Vincent’s S.C.A.N.S
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Head and Neck Surgery
Specialist Clinic
Copyright Vincent Specialist Solutions Sdn Bhd 2016. All rights reserved
Last update: 10/1/13
This patient education is provided in good faith to help patients and their families learn more about their medical conditions, the options available to them and the possible consequences of
their decisions. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis, or treatment of any specific individual. Please consult with your ENT doctor regarding your particular circumstances.
DANGER AREA of the FACE
Infection in this area can be potentially life-threatening as the valveless communication between the
T-zone and the central nervous system venous drainage.
AIRWAY COMPROMISE
When you cannot breathe, NOTHING else matters !
INTRACRANIAL EXTENSION
Spread of ENT infection into the brain or other components of the central nervous
system can bring about disastrous consequences
.
ORBITAL EXTENSION
The orbital compartment is just adjacent to the
ethmoid sinus
EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF WORSE COMPLICATIONS TO COME
Infection of the hearing nerve (cochlear nerve) or trauma of the temporal bone can result in permanent nerve
damage.
IRREVERSIBLE HEARING LOSS, SCARRING COMPLICATIONS.
Eg permanent hearing loss IN Infection of the hearing nerve (cochlear nerve) or trauma of the temporal bone
can result in permanent nerve damage., Cauliflower ear in perichondrial hematoma
.
RISK OF SEPSIS OR DISSEMINATED INFECTION
Especially in those immunocompromised group.
EXTREMES OF AGE -TOO YOUNG OR TOO OLD ?
Hearing usually returns completely after the blockage is removed. However, it may happen again in the future if the old
habits of using cotton
UNDERLYING CANCER ?
Some things are not as straight-forward.
Infection refers to the entrance of microorganisms eg. bacteria, virus or fungal entering through our body barriers.
Though
in
most
cases,
ENT,
head
and
neck
infections
are
not
serious,
condtions
associated
with
the
complications
ot
danger
signs
below
warrant
early
referral
to an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon before it is too late.
ASPIRATION
Passage of fluid or food into your windpipe commonly due to incoordination of
swallowing. Contributing factors include vocal cord palsy, degenerative nerve disease.
Incomplete closure of the vocal cords
(black arrow) and stagnation of saliva
(yellow arrow) due NPC nerve damage
potentially causing aspiration
Ludwig’s angina (submandibular
cellulitis) causing shortness of breath
Abscess over the nasal
bridge - The Danger Zone of
the face
Abscess arising from the left salivary (parotid) gland
potentially putting the facial nerve at risk
X-ray showing a foreign body (a
coin) in the esophagus, or is it in
the windpipe ?
An infant with extensive periorbital
abscess due to acute sinusitis
The primary cancer discovered ‘sitting’ in the
nasopharynx, the area at the back of the nose.
Sure looks benign/non-cancerous !
The patient presenting with a right neck lymph
node swelling -Is this due to a cancer - a primary
cancer of the lymph node (lymphoma) or a
sceondary metastasis from a primary somewhere
else? Or just a lymph node enlargement due to
infection ?
The primary cancer discovered ‘sitting’ in the
nasopharynx, the area at the back of the nose
(Please click on picture for larger view)
(Please click on picture for larger view)
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D
R.
V
INCENT
T
AN
Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck Surgeon,
MD (UKM), MS ORL-HNS (UKM), DOHNS RCS Edinburgh (UK), MRCS Edinburgh (UK), Postgrad. Cert.in Allergy (UK), A.M. (Mal),
Fellowship in Rhinology (Singapore)
Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncology & Surgery (Amsterdam)
+603-3377 7864
+6012-3760 728
ENTdrvincenttan@gmail.com
