Ear, nose and throat

About

Our ear nose and throat (ENT) department is amongst the oldest in the world and we are the regional head and neck cancer centre, the regional thyroid cancer centre, the supra-regional skull base surgery centre and the national centre for adult airway reconstruction. Our adult airway service is the largest in Europe.

The department has 13 consultants who, in addition to routine ENT, have sub-specialist skills. Several members of the team are recognised as experts in their field. As a result patients are referred from all over the UK and other countries worldwide.

Otolaryngologists, ear nose and throat (ENT) surgeons, diagnose, evaluate and manage diseases of head and neck and principally the ears, nose and throat as well as structures of the mouth and face, salivary glands and thyroid gland.

• The ears: Otolaryngologists are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of hearing loss, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise (tinnitus), and some cranial nerve disorders. Otolaryngologists also manage congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear.
• The nose: Care of the nasal cavity and sinuses is one of the primary skills of otolaryngologists. Problems in the nasal area include allergies, smell disorders, polyps, and nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum.
• The throat: Communicating (speech and singing) and eating a meal all involve this vital area, otolaryngologists manage diseases of the throat, larynx (voice box), and the upper aero-digestive tract or oesophagus, including voice and swallowing disorders.
• The head and neck: In the head and neck area, otolaryngologists are trained to treat infections, benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumours, facial trauma, and deformities of the face. They perform both cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgery.

The principle sub-specialties of ENT surgery are:

• Otology: treatment of infection, disease and damage to the ear to improve hearing and balance. Neurotologists deal with conditions deep in the middle and inner ear where conditions are more closely linked to the brain
• Rhinology: treatment of sinus and nasal disorders, including allergy, to relieve pain, ease breathing and improve nasal function
• Laryngology: treatment of infections of the throat and larynx to ease speech and swallowing
• Head and neck surgery: away from the main ENT systems, specialising in surgery on cysts, glands such as lymph, salivary, thyroid and parathyroid glands and head and neck cancers
• Facial plastic surgery: this can include aesthetic procedures such as rhinoplasty (‘nose job’), pinnaplasty (bat ears), face lifts or reconstructive surgery such as re-setting the jaw. There is a big cross-over here with the work of plastic and oral and maxillofacial surgeons
• Paediatrics: there are many ENT conditions, often congenital, that require treatment at a very young age. These include airway problems, infections of adenoids or tonsils that require their removal and grommets for ‘glue ear’

Conditions and treatments

Our service treats a range of ear nose and throat conditions, including: 

Additional information

ENT emergencies

Patients are advised to go to A&E department if they have an ENT emergency as we have an on call doctor.

If you were an inpatient and have been discharged then need urgent advice, ring the nurses station on 020 3313 5584.

Imperial Private Healthcare

We also offer private patient treatment at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

All funds generated by Imperial Private Healthcare are reinvested in the NHS Trust, and are used to support and enhance both NHS and private clinical services for the benefit of all our patients.

For more information, please visit ear,nose and throat on the Imperial Private Healthcare website.

Further online resources

ENT UK