- SinusitisOtolaryngologists treat diseases of the nose and sinuses medically and surgically. Common diseases include allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis and cancers of the nose and sinuses.
- Medical Weight LossWeight loss in many cases will improve sleep apnea. In milder cases, weight loss may result in significant changes in snoring to the point that apnea episodes would disappear. For the excessively overweight individuals, losing weight is more of a challenge since you may be too tired to exercise until effective treatment for your sleep apnea is established. There is a direct correlation between increasing neck size and sleep apnea. Fat deposition between your chin and "Adam’s apple" may be responsible for pushing your tongue closer to your soft palate, a key area of obstruction.
- Pediatric Care
- SnoringNot infrequently, children suffer airway compromise related to enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids. This can lead to snoring and sleep apnea, with associated problems such as daytime tiredness and impaired learning ability or behavior problems. Recurrent tonsillitis can also be problematic. Sometimes treatment involves medicines, and sometimes tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are required. In recent years, coblation tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy has been a major advance when this surgery is necessary. Our anesthesiologists have pediatric expertise, and Mills-Peninsula provides a warm and friendly environment with nurses skilled in the care of children undergoing outpatient surgery.
- Primary CareDizziness is a general term which can imply imbalance, lightheadedness, or vertigo, which is a sense of motion when no actual motion is present. The balance system is quite complicated, relying on the eyes, inner ears, pressure sensors in the feet and brain to coordinate appropriately. As such, it is important that every patient with dizziness undergo complete evaluation by his or her primary care physician. Lightheadedness may relate to blood pressure, blood sugar, use of certain medications, or a variety of other causes. Vertigo is more often related to the inner ear, but may also relate to migraine headaches, strokes and other central nervous system conditions. Viral illnesses of the inner ear or trauma may also lead to vertigo, as can certain inner ear diseases such as Meniere's disease. A common reason for vertigo includes BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo, which relates to benign calcifications that have become dislodged in the inner ear. The otolaryngologist can help clarify to what the vertigo may be related, and can recommend specific treatments for each cause. Audiologic evaluation is an important part of the evaluation.
- Ear InfectionsThe facial nerve, or the nerve which leads to movement of the muscles of the face, can cease to function for a variety of reasons. Paralysis can result from trauma, severe ear infections, or from certain tumors. If a specific cause cannot be found, often the term used to describe the facial nerve weakness is Bell's Palsy. Inflammation of the nerve in this case is often thought to result from a viral infection. It is important that the various potential causes of facial nerve paralysis be examined and treated promptly.
- Infectious DiseasesThe Head and Neck -This center of the body includes the important nerves that control sight, smell, hearing, and the face. In the head and neck area, otolaryngologists are trained to treat infectious diseases, both benign and malignant (cancerous) tumors, facial trauma, and deformities of the face. They perform both cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgery.
- OphthalmologyDr. Boudett was the first private practitioner in the area to have specialized in Otolaryngology, as prior to that time the specialty of Ophthalmology was combined with Otolaryngology and specialists were Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat doctors.
- EndoscopySometimes, reflux ("heartburn") is the cause of hoarseness: this disorder is treated with medication to reduce the stomach's acid production and dietary changes. Careful examination of the esophagus may be warranted in some individuals: today, this can be performed in an endoscopy suite with sedation, but is increasing performed as an office procedure by ENT physicians.
- Cancer Care
- Thyroid
- Thyroid CancerThe thyroid gland is a "bow tie" shaped structure that overlies the trachea and helps regulate the body's metabolism. Occasionally, growths can develop in the thyroid gland which might be felt as a lump by an individual or by their primary care provider. Fortunately, the majority of growths within the thyroid gland are non-cancerous, or benign. Risk factors for thyroid cancer include a family history of thyroid cancer or a history of exposure to excessive radiation. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include: a lump in the thyroid gland, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness and/or throat discomfort.
- UltrasoundIf you have any of these symptoms, you should pursue an evaluation by an ENT physician who will examine your thyroid gland and may suggest further tests such as an ultrasound examination of the thyroid, which may also include a fine needle aspiration of the gland. Should surgery be required, the doctors at Ear, Nose and Throat Associates have considerable experience in managing thyroid tumors. To ensure the safety of thyroid surgery and to minimize the risk of a vocal cord injury (a known risk from this surgery), our physician group uses contemporary laryngeal nerve monitoring at the time of thyroid surgery. We also work closely with San Mateo community endocrinologists and radiation therapists to provide comprehensive care for thyroid cancer patients.
- MRIIf an abnormality is apparent, then your physician will discuss arranging a biopsy and possibly a fine needle aspiration, which is a relatively painless procedure to sample cells from a neck mass, thyroid gland or salivary gland. Evaluation of tissue samples by a pathologist will verify the diagnosis; your ENT doctor may also recommend other X-ray studies such as an MRI, CT, or PET scan to provide more detailed information about the tumor's extent. Increasingly, tumors of the head and neck regions can be successfully treated, if diagnosed early. The physicians at Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of San Mateo will work closely with an oncologist and/or radiation therapist to ensure that you receive the best possible compassionate care, using a multidisciplinary approach.
- X-Rays
- Computed TomographyThe Fusion Navigation System allows the surgeon to perform image-guided endoscopic sinus surgery. A special CT scan of the sinus is done pre-operatively, and entered into the computerized system. The system is then used during the surgery to confirm the position of the surgeon’s instruments at all times. The CT images and direct views from the endoscope are visualized throughout the procedure.
- ChemotherapyCancers of the internal nose and sinuses are very rare, yet cannot be missed. Diagnosis involves office-based nasal endoscopy and computer tomography identification. A multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment is usually required. This may include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
- Radiation TherapyCancer of the larynx (voicebox) is associated with a history of tobacco and alcohol abuse. Symptoms of throat cancer include, hoarseness, pain with swallowing, bringing up blood, a lump in the neck, or ear pain. If you develop any of these symptoms, a comprehensive evaluation by an otolaryngologist is extremely important. An ENT doctor will carefully examine your larynx and neck. If an abnormal growth is noted, then your physician will order a MRI, CT and/or PET scan. Your physician will also recommend an examination of your throat under general anesthesia (laryngoscopy) and will perform a biopsy of the lesion. Many throat cancers are treatable and, increasingly, non-surgical approaches using focused radiation therapy (intensity modulated radiotherapy or IMRT) with or without chemotherapy successfully control these cancers. The physicians at Ear, Nose and Throat Associates are experienced with managing throat cancers using surgical and non-surgical approaches and will work closely with radiation therapy and oncology physicians to ensure that you receive comprehensive cancer treatment.
- Radiation OncologyIf you or your family doctor suspects that you have a growth in a salivary gland, we recommend an ENT evaluation. Your otolaryngologist will examine the gland and neck lymph nodes and may suggest a fine needle aspiration study to collect cells from the growth that can be examined microscopically by a pathologist to determine the nature of the tumor. Your physican may also request special scans such as an MRI or CT scan to better examine the growth. Depending on the type of tumor, surgery may be advised. The physicians at Ear, Nose and Throat Associates have considerable experience with salivary gland surgery and take the extra precaution of using facial nerve monitoring for some types of salivary gland surgery to minimize any risk to the facial nerve. If radiation therapy is required, then we will work closely with our radiation oncology colleagues to ensure that a patient receives comprehensive cancer care.
- Ear SurgeryA cholesteatoma is an abnormal collection of skin behind the eardrum. Often this results from chronic eustachian tube dysfunction, but more rarely may be present at birth. Though not a tumor, a cholesteatoma may cause destruction of the normal ear structures, including the eardrum, or the middle ear bones. These bones, also known as ossicles, include the malleus, incus and stapes. More rarely, cholesteatomas may cause injury to the facial nerve, disrupt the balance system, or lead to meningitis. It is important that cholesteatomas be evaluated by an otolaryngologist in a timely manner. Most often tympanomastoidectomy ear surgery is required for removal. Physicians in the Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of San Mateo practice perform these surgeries regularly. They are performed using NIM (Nerve Integrity Monitoring) to help protect of the facial nerve during surgery.
- OtolaryngologyDr. Laane attended Stanford University, earning a B.S. in Biology with Distinction and Honors in 1993. She stayed at Stanford University for medical school, graduating in 1997. For residency training in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, she moved on to University of California at San Francisco. She is now a partner in Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of San Mateo, having joined the practice in 2002.
- Reconstructive SurgeryFacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: cosmetic, functional, and reconstructive surgical treatment of abnormalities of the face and neck.
- Rhinoplasty
- Face Lift
- LesionsVoice disorders arise from the larynx ("voice box") and may be triggered by vocal strain, gastroesophageal reflux ("heartburn" or GERD), lesions on the vocal cords such as nodules, cysts, or polyps, sid effects from medications, trauma, neurologic disorders and smoking. Symptoms of throat disorders include hoarseness, throat discomfort, shortness of breath, swallowing disorders, and occasionally, ear pain.
- Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy
- Neck Pain
- Neuro Rehabilitation
- Manual Therapy
- Geriatrics
- Allergies