Common ENT Problems Missed by Parents

 1. Runny, snotty nose: Adenoiditis is the inflammation of the adenoids that then blocks the nose and can cause breathing issues, stuffiness and often restless sleep. Diagnosis is made on history with kids improving for a short time on antibiotics; however, infection returns once the course of antibiotics is completed. On examination there are often normal tonsils but the child is an open mouth breather, and they have a chronic runny nose.
2. Severe sinusitis of childhood: These children are chronically ill with stuffy noses, thick mucus and open mouth breathing. They are often listless and not active physically. These are the kids that miss school for allergies or sore throats but the allergy testing and tonsil evaluations are usually normal. Diagnosis is made with a limited CT scan restricted to just the sinuses.
3. Silent maxillarysinus syndrome: These children often have allergies and open mouth breathing but have incidental blockage of the cheek sinuses on X-rays. It is very important to clear the sinuses using Balloon Sinuplasty to prevent the cheek bones from being deformed and small into adulthood.
4. Sleep apnea of childhood: The most common cause is massively enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Diagnosis can be made watching the child’s sleep patterns such as gasping breath, restlessness, bed wetting, failure to grow, hyperactivity and picky eating–particularly of large solid foods. Treatment is to remove the tonsils and adenoids.
5. Pediatric allergies: Chronic clear dripping noses in children who respond to antihistamines and Sudafed may be airborne allergies. Allergies can be diagnosed using a simple back scratch test and treated using the latest under-the-tongue allergy drops known as sub lingual immunotherapy (SLIT). This can be done at home, or for more severe allergies, standard allergy shots are recommended.
6. Serous middle ear infections: Serous means clear fluid in the deepest part of the ear behind the eardrum. These children cannot hear well and have a 20 percent decrease in hearing. This is treated by placing simple pressure equalization tubes in the eardrum. Antibiotics do not clear this fluid.
C. Philip Amoils MD, FACS Inc. is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology, USC Keck School of Medicine, and Advanced Pediatric Life Support Certified.
At SCENT we treat the ear, nose, throat, speech, audiology and facial plastic surgery needs for adults and children. Please contact us at 661-259-2500. You can also visit online at www.ScentMed.com and www.AbeautifulLook.com.