Inflammations of the mucous membrane occur in the oral cavity due to changes in the local environment, viral infections or fungi. If the complaints do not disappear after a few days of treatment with "home remedies", a clarification is indicated. In particular, persistent infections that require drug treatment and malignant changes that require further clarification must be ruled out.
Acute hoarseness usually occurs in the context of a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (cold). If hoarseness is accompanied by pain when swallowing, an ear, nose and throat specialist must be consulted in an EMERGENCY in order to be able to examine the larynx endoscopically. Bacterial infection of the larynx, although less common, is potentially very dangerous and must not be missed. Hoarseness lasting longer than 4 weeks must also be evaluated endoscopically to rule out changes in the vocal folds, which may need to be surgically ablated.
These disorders occur in the context of the above-mentioned infections and must be clarified on the same day in case of simultaneous sore throat and hoarseness. Painless swallowing disorders can indicate reflux of gastric acid, bulges of the esophagus, disorders of the actual act of swallowing or changes in the larynx or deep pharynx and must be clarified. In addition to an endoscopic examination by the ENT specialist, further clarification by the radiologist (swallowing examination with contraceptive) or the gastrointestinal specialist follows in some cases.
Examination methods:
- Endoscopy
- Stroboscopy
- Sonography
- Audiological examination
Sonography is a real-time imaging examination using harmless high-frequency sound waves. With the help of sonographic diagnostics, changes in the soft tissues of the neck, the salivary glands and the lymph nodes in the neck can be detected particularly well. Sonography is an important pillar of ENT diagnostics and can also be used safely in infants. Swelling, enlarged nodes, unclear sore throat, and in certain cases hoarseness and dysphagia usually require sonographic examination. As part of the so-called tumor aftercare (care of treated tumor patients), sonography represents a focus of aftercare for years in addition to the clinical examination.
