Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Otolaryngology

Otolaryngology
3.5
12096
5
First semester
OB
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Teaching staff


Dr. BALLESTEROS ALONSO, Ferran - fballesteros@uic.es

Ferran Ballesteros (responsable asignatura ORL-CCC): fballesteros@uic.es

Eusebi Matiñó: ematino@uic.es 

Jordi Serra 

Francina Aguilar 

Elena de Dios: ededios@cst.cat 

Luís García-Ibáñez: luis.bcn06@gmail.com

 Paloma Puyaltó: ppuyalto@uic.es

Introduction

Otolaryngology, whose full name is Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS), is a medical-surgical specialty that diagnoses and treats diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses, ears, pharynx-larynx, neck and salivary glands, and the oral cavity. It also includes facial plastic surgery.
The medical-scientific society that brings us together is the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC).

Pre-course requirements

Having passed the subject ‘Structure and Function: Skin and Sensory Organs’.
Given the anatomical complexity of the region, prior study of the anatomy of the areas to be covered, as well as their embryology, is recommended.

Objectives

The primary objective is to become familiar with the Specialty, one of the lesser-known fields of medicine despite having a significant impact on the quality of life of the general population due to its highly prevalent and incident pathologies.

Secondary objectives include exploring the full breadth of the specialty, encompassing both its medical and surgical aspects.

To develop professional practice within the specialty, emphasizing key values such as teamwork.

To gain knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the upper aerodigestive tract, which is essential for understanding its pathology.

To learn how to carry out an ad hoc anamnesis specific to the specialty, enabling rapid identification of the clinical problem.

To perform both instrumented and non-instrumented physical examinations.

To become familiar with the complementary tests used to support or confirm diagnoses within the specialty.

To understand all available treatments, both medical and surgical.

To recognize and manage the most common ENT emergencies, including life-threatening conditions.

Finally, to acquire competencies related to the doctor–patient relationship, critical interpretation of the ENT-HNS literature, and ethical commitment in medical practice.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • 07 - Understand and recognise normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ and systemetic levels, at different stages of life and in both sexes.
  • 09 - Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
  • 10 - To understand and recognise the agents and risk factors which determine health status, and learn how they determine the symptoms and natural development of acute or chronic diseases in individuals and populations.
  • 11 - Understand and recognize the effects of growth, development and aging on the individual and their social environment.
  • 13 - Obtain and develop a clinical history that contains all relevant information.
  • 15 - Ability to formulate an initial diagnosis and establish a rationalised diagnostic strategy.
  • 16 - Recognize and deal with situations that put life in immediate danger and those that require immediate attention.
  • 17 - Establish the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, applying principles based on the best information possible and safe clinical practice..
  • 18 - To indicate the most appropriate (pharmacological, surgical, psychological, social or other) treatments that are pertinent to the most prevalent procedures, in terms of rehabilitation and also terminally ill patients, including an evaluation of their effectiveness.
  • 19 - Propose preventive measures appropriate to each clinical situation.
  • 20 - Acquire adequate clinical experience in hospitals, health centers and other health institutions under supervision, as well as basic knowledge of clinical management and patient-centered proper use of tests, drugs and other health system resources.
  • 21 - Listen carefully, obtain and synthesize relevant information about the problems affecting the patient and understand the contents of this information.

Learning outcomes of the subject

Knowledge

  • Identify the guiding signs and symptoms of head and neck oncology patients for accurate topographic diagnosis.

  • Adapt the diagnostic tools to head and neck oncologic pathology according to the initial clinical staging.

  • Categorize chronic rhinosinusitis and its comorbidities by applying available clinical scales to indicate optimized treatment.

  • Indicate the most prevalent pathology in primary outpatient ENT consultation through directed anamnesis for its selection and study in the hospital setting.

Skills

  • Correctly diagnose middle ear pathology by assessing otoscopy and its clinical coherence with reported signs and symptoms.

  • Interpret variables in respiratory polygraphy in patients with sleep apnea to stratify their risk.

  • Understand the role of the ENT specialist in the head and neck oncology committee for proper management of the oncologic patient.

  • Diagnose hearing loss using tonal audiometry for appropriate clinical management.

  • Properly handle ENT consultation instruments, adjusting them to the referred pathology.

Competences

  • Clinically orient inflammatory ear pathology by using guiding signs and symptoms for accurate topographic diagnosis in the patient.

  • Identify normal otoscopy findings in patients with or without symptoms in the otologic sphere.

Syllabus

Lectures (CM)

  1. Hearing Loss.

  2. Inflammatory and Infectious Pathology of the Ear (including a brief description of minor and major ear malformations).

  3. Vertigo, Trauma, and Tumors of the Ear.

  4. Inflammatory and Infectious Nasosinusal Pathology.

  5. Pathology of the Facial Nerve and Internal Auditory Canal (IAC).

  6. Inflammatory Pathology of the Pharynx.

  7. Voice Pathology.

  8. Head and Neck Tumors (Oncology).

  9. Head and Neck Tumors (Oncology I).

  10. Sleep Respiratory Disorders.

  11. Cervical Pathology and Salivary Gland Disorders.

  12. Tracheotomy.

  13. ENT Emergencies.

Case Methods (MC)

  1. Inflammatory/Infectious Pathology of the External and/or Middle Ear.

  2. Nasosinusal Pathology and Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS).

  3. Dysphagia.

  4. Inflammatory Pharyngo-Laryngeal Pathology.

  5. Oncological and Cervical Pathology.

Active Group Methodology (MAGR)

  1. Nasal Obstructive Pathology: Topics will include nasal breathing difficulty, causes, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches; septal deformity, nasal and facial trauma; medical and surgical treatment of nasal obstructions; facial malformations and nasal foreign bodies; benign and malignant nasal tumors; midline granuloma; nasal obstruction and dentofacial development.

  2. ENT Emergencies: The most frequent specialty emergencies as well as classic emergencies in Otology, Pharyngo-Larynx, and Rhinology will be addressed.

  3. Tracheotomy in ENT-Head and Neck Surgery.

Skills Laboratory

  1. ENT Consultation Examination.

  2. Hearing Loss and Vertigo Examination.

  3. Imaging Examination in ENT.

Teaching and learning activities

In person



As indicated in the previous section, CM refers to Lectures (Clase Magistral), MC to Case Methods (Método del Caso), MAGR to Active Methodology in Small Groups (Metodología Activa en Grupos Reducidos), and LH to Skills Laboratory (Laboratorio de Habilidades).

The course format is fully in-person. We understand this may be challenging for some students who combine work and study, but we believe it is the best approach. During classes, information may be provided that is not included in the didactic or training materials uploaded to Moodle. Each instructor has the freedom to upload this content or not to the platform.

Being fully in-person does not imply mandatory attendance control (attendance will only be recorded in the skills laboratories), but low attendance may have consequences for the final exam.

Since the syllabus is extensive, students must understand that it is not possible to study only from a PDF or PowerPoint of a single class, as the information provided in these formats is telegraphic and will not be sufficient for the final exam, which requires logical reasoning.

Therefore, during the course development, reflective thinking within the specialty will be encouraged. The ultimate expression of this will take place in the exam, which will follow a MIR-type format, with more or less extended prompts and a predominance of clinical cases.

For this reason, it is necessary that students are proactive in classes, asking questions and redirecting the content if necessary. The current trend inevitably leads to a progressive decrease in lectures in favor of PBL (Problem-Based Learning), MAGR, and MC.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



 

Final Exam: 80% of the final grade, in multiple-choice test format.

Practical Workshops (MC and MAGR): 20% of the final grade, distributed as follows:

  • 70% MC (Case Methods)

  • 30% MAGR (Active Methodology in Small Groups)

Skills Laboratory: Attendance is evaluated here, but only negatively (absence will deduct one point).

Final Exam Details:

  • 70 multiple-choice questions (plus 5 reserve questions that will be specified during the exam).

  • The exam will be conducted in Spanish.

  • Four possible answers per question. Each incorrect answer deducts 0.33 points.

  • It is not possible to improve the final exam grade with any additional work.

  • It is also not possible to pass the course with any additional work alone.

  • No exceptions will be made for Erasmus students, except for extra exam time in case of language difficulties or previously notified special circumstances.

  • Exam review, if necessary, will be done jointly in a classroom setting.

Bibliography and resources

It is recommended to visit the website http://seorl.net and consult the Official Presentations of the Society.

Recommended References:

  1. Otorhinolaryngology. Clinical Manual. José Luis Llorente Pendás, César Álvarez Marcos, and Faustino Núñez Batalla. Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2012. ISBN 978-84-9835-371-6

  2. Manual of Otorhinolaryngology. Second Edition. Rafael Ramírez Camacho. McGraw-Hill Interamericana, 2007. ISBN 978-84-481-4677-1

  3. Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Pathology. Jorge Basterra Alegría. Masson S.A., 2005. ISBN 84-458-1328-5

  4. Lessons in Applied Otorhinolaryngology Volumes I and II. Constantino Morera Pérez and Jaime Marco Algarra. Editorial Glosa, 2004.

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 16/12/2025 16:00h
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