Children's ENT
Mr Ali Qureishi treats a wide range of Children's Ear, Nose,Throat and Skull Base Conditions.
More information about the conditions treated can be seen below.
Glue ear
What is glue ear
Glue ear is a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum in the middle ear, also called otitis media with effusion. It can cause fluctuating hearing loss in one or both ears. It is different from an acute painful ear infection.
What you may notice
Your child may ask for words to be repeated, turn up the television or seem inattentive. Some children develop speech, listening or school difficulties, or problems with balance. Arrange a hearing assessment if you are concerned.
Assessment and treatment
Assessment includes examining the ears and hearing tests. Many cases improve within about three months. If hearing loss persists or affects daily life, options include hearing devices, autoinflation where a child can manage it, or grommets. Grommets are small ventilation tubes placed through the eardrums under anaesthetic. Adenoid removal may also be discussed. Each option has benefits and limitations;
grommets can cause discharge or leave a persistent hole after they come out.
Helping at home and school
Get your child’s attention before speaking, face them and reduce background noise. Tell nursery or school so seating and communication can be adjusted. Keep follow-up appointments even if hearing seems better.
Symptoms and assessment
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It can cause sore throat, fever, painful swallowing and swollen neck glands. Recurrent tonsillitis means repeated episodes.
Your clinician will examine the throat and ask about illness frequency, missed school and difficulty eating or drinking. Keep a record of episodes and treatment.
Treatment during an episode
Encourage fluids and rest. Age-appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen may help, following the label or your clinician’s advice. Do not give aspirin to children under 16 unless prescribed. Antibiotics may be needed for
bacterial infection; they do not treat viruses.
When surgery is considered
Tonsillectomy may be discussed when documented, adequately treated episodes are disabling: usually seven in one year, five a year for two years, or three a year for three years. Complications or particular medical conditions may justify a different threshold. Tonsil removal reduces tonsillitis but cannot prevent every sore throat. Recovery can involve significant pain for up to two weeks. Bleeding, infection and anaesthetic risks need discussion.
When to seek urgent help
Seek urgent advice if pain prevents drinking. Call 999 or go to A&E for difficulty breathing, inability to swallow, rapidly worsening throat swelling or difficulty opening the mouth. Fresh bleeding after tonsil surgery needs immediate hospital assessment.
Recurrent tonsillitis
Enlarged adenoids
What are adenoids?
Adenoids are immune tissue behind the nose. They are naturally larger in young children and usually shrink as children grow. When enlarged, they can obstruct nasal breathing or contribute to ear problems.
Common symptoms
Symptoms can include mouth breathing, a persistently blocked nose, snoring and disturbed sleep. Some children have breathing pauses during sleep or glue ear and hearing difficulties. Tell your clinician about witnessed pauses and how sleep affects your child during the day.
Assessment and treatment
Your ENT clinician will assess symptoms and consider whether other causes of nasal blockage are present. Mild problems may improve as the child grows. Adenoidectomy may be recommended for troublesome obstruction, sleep-disordered breathing or selected ear problems. It is performed under general anaesthetic and may be combined with tonsil or grommet surgery.
Recovery and risks
Recovery after adenoidectomy alone is often around one week. Temporary throat discomfort, nasal blockage and voice changes can occur. Bleeding and persistent voice problems are uncommon but need discussion, particularly if there is a palate abnormality. Follow the hospital’s recovery instructions. Any bleeding from the nose or throat after surgery requires immediate A&E assessment; call 999 if your child is
unwell or bleeding is significant.