General Practitioners

• Cryotherapy
• Sinusitis
  Anything that irritates the nasal tissues can cause congestion. The list of possible causes is lengthy and includes infections (colds, influenza and acute or chronic sinusitis), allergies, structural abnormalities (deviated septum, enlarged adenoids/tonsils, nasal polyps or tumors), non-allergic rhinitis, dry air, cold temperatures, bright lights, cluster headaches, hormonal changes, medications, thyroid problems, spicy foods, tobacco smoke and stress.
• Medical Weight Loss
  A diverticulum is a sac or pocket that forms on a portion of the body. A Zenker’s diverticulum is a pouch that develops on the pharynx, in the upper esophagus of the neck. It may trap food, causing difficulty or pain when swallowing. Other side effects include bad breath, regurgitation, coughing, unexplained weight loss, irritation of the throat and aspiration (the passage of food or liquid into the lungs). Zenker’s diverticulum is the most common type of esophageal diverticulum.
• Snoring
  If you suffer from snoring and sleep apnea due to excess tissue in the throat or mouth that causes blockages of the upper airway, are unable (or unwilling) to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) – the preferred method for treating sleep apnea – or do not respond to CPAP treatment, you may be a candidate for UPPP.
• Ear Infections
  Ear infections can occur in the outer or middle ear. An ear infection occurs in the middle ear when fluid becomes trapped following a viral or bacterial infection. This painful affliction is most common in children, but can affect people of all ages. Infections can also occur in the outer ear. They are most common when the skin in the outer ear is dry and cracked. Ear infections can be either acute (of short duration) or chronic (persisting or reoccurring frequently).
• Sleep Disorders
  Snoring is extremely common: 45 percent of American adults snore occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. While many consider it a mere nuisance, snoring is actually a sleep disorder that can be the sign of a serious medical condition.
• Immunizations
  The incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)†related head & neck cancer has been increasing at a dramatic rate.  The American Academy of Otolaryngology†Head and Neck Surgery and the American Head and Neck Society strongly encourage HPV vaccination of both boys and girls to reduce the risk of head & neck cancer.Â

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  The ENT Center of Central Georgia was founded in 1956 by Dr. Claude Pennington. Dr. Pennington was a native of Macon, Georgia. He attended Mercer University at the age of 16, graduated from Mercer at the age of 19, and was accepted to the Medical College of Georgia shortly after. Following medical school, he first completed an internal medicine internship, then decided that he wanted to pursue otolaryngology. He completed a residency in otolaryngology at Columbia University in New York City. After spending a few years in the military, he came back to Macon to start his practice as his roots reside here. Dr. Warren Griffin joined the practice and had a huge impact in its growth and success. Dr. Griffin’s son, Dr. John Griffin, joined the practice in 1988 as his father retired. Dr. Pennington retired shortly after in 1989. Both Dr. Griffin and Dr. Pennington are listed as Emeritus.
• Endoscopy
  To diagnose Zenker’s diverticulum, patients are usually given a barium swallow. This coats the esophagus and enables it to stand out in contrast on an X-ray. Alternatively, endoscopy or esophageal manometry may be performed.

Psychiatrists

• Depression
• Mental Health

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care
• Thyroid
  Head and Neck. This includes treatment for thyroid disorders, lumps in the neck and cancer of the voice box.
• Thyroid Cancer
  When certain conditions interfere with normal thyroid production, surgical removal of the thyroid gland is performed. This is usually done when thyroid cancer has been detected, an otherwise benign thyroid nodule grows so large it causes problems or hyperthyroidism (a disorder in which excess thyroid hormone is produced) does not respond to treatment with medications or radioactive iodine, though this is rare.

Radiologist

• MRI
  Your otolaryngologist can diagnose an acoustic neuroma primarily through a review of your symptoms in conjunction with a hearing test and imaging scans (CT or MRI). Because growth of the tumor is usually very slow, many times your doctor will simply want to monitor the tumor’s progress over time, especially when few symptoms are present. Regular imaging tests every six to 12 months can track any growth.
• X-Rays
• Computed Tomography
  Symptoms of cholesteatoma include drainage from the ear, a feeling of fullness, hearing loss, earache and dizziness. Since these are also present in other conditions, tests such as CT scans and electronystagmography can be used to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis. Cholesteatomas continue to grow if not treated and can lead to complications such as...
• Chemotherapy
  The ENT Center of Central Georgia will make a decision based on these unique factors. Options might include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or a combination of the above.
• Radiation Therapy
  Radiation therapy delivers radiation to the cancerous cells through X-rays or other high-energy beams, causing them to die. It is most effective in early-stage cancers, where it may be the only treatment necessary.

Surgeons

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
  When a patient has been diagnosed with an oral cancer, transoral robotic-assisted surgery (TORS) may be an option if the tumor needs to be removed. TORS is a minimally invasive surgery that can be done through the mouth. It uses a sophisticated, computer enhanced system to guide surgical tools. This system gives the surgeon an enhanced view of the cancer and surrounding tissue.
• Ear Surgery
  Those with damage to the ears resulting from an accident or injury (such as a burn, laceration or torn piercing) are often viable candidates for reconstructive ear surgery. The type of surgery, and its success, depends on the severity of the trauma and may range from a simple outpatient procedure to a total ear reconstruction that takes months. Your best bet is to seek immediate medical attention following any type of trauma to the ears.
• Robotic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
  The ENT Center of Central Georgia is proud to be affiliated with the Georgia Hearing Institute and offers specialized care at the Central Georgia Head & Neck Surgery Center and the Allergy Center. All of our physicians are members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and the Georgia Society of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery.
• Reconstructive Surgery

Plastic Surgeons

• Rhinoplasty
  Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to repair or reshape the nose. It can change the size, width and profile of your nose. It can smooth out depressions or bumps on the bridge, and fix an imperfect nasal tip (one that is too large, droopy or curves upward). Large or wide nostrils may be reshaped, and a deviated septum can be corrected.
• Otoplasty
  Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure to change the shape, position, or size of the ears. It can correct defects of the ear that have been present from birth, or those resulting from injury or trauma. It is typically used to treat disproportionately large or protruding ears, and usually involves both ears to keep them symmetrical.
• Laparoscopic Surgery
  During the surgery, the surgeon will sit at a control console a short distance from the patient and operating table. They will precisely control the motion of the surgical instruments using two hand-and-finger control devices. The console display will show a magnified, 3-D view of the intended surgical area, which enables the surgeon to visualize the procedure in greater detail than laparoscopic surgery.

Dermatologists

• Skin Cancer
  Secondary cancers are tumors that have spread from primary tumors in other parts of the body to the head or neck. Most often, secondary tumors of the neck originate in the lung, breast, kidney or from skin cancers (squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma).
• Acne Treatment
• Cyst
• Lesions
  This can be caused by a number of factors including colds and viral infections, allergies, misuse of the voice, bacterial infections, acid reflux, sinus infections, vocal cord lesions and smoking. A certain degree of hoarseness is common as we age.
• Burns

Allergists

• Allergies