Metastasis of melanoma in the head and neck region is often reported but the report of amelanotic melanoma metastatic to the epiglottis is an extremely rare entity.

This paper describes a patients previously treated for cutaneous amelanotic melanoma who developed metastatic tumour involving his epiglottis. This legion was successfully excised by a intra-oral approach combined with KTP/532 laser surgery. The paper also describes the diagnostic evaluation, management, operative technique and DNA analysis of this rare case.

Terminal duct carcinoma of salivary glands is an uncommon, histologically distinctive, low grade malignant neoplasm arising from the intercalated salivary duct. We present a case arising eight years after removal of a parotid tumour reported as a pleomorphic adenoma. We describe the clinico-pathological features of the present tumour, illustrate the difficulties that may be encountered in differentiating it from other salivary gland tumours, and discuss the possible significance of the previous tumour.

The occurrence of acinic cell carcinoma in the minor salivary glands appears to he exceptional. A review of the English language literature revealed about 80 previously reported cases. In this paper. the clinical behaviour and pathological findings in three cases are reported.

The tumours took their origin from the hard palate, soft palate and lower lip. The three cases presented with malignant clinical behaviour; all three recurred. In one case the local recurrence was multinodular with capsular infiltration. Two cases developed regional lymph node metastasis, and one metasized to the lung and liver. In one the tumour infiltrated bony structures, and nerve in another. These cases tend to support the belief of some authors that acinic cell ‘tumours’ are clinically malignant and should be included in the carcinoma group.

Tuberculosis may present in many different forms and is known to occur in the cervical spine and salivary glands. It may present as in this case, with the signs of spread before the initial infection becomes apparent.

A case of acute bacterial thyroiditis due to Haemophilus influenzae infection presenting as otalgia is reported. The features of this condition and the differential diagnosis from subacute (DeQuervains) thyroiditis are discussed.

This is the first description of successful surgical excision of a parapharyngeal (retrostyloid compartment) cyst remnant of the third branchial arch.

We report a case of a lateral pharyngeal diverticulum arising from the right vallecula. The aetiology and clinical features of these rare lesions are discussed. Diagnosis, which is difficult clinically, was made by barium swallow examination of the pharynx. The importance of contrast radiology in the investigation of pharyngeal symptoms is emphasized by this case.

A 55-year-old woman was operated because of bilateral parotid tumours which appeared with an interval of three years. Histopathologically, both of the tumours had characteristics typical of acinic cell tumour, so-called clear cell type. Both tumours were regarded to be multifocal. In the case of bilateral parotid tumours, acinic cell tumour should also be kept in mind and total parotidectomy is the treatment of choice.