ENT2 week wait referral criteria

Aims To learn the ENT 2 week wait criteria.

Please get into groups for my fun quiz!

1. True or False Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria? An unexplained lump in the neck, of

recent onset, or previously undiagnosed lump that has changed over a period of 3 to 6 weeks.

2. True or False Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria? Chronic halitosis for greater than 3

months with unknown cause.

3. True or False Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria? Unilateral unexplained pain in the

head/neck area for more than 3 weeks, associated with otalgia but normal otoscopy.

4. True or False Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria? An unexplained persistent sore or

painful throat.

5. True or False Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria? Unexplained painless red or white

patches of the oral mucosa.

6. True or False Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria? Unexplained tooth mobility persisting

for more than 3 weeks.

7. True or False Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria? Unilateral anosmia persisting for more

than 3 weeks.

8. Question Hoarseness persisting for more than 3

weeks should be referred via the 2 week wait.

What else should you do?

9. True or False Is this one of the 2ww referral criteria? Unilateral tinnitus associated with

deafness.

Answers 1. An unexplained lump in the neck, of

recent onset, or previously undiagnosed lump that has changed over a period of 3 to 6 weeks.

True

Answers 2. Chronic halitosis for greater than 3

months with unknown cause.

False

Answers 3. Unilateral unexplained pain in the

head/neck area for more than 3 weeks, associated with otalgia but normal otoscopy.

False

Answers 4. An unexplained persistent sore or

painful throat.

True What is meant by persistent?

Answers 5. Unexplained painless red or white

patches of the oral mucosa.

False 2ww referral if the patches are painful,

swollen or bleeding, otherwise refer non-urgently.

Answers 6. Unexplained tooth mobility persisting

for more than 3 weeks.

True Refer urgently to a dentist.

Answers 7. Unilateral anosmia persisting for

more than 3 weeks.

False

Answers 8. Hoarseness persisting for more than 3

weeks should be referred via 2 week wait. What else should you do?

Chest x-ray

Answers 9. Unilateral tinnitus associated with

deafness.

False

Head and neck cancer 2 week wait guidelines:

An unexplained lump in the neck, of recent onset, or previously undiagnosed lump that has changed over a period of 3 to 6 weeks.

An unexplained persistent swelling in the parotid or submandibular gland.

An unexplained persistent sore or painful throat.

Unilateral unexplained pain in the head and neck area for more than 4 weeks, associated with otalgia but a normal otoscopy.

Head and neck cancer2 week wait guidelines:

Unexplained ulceration of the oral mucosa or mass persisting for more than 3 weeks.

Unexplained red and white patches of the oral mucosa that are painful, swollen or bleeding.

Hoarseness persisting for more than 3 weeks. These patients should be referred urgently for a chest x-ray.

Refer urgently to a dentist if unexplained tooth mobility persisting for more than 3 weeks.