ENT Department - Head and Neck Surgery Department

The ENT Department of the Central Clinic of Athens, offers comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical services. On an outpatient basis a large number of examinations are performed with the most modern machinery such as:

• Control of all individual organs such as the nasopharynx, nasal cavity, throat, pharynx , hypopharynx and larynx based on the method of endoscopy and registration with Video camera painlessly and easily.
• Full audiological control with audiogram, tympanogram and acoustic reflexes.
• Complete vertigo and instability control via position and video tests – nystagmography.

ENT Department Activities:

• Examination of patients suffering from acute and chronic problems related to auditory function disorders (hearing loss, deafness, tinnitus) and disorders of balance and orientation in space (vertigo, dizziness, unsteady gait, migraines, sudden drops to the ground).
• The study of patients with hearing impairment begins with a detailed history and clinical ENT assessment (ear microscopy examination, endoscopy of nose, nasopharynx and larynx). An audiogram and tympanogram follow.
• In cases of vertigo, it is examined /controlled the vertigo position the vestibular reflexes, the motor / sensory balance control and video-nystagmography with irrigation of labyrinth with air.
• In case of tinnitus the intensity and frequency are determined and the possibility of remission of tinnitus is examined , even temporarily with a special test.
• Patients suffering from acute deafness and acute vertigo attacks are treated using medication on an inpatient basis.
• Out patient drug therapies are, endotympanikes cortisone injections and gentamicin, ventilations eustachian tube, technical rehabilitation of vertigo with specific maneuvers and exercises of vestibular.
• The treatment of tinnitus is medicinal with alternating imioktaves NBN with consecutive irrigation, Laser, or a counseling program with technical support and cooperation with a specialized colleague.

Nasal Surgery- sinus (classical classical & endoscopic)

Straightening of skewed nasal septum.

Incision of the lower nasal concha with radiofrequencies and shaver for improving the functioning of the nose.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery using a camera and navigation system (sinuses, ethmoid cells, frontal sinus and sphenoid) to treat nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis and tumors of the nasal cavity.

Plastic surgery of the nose with or without the use of transplants as appropriate.

Surgical treatment of larynx diseases

The voice and speech is our most important communication tools. Each disorder involves the restriction of human expression and contact capability. The causes of voice disorders are many and include benign diseases (nodules, cysts, polyps, granulomas), malignant diseases, rheumatic diseases and neurological diseases.

The surgical voice treatment of diseases of the vocal cords (polyps, cysts, tumors, leukoplakia, etc.) is done using a surgical microscope. Tracheostomy.

Head and Neck Surgery

Surgical treatment of diseases of the parotid and submandibular gland in cases of lithiasis, benign and malignant tumors.

Simultaneous electromyographic monitoring of the facial nerve.

Surgical treatment of gill cysts and thyreoglossic cysts

Ear Syrgery

Tympanoplasty interventions for closure of perforation (hole) in the eardrum and in cases of chronic otitis

Vertigo Clinic

Diagnostic treatment of vertigo and balance disorders.

Equipment

Our clinic is fully equipped with all the modern study equipment.

1. Nose, pharynx, larynx endoscopes with system to log on video.
2. Tympanogram
3. Audiogram
4. Video-nystagmogram

Department of Neurology

Diagnostic tests and therapeutic treatments of all neurological symptoms and disorders are conducted at the Department of Neurology. A detailed patient history is first taken, which places special emphasis on the initial appearance and progress of the symptoms, and is followed by a personal and family history to determine hereditary disorders. The most detailed component of the diagnostic approach is the neurological examination which includes:

• Evaluation of the psycho-intellectual state (psycho mobility and general behaviour, level of consciousness, orientation, attention and focus, memory, judgement, intelligence) and pathological symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, emotional disorders
• Examination of cranial nerves
• Examination of motor system and cerebellar functions during which muscle strength, reflexes, the coordination of muscles in posture, movement and gait are examined.
• Sensory examination (superficial, in depth and combined).
• Examination for apraxia, agnosia, aphasia and anarithmia. The ability to move and perform motor functions, the ability to recognise objects in the surrounding area, the recognition of parts of the body and the ability to speak and comprehend language (both written and spoken) are evaluated. 
• Neurological symptoms examined and treated include:
  1. Primary (benign) headaches (migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches) and neuralgia (trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia etc.). Differential diagnosis and emergency treatment of secondary headaches (subarachnoid haemorrhage, subdural hematoma, temporal arthritis etc.).
  2. Painful syndromes such as neck pain and back pain (spondyloarthropathy, injuries, spinal cord tumours), pain in the extremities (pressure on the brachial plexus, carpel tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy etc.).
  3. Dizziness and vertigo (benign positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, Mėniėre's disease, cerebellopontine angle etc.).
  4. Fainting episodes (parasympathetic disorder, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, epileptic seizures, transient stroke etc.).
  5. Tremors (Parkinson’s disease, benign (senile) tremor, cerebellar tremor), choreoathetoid movements, myoclonus and restless leg syndrome.
  6. Gait disorders (Parkinson’s gait, sickle cell gait disorder, spastic-ataxic, apractic etc.).
  7. Speech disorders (dysarthria, dysphonia, logoclonia, palilalia etc.).

Finally, neurological disorders are investigated, treated and regularly monitored. Alzheimer’s and other primary dementia syndromes (vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies etc.) are clinically documented in great detail, based both on patient history and clinical examination and descriptions provided by the primary caregiver. In addition, a full lab workup (blood, biochemical, and thyroid) and imaging tests (CT or cerebral MRI scan) are performed. Key roles are also played by neuropsychological tests (memory, visuospatial capacity, every day task tests) in order for the diagnosis to be based on rigorous and internationally accepted criteria for dementia. The patient is given medication and is monitored regularly in order to regulate the medication and treat various symptoms which may present on occasion (depression, delirium etc.). Finally, caregivers are also afforded special attention and given instructions for the care of the patient and psychological support in the extremely difficult task of caring for dementia patients.

• Vascular cerebral accident (stroke): the patient is both clinically examined and undergoes imaging tests (CT and/or cerebral MRI scan), the rehabilitation programme is determined and treatment is administered to prevent a potential secondary accident. Potential accompanying pathological symptoms such as depression and dementia are also treated at the same time.
• Demyelinating disease (multiple sclerosis): when the disease is suspected, the examination involves both imaging tests (cerebral, cervical, thoracic and spinal MRI scans) and a full lab workup (blood, immunological, thrombophylic). In addition, the cerebrospinal fluid is also tested with a lumbar puncture to test for virological and oligoclonal IgG bands. The patient is given immunomodulatory medication and is monitored so as to ensure potential symptoms are treated (otho cyst disorders, fatigue, depression etc.) and is regularly informed about new developments regarding the treatment of the disease on an international level.
• Parkinson’s disease and other extrapyramidal syndromes [multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Ganglionic Degeneration (CBD)]: the patient is monitored regularly, medication is regulated as required and various symptoms which may appear throughout the progress of the disease are treated.
• Epilepsy: patient undergoes imaging tests (cerebral MRI scan) and an EEG (Electroencephalogram). The patient is regularly monitored so as to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication and is given instructions regarding preventative measures in daily life.

In conclusion, thanks to the collaboration between all departments and state-of-the-art equipment in the Clinic, a full examination can be conducted and all neurological symptoms and diseases may be treated.

Georgios Dim. Nasis
Neurologist

Central Clinic of Athens has organized a modern, state-of-the-art Orthopaedic clinic that is highly technologically equipped, in order to provide health services, responding to the patient's musculoskeletal system needs in the most effective way.

Orthopaedic surgeons of our Departments use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders; providing our patients with the highest standards of medical treatment abroad, coupled with the most cost-efficient options for medical travel. The CCA Orthopaedics Surgeons practice with as much care and professionalism as the other U.K. and U.S. colleagues.

Many of the Orthopaedic Surgeons of the CCA have been trained for many years at different Medical Centers in Greece and in U.K. and U.S. hospitals; and subspecialized in:

• Hand surgery
• Shoulder and elbow surgery
• Total joint reconstruction (arthroplasty)
• Foot and ankle surgery
• Spine surgery
• Musculoskeletal oncology
• Surgical sports medicine
• Orthopedic trauma