Pediatric ENT
Dr. Dobleman can assist children with a wide spectrum of ear, nose, and throat health care issues. Some of the more common services Dr. Dobleman provides include:
- Recurrent Strep Throat/Tonsil Infections/Tonsillectomy
- Adenoid /Adenoidectomy
- Myringotomy (Ear drum opening)
- Ear infections / Tube placement
- Pediatric Balloon Sinuplasty
Tonsillitis and Tonsillectomy
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. Symptoms of tonsillitis include swollen tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck.
Appropriate treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause. Most cases are caused by infection with a common virus, but some cases may also be bacterial.
A tonsillectomy, or surgery to remove the tonsils is performed when tonsillitis occurs frequently or doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Adenoidectomy
An adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove adenoids. The adenoids are a mass of tissue that is part of our immune system located in the back of the nose where the nose joins the throat.
There are several reasons why adenoids may need to be removed. In some children, adenoids become enlarged blocking the child’s ability to breathe, particularly while sleeping. In severe cases, it may lead to sleep apnea. Adenoids are removed to help children breathe and sleep better. Another reason to have an adenoid removed is to help relieve ear infections. Enlarged adenoids may also block or inflame the Eustachian tube, causing ear infections. A less common reason for and adenoidectomy would be to relieve nasal congestion.
Ear Infection/Tube Placement
Ear infections are common issues for children. A tube placement may be suggested for children who have recurrent ear infections or impaired hearing. Tubes are placed through a small surgical opening made in the ear drum, called a myringotomy. Placement of tubes can help with ear infections because they allow fluid to flow out of the middle ear, allow air to enter the ear, and prevent future buildup of fluid in the ear.
