Otolaryngology is the “most diverse” of all medical specialties, according to Hill Country Memorial’s newest specialist now in practice at the HCM Clinic/Marble Falls.
“We see patients from all age groups and provide a wide variety of medical and surgical treatments, that are not shared by other surgical specialties,” said James Sorce, MD, Otolaryngology.
Formally, otolaryngology is the medical specialty concerned with the ear, nose, and throat, along with related parts of the head and neck. For that reason, practitioners are often popularly referred to as Ear, Nose, and Throat specialists, or ENTs.
Dr. Sorce portrays his specialty as the medical and surgical treatment of conditions “above the collar bone.”
“We treat conditions of the ear–hearing loss, infections, ringing of the ears; nasal conditions–allergies, nasal breathing abnormalities; hoarseness; and tumors of the head, neck, and mouth,” Dr. Sorce said. “We can also test for and treat allergies.”
While it is a specialty that deals with three of the five senses, many adults are not aware of the signs that the medical intervention of an ENT is required. Dr. Sorce points to coughing as a prime example.
“Chronic cough is often overlooked as a possible manifestation of an ENT condition,” he said. “It can be related to conditions the layperson does not necessarily associate with an ENT doctor.”
Increased awareness of possible ENT conditions is critical as early treatment can be “life changing,” according to Dr. Sorce, who professes a special interest in the surgical and medical treatment of nasal and sinus conditions.
“Surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps can be life changing,” he noted. “It restores nasal function of breathing and smell. It can have a profound impact on quality of life. Also, chronic hoarseness and voice changes can be corrected with minor surgical procedures.”
For those reasons, the specialist underlines the importance of evaluating patients with hoarseness that have risk factors for head and neck cancer. It is especially important in those who smoke or have smoked.
It is also not commonly known that otolaryngologists are surgeons as well as medical doctors.
“ENT doctors are surgeons first,” Dr. Sorce said. “Our specialty requires a surgical residency in Head and Neck Surgery.
Having access to a full-time ENT specialist is a benefit for patients who live in largely nonurban areas such as the Texas Hill Country.
“It is not typical to have an otolaryngologist in a small town,” said Dr. Sorce, who received his Doctor of Medicine at State University of New York at Buffalo and earned his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University in Chicago. Before arriving in Marble Falls, Sorce managed Valley Ear, Nose, and Throat in McAllen. From that background, he learned it is important that the patient understands the diagnosis and treatment.
“I like to get to know my patients; I like to educate my patients,” he said. “I like them to be very knowledgeable when they leave the office about what their diagnosis is and what it means. That is why I especially like being in a small town where I can get to know my patients a little bit more intimately.”
Contact:
While referrals from a Primary Care Practitioner are required in certain cases, patients can contact Dr. Sorce at the Hill Country Memorial Medical Clinic in Marble Falls directly by calling (830) 992-2830.
James Sorce, MD, Otolaryngology
HCM Medical Clinic–Marble Falls
801 Steve Hawkins Parkway