Ear cartilage meatoplasty (conchal cartilage reduction) for external ear canal stenosis — an operation to widen the entrance (outer/cartilaginous part) of the ear canal by reshaping/removing the obstructing conchal cartilage and associated soft tissue, so the canal stays open and can ventilate, drain, and be cleaned. Why is this being recommended? Your ear canal is narrowed because the conchal cartilage (the bowl-shaped cartilage at the ear opening) is bulky or positioned in a way that crowds the canal entrance. This can lead to a cycle of wax trapping, recurrent otitis externa/inflammation, discharge, blocked hearing, difficulty examining the eardrum , and repeated need for microsuction. Meatoplasty aims to restore a stable, self-cleaning canal opening and reduce recurrent problems. What benefit can you reasonably expect? The intended benefits are: easier ear toilet/cleaning, fewer blockages and infections, improved access for drops and examination, and (i...
What to do if your child has a neck lump? Neck lumps can be due to enlarged lymph nodes, birth cysts or lumps or (only 10%) malignancy. When you notice a neck lump in a child, consider the presentation's age. Is the child getting associated B symptoms, i.e. night sweats, fever, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, trouble breathing, itching or painful swelling in their belly? Note down any recent exposure to a person with flu-like symptoms, a young cat or any change in size or neck lumps becoming multiple. What happens when you visit an ENT surgeon with your child? The ENT surgeon will take a detailed history and perform a clinical examination of the tummy, ear, nose and throat. The ENT surgeon will request special blood tests, a chest X-Ray and an Ultrasound scan of the neck. Depending on the results, it may be required to do a sample surgical biopsy of the lymph node in a few cases. Which lymph node neck lumps in children are ENT surgeons more concerned ab...