What are the advantages of ENT endoscopy?

ENT endoscopy is a gentle, safe examination. With its help, precise examination results can be obtained. Surgical interventions can often be avoided or replaced.

Which areas can be examined/treated with ENT endoscopy in our practice in Frankfurt?

In our Practice clinic in Frankfurt we carry out the following endoscopic examinations:

  • Rhinoscopy of the nose
  • Endoscopy of the nasopharynx (epipharyngoscopy)
  • Endoscopy of the pharynx (hypopharyngoscopy)
  • Laryngoscopy of the larynx (laryngoscopy)

When do I need a rhinoscopy?

An endoscopy of the nose can be performed, for example, in the case of severe, recurring nosebleeds or if there is a foreign body in the nose. In this way, the foreign body can be visualised and removed. A rhinoscopy can also be performed in the case of rhinitis, i.e. inflammation of the nasal cavity, in order to assess the extent of the inflammation. The same applies to sinusitis, i.e. inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Another area of application of rhinoscopy is the assessment of tumours in the nose or paranasal sinuses. It is also possible to take a biopsy.

Why is nasopharyngoscopy/epipharyngoscopy needed?

If it is suspected that the patient is suffering from pharyngitis in an acute or already chronic stage, a nasopharyngoscopy should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Epipharyngoscopy is also used to recognise malformations or injuries in the area of the throat as well as tube dysfunction or tympanic effusions. If unclear blood secretions are found in the nasal mucus, an endoscopy of the nasopharyngeal area is also recommended. Endoscopy is also suitable for the diagnosis/biopsy of tumours in this area.

When should a laryngoscopy be performed?

An endoscopy of the larynx should be performed before and after thyroid surgery. Other indications include persistent hoarseness, suspected acute or chronic laryngitis, injuries to the larynx and suspected paralysis of the vocal folds. Laryngoscopy is also necessary to detect changes in the vocal cords or laryngeal carcinoma (especially in smokers; at best in the early stages). We also use this examination method to assess possible malformations in the area of the larynx.

When is an endoscopy of the pharynx/hypopharyngoscopy necessary?

In order to rule out a tumour in the pharynx, an endoscopic examination of the pharynx should be carried out if swallowing difficulties in the deep throat persist for more than three weeks and do not respond to drug therapy. In many cases, the procedure is combined with a microlaryngoscopy (examination of the larynx under a microscope).

What types of ENT tumours are there?

Unfortunately, cancer can occur almost anywhere in the body - including the throat, nose and ears.

ENT tumours often occur in the oral cavity (lip, tongue, floor of the mouth, palate, cheeks, salivary glands), in the throat, larynx and trachea as well as in the nose, paranasal sinuses, maxillary sinuses, frontal sinuses and ears.

The most common types are tumours of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx.

How do ENT tumours manifest themselves?

Every tumour has its own specific symptoms - but these can be varied and sometimes difficult to distinguish from other diseases. The symptoms also vary depending on where the tumour is located. These can include discolouration, swelling or open, bleeding areas on the mucous membrane, pain, sudden movement restrictions (e.g. in the tongue) or persistent difficulty swallowing.

Persistent hoarseness, a foreign body sensation in the throat, the constant feeling of having to clear your throat, breathing difficulties and a sore throat that lasts for days and weeks MAY (but does not have to!) indicate an ENT tumour. One-sided obstructed nasal breathing, a very nasal voice and frequent nosebleeds are further symptoms that should definitely be investigated. Extraordinary ear pain, hearing loss, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, weakness, dizziness, tiredness and weight loss are also signs of illness that should be investigated.

What causes can head and neck tumours have?

Cancer in the head and neck area can be favoured by various factors. In general, these include smoking, regular and high alcohol consumption, viral infections (e.g. HPV) or occupational exposure to certain harmful substances. UV radiation and radioactive radiation can also trigger cancer. Furthermore, poor oral hygiene, a permanently damaged immune system and chronic injuries to the mucous membrane can contribute to the formation of tumours.

What are the symptoms of laryngeal cancer?

A number of symptoms can indicate laryngeal cancer, including hoarseness that lasts longer than two to three weeks, a change in the sound of the voice and a "throat clearing compulsion", i.e. the frequent need to clear your throat. This is usually due to a scratchy or foreign body sensation in the throat. A dry, irritating cough, difficulty swallowing, unexplained sore throat and enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes are also possible signs of cancer of the larynx in this combination.

What are the symptoms of throat cancer?

Possible symptoms (depending on the location of the tumour) include enlarged, non-painful cervical lymph nodes, obstructed nasal breathing, recurrent nosebleeds, fluid behind the eardrum, frequent middle ear infections, headaches and symptoms of paralysis of certain cranial nerves. Throat cancer can also manifest itself as a sore throat that can radiate to the ear, difficulty swallowing and bad breath. Other warning signs are sputum with an admixture of blood and shortness of breath.

ENT Frankfurt | Dr Thomas Fischer
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