Otolaryngology
(Head & Neck Conditions)

Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center provides Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as an adjunctive treatment for select otolaryngology conditions where tissue hypoxia, radiation injury, infection, or compromised perfusion contributes to disease progression. HBOT is FDA- and Medicare-approved for delayed radiation tissue injury, necrotizing soft tissue infections, and compromised grafts and flaps, and is recognized by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Common ENT Indications for HBOT

Delayed Radiation Tissue Injury (Head & Neck)

Radiation-induced vascular damage can result in progressive hypoxia, fibrosis, and tissue necrosis, including osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. HBOT increases tissue oxygen tension and supports angiogenesis and fibroblast activity in irradiated tissue.

Typical clinical scenarios:

• Mandibular osteoradionecrosis

• Soft tissue radionecrosis

• Non-healing post-radiation wounds

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

HBOT is used as an adjunct to surgical debridement and antimicrobial therapy for necrotizing infections of the head and neck, where tissue hypoxia and anaerobic bacterial proliferation contribute to disease severity.

Compromised Grafts and Flaps

HBOT may be used to support perfusion in compromised facial cutaneous flaps and grafts following reconstructive surgery when ischemia threatens tissue viability.

Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)

HBOT is recognized by UHMS as a treatment option for SSNHL, particularly when initiated early in conjunction with standard medical therapy. Increased cochlear oxygenation is believed to support recovery in ischemic inner ear injury.

Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure, resulting in elevated plasma oxygen content and improved oxygen diffusion to hypoxic tissues.
Clinical effects relevant to ENT pathology include:

• Increased tissue oxygen tension in ischemic and irradiated tissues

• Support of neovascularization in chronically hypoxic tissue

• Adjunctive antimicrobial support in necrotizing infections

• Improved tissue perfusion in compromised grafts and flaps

Treatment protocols follow UHMS clinical guidelines and individualized physician evaluation.