M.D. Salih Manavoğlu

I brought my 4-year-old son, Leo, to Dr. Salih after weeks of sleepless nights due to what I thought was just a stubborn ear infection. Other doctors kept prescribing antibiotics that did nothing. Dr. Salih didn't just look in his ears; he watched how Leo played in the waiting room. He asked about his swimming habits and his recent obsession with blowing bubbles through a straw. He diagnosed a rare Eustachian tube dysfunction exacerbated by the bubble-blowing! His explanation, using a simple balloon analogy, made perfect sense. The minimally invasive procedure he performed in-office was over in minutes. Leo called him 'the ear wizard.' We've had peaceful nights ever since. This wasn't just treatment; it was brilliant, observant detective work.

As a 72-year-old classical violinist, the gradual hearing loss in my left ear wasn't just a medical issue—it was a threat to my identity and livelihood. I'd seen several ENTs who focused solely on audiograms and hearing aid fittings. Dr. Manavoğlu at Etiler Medical Center approached it differently. He spent an hour discussing not decibels, but sound quality, asking me to describe the distortion I heard when playing specific notes. He ordered a specialized CT scan others hadn't, revealing a subtle otosclerosis progression. His proposed stapedectomy was terrifying, but he walked me through the micro-surgical videos with the patience of a teacher. The surgery was a success. Last week, I played in a quartet for the first time in two years. I heard the cello's resonance perfectly. Dr. Salih didn't just restore my hearing; he gave me back my music.

This was no routine checkup. I woke up at 3 AM with a feeling of my throat closing and a bizarre, gurgling sound when I breathed. The ER at Etiler directed me to Dr. Salih. In what felt like a scene from a drama, he calmly assessed me while I panicked. He identified it as a rare, spontaneous pharyngocele—a pouch in my throat that had trapped air and fluid. He explained the urgent need for drainage to prevent infection, but his calm, decisive manner kept me from spiraling. The in-office procedure was uncomfortable but swift. What impressed me most was his 10 PM follow-up call that same night, just to see if the gurgling had returned. He treated a frightening emergency with incredible skill and genuine human concern. I owe him for a quiet, normal breath.

For years, I managed chronic sinusitis with sprays and occasional antibiotics. It was just 'something I lived with.' During a follow-up for my son, I mentioned my perpetual congestion to Dr. Salih almost in passing. He insisted on a proper evaluation. His approach was systematic: allergy tests, a detailed nasal endoscopy (which he let me watch on the screen—fascinating!), and a 3D sinus CT. He discovered a complex anatomical blockage and severe polyp growth that previous quick looks had missed. We tried a new biologic therapy he recommended, which he monitors closely. The change is profound. I can smell rain and coffee again. This follow-up visit for my child turned into a life-changing reassessment of my own health. Dr. Manavoğlu sees the patient, not just the chart in front of him.