What We Offer You for Ear, Nose, and Throat Care
- Advanced expertise in diagnosing and treating ear, nose, and throat conditions. Go to Conditions Treated
- Innovative surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, including therapies requiring extensive experience and training. Go to Treatments
- A multidisciplinary team that specializes in support for all types of ENT conditions. Go to Your Care Team
- Ease of access so that the services you need are conveniently available, anywhere and anytime. Go to Connecting to Care
At Stanford Health Care’s Comprehensive ENT Program, we treat a wide range of conditions related to the ear, nose, and throat. Our experts accurately diagnose and manage many issues within the head and neck, including infections, lesions, nodules, and tumors. Specially trained ENT providers work together to offer you the highest level of personalized care and support for many types of ENT conditions, including:
Ear Conditions
Some of the most common ear conditions we treat include:
- Eustachian tube problems, such as ear infections (otitis media)
- Fluid buildup within the ear
- Ruptured eardrum
Stanford Health Care's Ear, Nose & Throat program is one of the premier programs in the world for care and research.
Nose Conditions
Our ENT specialists diagnose and treat problems in the nasal passageways and sinuses, such as:
- Nasal drainage
- Nasal obstruction and congestion
- Noncancerous (benign) lesions in the nose (ulcer, lump, bump, or cyst)
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
- Sinus infections (sinusitis)
Throat Conditions
Our experts treat all types of throat disorders, including:
- Benign lesions in the mouth or throat (ulcer, lump, bump, or cyst)
- Benign salivary gland tumors, such as pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin tumor
- Growths or lumps within the salivary gland
- Infections in the salivary ducts or glands
- Inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis)
Other Ear, Nose, and Throat Conditions
We also diagnose and treat thyroid and parathyroid disorders, such as:
- Lumps on your thyroid gland (thyroid nodules) or enlarged thyroid gland (goiters)
- Parathyroid tumors
At Stanford Health Care’s Comprehensive ENT Program, we offer treatment options based on the latest research and health care advances. Depending on your condition, we provide medications and nonsurgical therapies to treat your symptoms. If you need surgery, we perform a range of minimally invasive options to target your specific concerns while minimizing complications.
Ear, Nose, and Throat Treatments
Our ENT program brings together a multispecialty team, including experts in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat conditions) and skilled nurse practitioners specializing in ENT. They often work alongside other subspecialties such as endocrinology, audiology, oncology, allergy and immunology, and neurology to provide personalized high-quality treatments for ENT conditions.
We work closely with you to manage all aspects of your care, from diagnosis through individualized treatment plans and ongoing support.
Treatments
Active Surveillance (Watchful Waiting)
If you have a slow-growing tumor or nodule, we may recommend monitoring it for signs that it’s worsening and needs treatment. Your doctor works with you to determine how often and what type of testing you need.
Medications
Depending on your condition and symptoms, we may recommend medications such as:
- Antibiotics to treat otitis media, infections of the salivary ducts or glands, sinusitis, or tonsillitis
- Antithyroid medications to treat thyroid nodules
- Topical medications for sinusitis based on testing samples (cultures) of bacteria in your nose
- Topical steroids to treat chronic sinusitis or nasal obstruction
At Stanford Health Care, our surgeons use the latest technology and least invasive options to help treat ear, nose, and throat conditions. We may recommend surgery for the following conditions:
Our ENT surgeons expertly treat ear conditions such as Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with minor outpatient procedures.
Otitis Media and Eustachian Tube Problems
If you have recurring middle ear infections or muffled hearing with fluid, we may recommend the following procedures:
- Balloon dilation: We use a balloon to stretch (dilate) your Eustachian tube to equalize pressure and clear fluid from your middle ear.
- Myringotomy: We make a tiny incision in your eardrum and suction out any middle ear fluid using a high-powered microscope.
- Tympanostomy: Along with a myringotomy, we place a tube into your ear drum to let fluid drain out. The tube usually stays in your ear for six to 12 months, when it either falls out or can be taken out by your doctor.
We use tailored approaches to treat all types of nose conditions, from lesions to nasal blockages to nosebleeds.
Benign Lesions in the Nose
Our surgeons perform the following procedures for benign lesions:
- Minimally invasive surgery: We insert a tiny camera and special tools through your nose to reach and remove lesions.
- Open surgery: We reach your sinuses or nasal cavity through an incision in your nose or mouth to remove lesions.
Chronic Sinusitis
We offer minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery to open your sinus pathways. Our surgeons perform this surgery through your nostrils, without using any incisions. In most cases, you also won’t need gauze in your nose to absorb fluid (nasal packing). This procedure doesn’t cause any facial bruising.
Nasal Obstruction and Congestion
Our surgeons use minimally invasive surgery to relieve nasal blockages if medications haven’t helped.
Nosebleeds
If other treatments haven’t been successful, we may recommend surgery to block off one to two major blood vessels that lead to nosebleeds.
Whether you have a benign or malignant tumor, infection, or another type of throat condition, our ENT surgeons offer a variety of treatments to help you feel better.
Benign Lesions in the Mouth or Throat
Our surgeons perform the following procedures for benign lesions:
- Minimally invasive surgery: We insert a tiny camera and special tools into your mouth or throat to reach and remove lesions.
- Open surgery: We remove lesions through an incision in your throat.
Benign Lesions in the Mouth or Throat
We offer surgery for pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin tumor, and other types of benign salivary gland tumors. Our surgeons remove the salivary mass while preserving and monitoring the facial nerve to reduce the risk of damage. We also remove part of the surrounding tissue to ensure there are no remaining tumor cells (the margins are clear).
Inflammation of the Salivary Ducts or Glands
We offer sialendoscopy to diagnose and treat salivary duct or gland inflammation. We insert an endoscope into your mouth and guide it to your salivary ducts or glands. The endoscope includes a small camera and light, along with specialized tools for the surgery. We can also deliver medications or fluids to your ducts or glands.
Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors
Our surgeons can remove the cancer along with a small area of healthy tissue around the tumor. This helps to ensure that we’ve removed all cancer cells. We sometimes also remove your lymph nodes (lymphadenectomy).
Tonsillitis
For recurring tonsillitis, we may recommend removing your tonsils (tonsillectomy).
We offer skilled surgical treatment for parathyroid tumors and thyroid nodules and goiters.
Parathyroid Tumors
Our surgeons perform parathyroidectomy to remove one or more abnormal parathyroid glands. During this procedure, they aim to reduce the scarring and nerve damage that may go along with more traditional parathyroid surgeries.
Thyroid Nodules or Goiters
We perform various types of thyroid surgery, including:
- Thyroid lobectomy: Removes one lobe of your thyroid
- Total thyroidectomy: Removes your entire thyroid gland
Your wellness plays a role in the success of your treatment. We offer a range of support services to assist you and your family throughout your healthcare journey. Whether its spiritual counseling, transportation assistance, or help with your finances, we’re here for you whenever you need us.
Through teamwork, our doctors continually advance our approach to diagnosis and treatment and improve the care experience. At weekly review meetings, experts from multiple disciplines review cases that require more complex recommendations.
Our extended care team embodies the same cooperative spirit to provide support for all your individual physical, emotional, and daily living needs. Our goal is to maximize treatment success while minimizing the impact that an ear, nose, throat, or neck condition diagnosis and its treatment can have on your life.
Your Doctors
Otolaryngologist-Head & Neck Surgeon
An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon is a physician who has specialized training to provide comprehensive medical and surgical care of patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems, and related structures of the head and neck.
View All {0} Head And Neck SurgeonsAdvanced Practice Provider (APP)
Our skilled nurse practitioners and physician assistants specialize in diagnosing and treating ENT conditions. These providers, called advanced practice providers (APPs), see patients independently and alongside your doctor. APPs can give you a thorough exam, write prescriptions, and help prevent or treat medical conditions.
View All {0} Advanced Practice Provider DoctorsExtended Care Team
Nurses and Nurse Coordinators (RNs)
Nurses and nurse coordinators are registered nurses who coordinate your care with your ENT team. They guide you through follow-up care and help you find counseling, financial assistance, and other support services.
View All {0} PodiatristsCare Coordinators
Care coordinators provide you with information and assistance before and during your appointment.
- Medical Assistant: Medical assistants work with our team to help provide care. They may prepare you for an examination, assist your doctor, or take your vital signs before your appointment.
- Patient Care Coordinator: Our patient care coordinators help you with scheduling appointments and accessing your lab results. They are your first line of contact before you see your provider and will guide you during your ENT care.
- Patient Access Representative: Patient access representatives can answer your questions about health insurance coverage, help you apply for health insurance, and refer you to our financial counselors.
Research Coordinators
Doctors at Stanford Health Care’s Comprehensive ENT Program participate in research efforts to advance the understanding of ENT conditions and their treatment. Research coordinators help screen candidates for possible participation in clinical research trials.
View All {0} PodiatristsSupport Services
In addition to caring for your physical health, we also focus on managing your emotional health. We offer you and your loved ones exercise and meditation classes, support groups, and other services to help with self-care during your treatment and recovery process.
We strive to make access to care as simple as possible. We have a network of convenient locations across the Bay Area and a wide range of support services. User-friendly virtual health tools and video appointments help you stay connected with your care team from home. We accept most insurance plans and offer discounted transportation, short-stay options, and international travel and translation services. We make it easy for you to get the care you deserve. Our team guides you through each step, so you can make decisions that are right for you.
Ear, nose, and throat care is accessible and convenient at Stanford Health Care. Our scheduling staff can coordinate your appointments if needed, so that you can see multiple providers during a single trip.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Phone: 1-866-742-4811
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referring Physicians.
HOW TO REFER
Email or fax a referral form with supporting documentation to ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org or 650-320-9443.
To make an appointment with a Comprehensive Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist, call 650-723-5281.