Sentra provides the expertise of highly specialized ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and auxiliary healthcare professionals to provide clinical care for patients with problems affecting the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck areas.
As one of the largest otolaryngology–head and neck surgery departments, with the latest coblation technology for ENT procedures.
Ear Surgery
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Tonsil/ Adenoid Surgery
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep Study
Hearing Aids/ Audiometry
Pediatric ENT
Vertigo Treatment
Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery
Oral Cancer Screening & Treatment
Speech & Swallowing Therapy
Voice Surgery
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, improves the shape, position and proportion of the ear. It can correct a birth defect of the ear structure.
Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, can improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear. A defect in the ear structure that is present at birth or that becomes apparent with development can be corrected by otoplasty. This procedure can also treat misshapen ears caused by injury.
Otoplasty creates a more natural shape while bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face. Co9999rrection of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and self-esteem. If protruding or disfigured ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery.
Children who are good candidates for ear surgery are:
Endoscopic sinus surgery is a surgical procedure used to remove blockages in the sinuses. These blockages can cause sinusitis, in which the sinus mucous membranes swell and become blocked, causing pain, drainage and impaired breathing.
Endoscopic sinus surgery is designed to improve the drainage of the sinuses and to improve airflow through the nose. Endoscopic sinus surgery goals include:
Usually under general anesthesia, the surgeon will use an endoscope, a thin camera rod with a light at the end, to provide visualization and magnification of the sinus tissues. Specialized instruments can be used to safely and effectively remove causes of sinus blockage like natural blockages, nasal polyps and scar tissue.
Specialized instruments are also used to straighten the septum and reduce the size of the turbinates if required. Endoscopic sinus surgery does not involve cutting through the skin, as it is performed entirely through the nostrils. Therefore, most people can go home the same day.
Tonsil/ Adenoid Surgery
An adenoidectomy is the removal of the adenoid, the lymphatic tissue that sits behind the nose. The tonsils and adenoids are sometime also removed as a treatment for sleep apnea.
A technique pediatric otolaryngologists (ENTs) may use for an adenoidectomy is coblation. Coblation uses gentle radiofrequency energy with a natural salt solution to quickly and safely remove tonsils and adenoids. We also use microdebriders, cautery devices, and traditional sharp instruments when appropriate to remove adenoids effectively with improved recovery and lessened operative risk.
Monitoring your child post-surgery
Most adenoidectomies are performed on an outpatient basis. For those children who are younger or very sick, the procedure will be performed and the child will be admitted to the hospital for observation. Parents can be assured that their children are getting the very best standard of care after these procedures.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. It is far more common than previously thought. Sleep apnea happens in all age groups and both genders, although it is more common in men. It is estimated that as many as 18 million Americans have sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. There are two types of sleep apnea:
Sleep apnea is characterized by a number of involuntary breathing pauses or “apneic events” during a single night’s sleep. There may be as many as 20 to 30 or more events per hour. These events are usually accompanied by snoring between apnea episodes. But, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Sleep apnea may also be characterized by choking sensations. The frequent interruptions of deep, restorative sleep often lead to early morning headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness.
During the apneic event, you can’t breathe in oxygen or exhale carbon dioxide. This results in low levels of oxygen and increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. This alerts the brain to resume breathing and cause an arousal. With each arousal, a signal is sent from the brain to the upper airway muscles to open the airway. Breathing is resumed, often with a loud snort or gasp. Frequent arousals, although necessary for breathing to restart, prevent restorative, deep sleep.
Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important, as it may be associated with:
Certain mechanical and structural problems in the airway cause the interruptions in breathing during sleep. Apnea happens:
Sleep apnea seems to run in some families, suggesting a possible genetic basis. People most likely to have or develop sleep apnea include those who:
Use of alcohol and sleeping pills increases the frequency and duration of breathing pauses in people with sleep apnea.
In either form of sleep apnea, your breathing pauses a number of times during sleep. These are called apneic events. There may be as many as 20 to 30 or more events per hour. Between events, you may snore. But, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Sleep apnea may also cause a choking sensation. When breathing starts, you may make a loud snort or gasp. These frequent breaks in deep, restorative sleep often lead to headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Other symptoms include dry mouth or sore throat and problems paying attention.
Diagnosis of sleep apnea is not simple because there can be many different causes. Primary healthcare providers, pulmonologists, neurologists, or other healthcare providers with specialty training in sleep disorders may be involved in making a diagnosis and starting treatment. Several tests are available for evaluating sleep apnea, including:
Diagnostic tests usually are done in a sleep center, but new technology may allow some sleep studies to be done in your home.
Specific treatment will be determined by your healthcare provider based on:
Medicines are generally not effective in the treatment of sleep apnea. Therapy may include the following:
Surgical procedures to treat obesity are sometimes recommended for a person with sleep apnea who is obese.
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that is far more common than generally understood.
It’s simple: we want you to hear better. Keeping your hearing healthy allows you to stay engaged in your daily life. It’s an essential part of life, one that not only has an impact on you, but can also affect those around you. When there is a change in your hearing or the hearing of a loved one, it is our job to partner with you to find the right solution.
We use state-of-the-art tools and offer the full range of hearing devices. From our experience, we have selected the top brands of consumer hearing products (hearables), non-surgical medical devices (hearing aids), and surgical medical devices (bone anchored and cochlear/brainstem implants)—and will help you determine which will work best for you.
In the Pediatric Airway, Voice, and Swallowing Center, we provide care for pediatric patients with congenital and/or acquired disorders of the aero-digestive tract that may affect their ability to eat, breathe, or speak. Our center is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Mass. Eye and Ear and the Mass General Hospital for Children, offering enhanced care to children by allowing them to see several specialists during one visit.
Under the direction of Christopher J. Hartnick, MD, MS, our center includes specially trained physicians, technicians, nurses, and speech-language pathologists. Our focal point is on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting voice and breathing in infants and young children. These disorders can include, but are not limited to:
The causes of these disorders may be straightforward, but often require expertise from several specialties, including pediatric otolaryngology, gastroenterology, and pulmonology. Our team will work with you and your child to find the treatment plan that best suits your needs.
As one of the largest centers of its kind, we specialize in treating disorders that affect your thyroid and/or parathyroid glands. Thyroid disorders are common and can dramatically affect a person’s quality of life. We work closely with a team of fellowship-trained specialists to provide each patient with a plan of care that best fits their needs.
As one of the highest volume centers for thyroid and parathyroid surgery, our team led by
Dr Rahul Modi, has extensive experience treating a variety of thyroid and parathyroid conditions. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of the neck, while your parathyroid glands are four tiny neck glands that control calcium levels.
With a strong emphasis and commitment to surgical safety, we utilize intraoperative nerve monitoring in every surgery we perform. We have used intraoperative monitoring in more than 3,500 thyroid and parathyroid surgical cases to date, making us one of the most experienced in the world.
Seeing thyroid and parathyroid patients at five locations throughout New England, our team has the expertise and state-of-the-art technology to successfully treat the entire breadth of conditions related to these areas.
Oral Cancer Screening & Treatment
Speech & Swallowing Therapy
Voice Surgery
Comprehensive otolaryngology is both a starting point and a destination for ear, nose, and throat patients. Many patients have their initial assessment and investigation with our general ear, nose, and throat specialists before potential referral to other specialists as needed to address specific problems and conditions.
Under the direction of Dr Rahul Modi, comprehensive otolaryngology concentrates on both surgical and non-surgical treatment of a wide variety of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck disorders, including:
Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery is performed to reshape structures in the head and neck including the nose, ears, chin, cheekbones, lips, hair and neckline. Success in this field depends on the skill, training, qualifications and experience of the medical team. Our team is comprised of some of the world’s finest facial plastic and dermatologic surgeons.
If you or your child suffer from problems of the ear, hearing loss, or often feel dizzy and unsteady, we are here to help. With dedicated services in both hearing and balance, we offer the latest treatments and surgical techniques for such diagnoses.
Voice
Experts in treating the voice box and upper airway, we are one of the few laryngology centers in the world. Laryngology focuses on the larynx (voice box), which is responsible for three central functions: voice, swallowing, and breathing. When troubles occur here, our team offers the most advanced therapies that not only treat the problem, but also preserve your voice.
Speech
The voice box (larynx) enables us to create sounds using air pressure from the lungs. When something goes wrong in the larynx or the nerves that control it, the voice can be adversely affected. Some of the warning signs of a serious voice disorder include:
Most voice problems stem from injury, nerve damage, cancer, or other growths in the body. With a team of specially trained physicians and speech-language pathologists, we are equipped to diagnose and treat the many causes of voice disorders.
If you or a loved one has experienced voice difficulties or sudden changes in voice, it is important to see a specialist to evaluate the problem. Depending on your symptoms and diagnosis, you may be seen by specialists in each of those areas throughout your visit.
Led by Dr Rahul Modi, the Voice and Speech Laboratory is here to help bring your voice back to proper function.