General examination
During the general examination, after the detailed anamnesis interview, the doctor devotes himself to the following areas:
- Ear and hearing / balance
- Nose and sinuses
- Mouth and throat
- Larynx
- Voice
The aim is to determine the current status of the organs in the head and neck region.
In an introductory consultation, the patient describes the reason for his visit to the doctor. The ENT specialist takes an anamnesis (gathering of medically relevant information that contributes to the diagnosis).
Then the nose (e.g. rhinoscopy, nasal function test), mouth, throat, neck and ears (e.g. ear microscopy) are examined. If necessary, the ENT specialist looks at the nasopharynx, larynx, esophagus and trachea with an endoscope. During a palpation of the neck, he determines the size and degree of displacement of the lymph nodes, and looks for any nodes and thickenings on the thyroid gland, the salivary glands and the sides of the neck.
Furthermore, the ENT specialist checks the sensory functions (e.g. balance, sense of smell). In addition, allergy tests and various hearing tests can be performed, depending on the question. For further diagnostic clarification, imaging procedures such as ultrasound and/or CT are used if necessary.