Head and neck non-cancer conditions encompass a wide range of disorders affecting the throat, voice box, mouth, and related structures. At West Cancer Center, our multidisciplinary team offers expert diagnosis and personalized treatment to improve function, comfort, and quality of life for patients with benign tumors, vocal disorders, swallowing difficulties, and other head and neck health concerns.
New Sinus Surgery
This advanced procedure uses real-time CT and camera guidance for precision, involves no cuts – all done through the nose, removes polyps and clears blockages to improve breathing, and is covered by most insurance carriers after trying other medical therapies.
Chronic sinusitis is a long-lasting inflammation or swelling of the sinuses (the air-filled spaces around your nose and eyes) that persists for 12 weeks or longer, despite treatment efforts.
Chronic sinusitis can be caused by ongoing infections, allergies, nasal polyps, or structural issues in the nasal passages. It often requires a combination of treatments like medications, allergy management, and sometimes surgery to improve sinus drainage and relieve symptoms.
Broken Jaw
A broken jaw occurs when the mandible is fractured, typically from blunt force trauma such as a fall, vehicle accident, sports injury, or interpersonal violence. It is the second most common facial fracture, after nasal fractures
Symptoms:
- Severe pain, especially when moving the jaw
- Swelling and bruising around the jaw or cheek
- Bleeding from the mouth or nose
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- Misaligned teeth or bite
- Numbness in the lower lip or face
- Trouble speaking, chewing, or breathing
Diagnosis:
- Physical exam by your physician
- Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans to assess the extent of the fracture and check for other facial injuries
Treatment:
- Mild fractures may heal with rest and a liquid diet.
- Severe fractures often require surgical intervention to realign and stabilize the jaw.
- Recovery usually involves keeping the jaw immobilized and following up with specialists
Broken Nose
A broken nose, also known as a nasal fracture, is a break or crack in one of the bones of the nose—typically the bone over the bridge. It’s the most common type of facial fracture and can result from trauma such as sports injuries, falls, car accidents, or physical altercations
Symptoms:
- A visibly bent or crooked nose
- Swelling and bruising, especially around the eyes
- Nosebleeds
- Pain or tenderness, especially when touching the nose
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- A cracking sound when touching the nose
First Aid & Treatment:
- Stopping any bleeding by pinching the soft part of the nose and leaning forward
- Applying ice packs to reduce swelling
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Sleeping with the head elevated to minimize swelling
Medical Attention, if recommended:
- Pain and swelling persist beyond a few days
- The nose appears crooked after swelling subsides
- Breathing remains difficult
- Frequent nosebleeds occur
- Clear fluid drains from the nose (which could indicate a more serious injury)
CSK Leak
A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurs when the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord escapes through a tear or hole in the dura matter, the protective membrane. This fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord, and its loss can lead to a condition called intracranial hypotension, which causes the brain to sag within the skull
Types of CSK Leaks:
- Spinal CSF leaks, often causing positional headaches (worse when upright).
- Cranial CSF leaks, which may result in clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
Common Symptoms:
- Severe headaches (especially when standing)
- Neck stiffness
- Nausea
- Tinnitus
- Visual disturbances
Causes: can be spontaneous, post-surgical, or due to trauma.
Treatments range from conservative (bed rest, hydration, caffeine) to surgical repair
Jaw Osteonecrosis
Jaw Osteonecrosis, also known as Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), is a rare but serious condition where part of the jawbone becomes exposed through the gums and begins to die due to lack of blood supply. This typically occurs after dental procedures like tooth extractions, especially in patients receiving IV bisphosphonate therapy for cancer-related bone issues
Symptoms:
- Jaw pain
- Loose teeth
- Mouth sores
- Pus-like discharge
- Exposed jawbone
Causes:
- Reduced blood flow to the jawbone (avascular necrosis)
- Dental surgery or trauma
- Use of medications like bisphosphonates or denosumab
- Radiation therapy to the head or neck (in cases of osteoradionecrosis)
Diagnosis:
- Clinical examination
- Imaging (X-rays, CT scans)
- Blood tests to rule out infection (e.g., osteomyelitis)
Treatment
- Conservative management (antibiotics, oral rinses)
- Surgical removal of necrotic bone
- Pain management
- Avoidance of invasive dental procedures when possible
Osteoma of the Skull
An osteoma is a benign (non-cancerous) bone tumor that typically forms on the skull or facial bones, especially around the paranasal sinuses. These tumors are slow-growing and often discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated issues
Types of Osteomas:
- Compact (Ivory) Osteoma – Dense, solid bone.
- Spongy (Cancellous) Osteoma – Contains marrow and resembles normal bone.
- Mixed Osteoma – A combination of compact and spongy types
Symptoms:
- Forehead or Skull: May cause visible lumps or headaches.
- Sinuses: Can block drainage, leading to sinus infections.
- Eye Socket: May cause eye protrusion (proptosis).
- Jawbone: Can result in facial pain or difficulty chewing.
- Ear Canal: Might cause temporary hearing loss
Causes:
The exact cause is unclear, but osteomas may result from:
- Developmental anomalies
- Trauma or infection
- Genetic conditions like Gardner’s syndrome, which is associated with multiple osteomas and colorectal polyps
Treatment:
- Observation: If asymptomatic, no treatment may be needed.
- Surgical Removal: Indicated if the osteoma causes symptoms or cosmetic concerns. Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques are often used, especially for sinus-based osteomas
Peritonsillar Abscess
A peritonsillar abscess (also known as quinsy) is a pus-filled pocket that forms near one of the tonsils, typically as a complication of tonsillitis
Causes:
- Most often caused by bacterial infections, especially Streptococcus(like strep throat) and Staphylococcus species
- It occurs when the infection spreads from the tonsil into the surrounding tissues.
Symptoms:
- Severe sore throat (usually on one side)
- Difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth
- Swollen tonsils and lymph nodes
- Fever and chills
- Ear pain
- “Hot potato voice” (muffled speech)
- Bad breath
- Swelling that may push the uvula to one side
Diagnosis
- Physical examination of the throat
- Throat swab and culture
- Imaging (like ultrasound or CT scan) may be used to assess the extent of the abscess
Treatment
- Antibiotics (oral or intravenous)
- Drainage of the abscess via needle aspiration or incision
- In some cases, tonsillectomy may be recommended, especially for recurrent abscesses.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils, which are two oval-shaped pads of tissue located at the back of the throat—one on each side. It’s most common in children but can affect people of all ages
Causes:
- Viruses (most common)
- Bacteria, especially Streptococcus pyogenes(which also causes strep throat)
Types:
- Acute tonsillitis– lasts a few days to two weeks
- Recurrent tonsillitis– multiple episodes in a year
- Chronic tonsillitis– persistent inflammation that may not fully go away
Symptoms:
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Sore throat
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Fever
- White or yellow patches on the tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Bad breath
- Muffled or scratchy voice
- Headache or ear pain
Treatment:
- Viral tonsillitis: Usually resolves on its own with rest, fluids, and pain relievers.
- Bacterial tonsillitis: Treated with antibiotics.
- Tonsillectomy(surgical removal of the tonsils) may be considered for chronic or recurrent cases
Tonsillectomy
Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils, which are two oval-shaped pads of tissue located at the back of the throat.
When is tonsillectomy recommended?
- Recurring or chronic tonsillitis (e.g., 7+ episodes in one year, or persistent infections not responding to antibiotics)
- Peritonsillar abscess that doesn’t improve with drainage or medication
- Breathing problems during sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea
- Enlarged tonsils causing difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Tonsil bleeding or rare diseases, including cancer or tonsil stones causing severe bad breath
Procedure Overview:
- Performed under general anesthesia
- Several techniques may be used:
- Cold knife dissection (traditional scalpel)
- Electrocautery (heat to remove tissue and stop bleeding)
- Snare tonsillectomy (wire loop to clamp and remove tonsils)
- Ultrasonic or laser methods
Recovery
- Typically takes 10 to 14 days
- Common side effects include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and mild bleeding
- Pain management and hydration are key during recovery
Schedule a Consultation or 2nd Opinion:
Call 901.683.0055 to schedule your consultation or second opinion today. We accept all major insurance plans. For more information, email us at [email protected].