The clinician is almost entirely dependent on the histopathologist to accurately diagnose minor salivary gland tumours, but in some cases the histological interpretation of the specimen is very difficult. Recently it has been demonstrated using immunohistochemical techniques that S-100 protein is present in some salivary gland tissues and its localization has been used as an aid in the differentiation of major salivary gland tumours. To assess its value in the diagnosis of minor salivary gland tumours it was localized in sections from 15 such tumours using both a standard peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) and a newly developed immunogold-silver staining sequence (IGSS) technique. Strong staining for S-100 protein was seen in the nuclei and cytoplasm of the cellular areas and also in the cells in the chondroid and myxoid areas of pleomorphic adenomas. Generally the staining was more intense and widespread with the IGSS method. No staining was observed in any of the other tumour types. We conclude that S-100 protein localization is a valuable aid in the differentiation of minor salivary gland tumours. Furthermore, the IGSS method enables more sensitive ‘reading’ of the staining reaction.

Motor nerve conduction studies were carried out on the ipsilateral and contralateral ulnar nerves (arm and forearm segments) in 20 patients presenting with unilateral acute Bell's palsy. In seven of these cases (35%), there was motor conduction delay in one or more segments of the ulnar nerve. The present study confirms the hypothesis that Bell's palsy has a viral or autoimmune aetiology resulting in a generalized polyneuropathy or mononeuritis multiplex. Paralysis is clinically more manifest in the facial nerve than other motor nerves; this is because of the peculiar anatomical course of the facial nerve inside a bony canal.

Sixty cases of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in both children and adults treated over a 10 year period were reviewed. An unexpected finding was that nine of the 60 patients (15 per cent) had symptoms by two months of age; an earlier onset than previously described. The control rate was 66 per cent for paediatric onset patients and 44 per cent with adult onset; the former required more operations. No anaesthetic deaths or complications were encountered. Glottic webs were the only surgical complication. The findings confirm that there is no relationship between puberty and the rate of control of recurrence. The necessity for precise and comprehensive endoscopic examination of the upper aerodigestive tract using a range of endoscopes and rigid telescopes under general anaesthetic is emphasized.

Stricture formation may occur after pharyngolaryngectomy it less than one half of the circumference of the pharynx is available for primary closure. However, the alternative of total pharyngectomy with skin flap or visceral replacement carries with it a high mortality and morbidity rate. In an attempt to overcome these problems, a policy of patch grafting the paryngeal defect with a myocutaneous flap or segment of free vascularised jejunum has been adopted whenever a strip of pharyngeal mucosa greater than one centimetre in width remains after excision of the tumour. A good post-operative smallow has been achieved in all cases.

There are many different flaps available for head and neck reconstruction. The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap has been widely used in this unit on 80 occasions in the past three years, both as a pedicled and as a free microvascular flap following the excision of head and neck malignancy, the commonest pathology being intraoral squamous cell carcinoma.

There were nine cases of complete or substantial flap loss requiring a further reconstructive procedure. Few of the patients who underwent total glossectomy suffered from overspill or aspiration and the fistula rate was low.

Reference is made to the anatomy and the technique of raising this versatile flap which provides a large volume of tissue and has been particularly useful following total glossesctomy when combined with a hyoid hitch.

We report a case in which a defective portable headphone caused ablation of the malleus and removal of the drum.

In addition to the warnings already given against the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, a warning should be given against the use of headphones of poor quality.

Alternatively, headphones consisting of ear-plugs and electric wire without a metal holder should be recommended.

Conventional treatments for non-allergic perennial rhinitis have proven somewhat unsuccessful in the control of rhinorrhoea when it is the predominant symptom. Hence, a double-blind cross-over trial of Ipratropium, a parasympatholytic, and placebo were carried out over a 12-week period. There was a significant reduction in rhinorrhoea during active treatment, with the most noticable effect being in the moderate-to-severe rhinorrhoea group. No significant effect was noted on nasal obstruction or sneezing and no serious side-effects were seen. A carry-on effect was noted when active treatment was used initially. However, the group given active treatment following placebo had a better result overall. A strong placebo effect was also noted in both groups, in keeping with a trial of this order.

Inhalation of a foreign body into the respiratory passage can be a serious and sometimes fatal childhood accident. In this paper we analyze the management of 223 children with laryngo-tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies. Children below three years of age were found to be the most vulnerable. The majority of the patients were boys. Over a quarter of the patients did not present with a history of inhalation. Only 52 per cent reported within 24 hours of inhalation. Endoscopic removal was possible in all but nine cases. One hundred and fort eight (66.4 per cent) of the recovered foreign bodies were organic in origin, the majority of them being peanuts. In one hundred and five (47.1 per cent) the objects found their way into the right bronchial tree. There were two deaths. The modalities of diagnosis and management are discussed.

Aspirates were obtained from 142 masses in 120 patients who presented with palpable swellings in the head and neck region. 120 specimens (84.51 per cent) were adequate for diagnostic purposes and the remaining 22 (15.49 per cent) were unsatisfactory. Final diagnosis was based on resection histology in 87 cases and close clinical follow-up in 55 patients. The overall sensitivity and specificity including unsatisfactory aspirates was 81.37 per cent and 93 per cent respectively (if the technically inadequate specimens were deleted 98.81 per cent and 94.44 per cent). In comparison with the final diagnosis typing of malignant tumours was possible in 58.33 per cent. The correct diagnosis was made in 63.89 per cent of benign lesions.

A small group of 46 previously untreated patients out of about 260 in all who have received Price Hill schedule A cytotoxic chemotherapy, achieved apparent complete clinical regression (ACCR) of their disease before local treatment. Forty patients were classified T3 or T4, over half having clinically positive nodes at the start of treatment.

A determine survival rate of 70 per cent disease free at three years was obtained and 74 per cent achieved quality of all symptoms. Two patients declined local treatment and survived three years disease free after chemotherapy alone. No recurrence has occurred to date in seven patients achieving apparent complete histological regression (ACHAR) in their surgical specimens.

Although ACCR does not automatically improve prognosis it is likely that it does enhance the complete remission rate, especially for those also achieving ACHR.

Benefits to patients obtaining ACCR with this minimally toxic chemotherapy schedule and listed.