Referral Criteria of ENT related disorders

1. Mohammed A. Alawadh
WHEN TO REFER TO
AN ENT SPECIALIST

2. ENT specialists are experts in both the medical and surgical management of the
following:
Conditions of the ear
Conditions of the nose
Conditions of the throat
ENT-related conditions of the head and neck

3. Referral Criteria - Ear, Nose and Throat:
Ear:
Tympanic Membrane disorders and perforation
Otitis Externa
Nose:
Adenoid problems/causing nasal, ear symptoms
Smell and taste disturbances
Throat:
Hoarseness of voice
Chronic sore throat

4. An ENT can diagnose and treat these conditions, but more importantly, they can consult with the patient if these
infections continue to develop and explain how to keep them from recurring.
chronic sinus infections

5. Many people had their tonsils removed as children. Nowadays, doctors try to treat tonsillitis with medicine and
if that fails, and ENT will need to perform surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.
Tonsillitis

7. If there's lumps in the neck or throat that won’t go away after two weeks, it may need referal to an ENT.
This could be a sign of cancer in the mouth, throat, or thyroid gland.
Swollen lymph nodes

8. While the primary care physician may initially treat a case of laryngitis, an ENT will be referred if the
symptoms continue for six weeks or more.
If accompanied with hoarse voice an otolaryngologist can diagnose the source of the problem.
Laryngitis

9. These are commonly treated by the PCP, but some severe ear infections may cause the eardrum to burst.
If there's repeated ear infections, a tumor or growth may be to blame and there will be need to consult with an
ENT to figure out what the problem is.
Ear infection

10. Hearing problems such as hearing loss, muffled sounds, tinnitus, and injuries can all be diagnosed by an ENT.
Treatment may just be wax build up or surgical intervention.
Hearing issues

11. The inner ear control balance. If the patient experience vertigo or dizziness, an ENT can help manage the condition.
Vertigo

12. REFERENCES:
Jim Hallam, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) referral management guidelines, Approved
by: ENT Endorsement Group, Review date: November 2015

13. End