Ron Karni, MD is an ENT Specialist practicing at his clinic in Houston, TX, dedicated to providing comprehensive care for all ages. He is a registered provider with The Texas Medical Board, practicing under the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act). ENT specialists, also known as otolaryngologists, are medical doctors and surgeons who diagnose and treat a wide array of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck conditions, from common issues like sinus infections and hearing loss to complex cases such as head and neck cancers, often working in collaboration with your primary care physician. Dr. Karni is a head & neck surgery otolaryngologist affiliated with HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center and is accepting new patients. He earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, followed by an internship at Genesee Hospital, and completed his residency training in ENT at Genesee Hospital. He is Board Certified in Otolaryngology by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and Board Certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery by the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Karni is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, ensuring a supportive environment where patients and families feel empowered in their healthcare decisions. He provides consultations primarily in English. New patients should call (713) 322-4779 to schedule an appointment.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Karni is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Karni's approach to ENT care is patient-centered and comprehensive. He prioritizes clear and thorough communication, providing detailed explanations of diagnoses and treatment options. His practice integrates the latest medical advancements with a focus on individualized care plans, ensuring each patient receives the most appropriate and effective treatment for their specific needs.
By working together, you and Dr. Karni can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Cigna
Curative
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Advantage HMO
- Blue Card
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Choice
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Houston Area HMO-Standard
- Humana
- Humana Health Plan of Texas
- LocalPlus
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Preferred
- Preferred PPO
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Karni offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Cough: ENT doctors can help manage coughs related to throat or sinus problems, often identifying and treating the root cause of your cough.
- Cleft Hard Palate: A cleft hard palate, a birth defect affecting the roof of the mouth, is corrected with surgery performed by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
- Acoustic Neuroma: Growing on the nerve connecting your inner ear and brain, an acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that can lead to hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and dizziness; your ENT doctor can help manage this condition through various methods.
- Tinnitus: A ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in your ears that isn't from an outside source is called tinnitus; an ear, nose, and throat doctor can assess and help treat this condition.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: When the Eustachian tube, which drains fluid from your middle ear, is blocked or malfunctioning, it leads to Eustachian tube dysfunction; an ENT specialist can help relieve symptoms and restore proper ear function.
- Acute Respiratory Infection: Shortness of breath, cough, and fever can be symptoms of an acute respiratory infection; an ENT doctor can evaluate your symptoms, provide appropriate treatments, and monitor your progress.
- Enlarged Turbinates: Swollen tissues within your nasal cavity, called enlarged turbinates, can cause nasal congestion. An ENT specialist can diagnose and recommend treatment options.
- Acute Epiglottitis: An ENT specialist is crucial in diagnosing and managing acute epiglottitis, a life-threatening swelling of the airway at the back of the throat, often requiring emergency care.
- Tonsil Cancer: ENT doctors play a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of tonsil cancer, offering a range of options including surgery, radiation, and medication to help patients recover.
- Dysphagia: Experiencing difficulty swallowing? This is called dysphagia, and an otolaryngologist can determine the cause and create a treatment plan to ease your swallowing problems.
- Acute Tonsillitis: When your tonsils become severely infected, causing a painful throat and fever, that's acute tonsillitis. An ENT doctor can diagnose the infection and create a treatment plan, potentially involving antibiotics or surgery.
- Vocal Cord Nodule: Vocal cord nodules are small, benign bumps on your vocal cords that can cause hoarseness and voice changes, and an ENT doctor can help diagnose and treat them.
This list represents some of the common conditions treated. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional.
To provide comprehensive and patient-centered care, Dr. Karni offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Intranasal or Sinus Procedure: An intranasal or sinus procedure is a surgical or minimally invasive treatment performed through the nose to address issues within the sinuses or nasal passages.
- Laryngoscopy - Laryngotomy - Laryngectomy - Pharyngolaryngectomy - Pharyngectomy: Depending on the severity of the condition, these procedures might involve looking into your throat (laryngoscopy), making a small incision (laryngotomy), removing part or all of your larynx (laryngectomy), or removing parts of your throat (pharyngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy).
- Tonsillectomy: This surgery involves removing the tonsils to alleviate issues like severe, repeated tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnea.
- Parathyroidectomy: Parathyroidectomy is a surgical solution for hyperparathyroidism, a condition marked by an overproduction of parathyroid hormone, leading to high blood calcium.
- Middle Ear Implant Candidacy Evaluation: Before getting a middle ear implant, this evaluation assesses your hearing and overall health to ensure it's safe and effective.
- Rhinoseptoplasty: This surgery corrects a crooked nasal septum, improving airflow and reducing nasal congestion.
- Thyroidectomy: To treat thyroid cancer or other thyroid problems, a thyroidectomy may be performed to remove the affected part of your thyroid gland.
- Audiometry: Audiometry is a hearing test that checks how well you hear different sounds.
- Ear Tube Placement: Ear tube placement is a minor surgical procedure to insert small tubes into the eardrums, helping drain fluid and improve hearing in children with recurring ear infections.
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): This painless test involves a camera on a flexible tube, inserted through your nose, to view your swallowing mechanism and identify potential issues like weakness or blockages.
- Tracheal Surgery: Sometimes, a surgeon needs to operate on the trachea to remove blockages or repair damage.
- Nasal Septum Surgery (Septoplasty): Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to fix a bent nasal septum, often relieving symptoms like snoring, nosebleeds, and facial pain.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for their professional license in Texas.
Dr. Karni is dedicated to partnering with patients to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how proactive care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from an ENT specialist, a patient experienced significant relief from a chronic cough, improving their overall quality of life. The specialist helped them understand the underlying cause of their cough, leading to a successful management strategy.
- After undergoing corrective surgery guided by an ENT specialist, a patient experienced improved speech and a more comfortable eating experience, leading to a significant boost in their quality of life.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
UT Physicians Otorhinolaryngology - Texas Medical Center
6400 Fannin St, Houston, TX, 77030
Phone: (713) 322-4779
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- Genesee Hospital (Residency Hospital)
- Genesee Hospital (Internship Hospital)
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine (Medical School)
- American Board of Otolaryngology (Otolaryngology)
- American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery)
Here are answers to some common questions about receiving ENT care with Dr. Karni:
- What kind of conditions does an ENT specialist treat?
- Dr. Karni, an otolaryngologist, is a medical doctor and surgeon who treats a wide range of conditions affecting the head and neck. He specializes in ear problems (infections, hearing loss, dizziness), nasal and sinus issues (allergies, sinusitis, breathing problems), and throat conditions (voice disorders, swallowing problems, tonsillitis). He also has expertise in thyroid surgery and head/neck tumors.
- Do I need a referral to see an ENT?
- Dr. Karni's office accepts many insurance plans. However, some, like HMOs, require a referral from your primary care physician. To avoid any potential issues, please check with your insurance provider to determine if a referral is needed before scheduling an appointment.
- My child gets a lot of ear infections. Do they need ear tubes?
- Ear tubes, or tympanostomy tubes, are often recommended for children with recurrent ear infections or persistent fluid buildup in the ear that impacts hearing. The tiny tubes help ventilate the middle ear and prevent fluid buildup. Dr. Karni can evaluate your child to determine if they are a good candidate for this common and safe procedure.
- What is sleep apnea and how can an ENT help?
- Sleep apnea is a condition where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. Dr. Karni, an ENT specialist, can examine the entire airway to identify specific areas of blockage. He can offer a range of treatments, including surgical options, not typically available from other sleep specialists.
- What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
- Dizziness is a general feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness, characterized by a spinning sensation. Dr. Karni can perform tests to diagnose the cause of vertigo, which often originates in the inner ear.
- What is a hearing test (audiogram) like?
- Dr. Karni will perform a simple, painless hearing test in a soundproof booth. You'll wear headphones and indicate when you hear a series of tones at different pitches and volumes. This helps him determine the type and degree of any hearing loss.
- Is it normal for my voice to be hoarse for a long time?
- Hoarseness from a cold or overuse should improve within a couple of weeks. If hoarseness persists longer than 2-3 weeks, it's important to see Dr. Karni. He can perform a laryngoscopy to identify the cause, which could include acid reflux, vocal cord nodules, or other issues.
- I found a lump in my neck. What should I do?
- While many neck lumps are benign, like swollen lymph nodes from an infection, any persistent lump warrants evaluation by a medical professional. Dr. Karni is an expert in diagnosing head and neck masses and can perform a thorough examination, including a biopsy if needed, to determine the cause.
6400 Fannin St
Houston TX 77030
Phone: (713) 322-4779
Ron Karni, MD is regulated by the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act) in Texas and is licensed by The Texas Medical Board.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1053434910
Registration can typically be verified through The Texas Medical Board website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by kellysearch.com, is for informational purposes to help you connect with local healthcare providers. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Healthcare providers like Dr. Ron Karni are trained to manage a wide range of health concerns. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.