To determine (1) the accuracy of positron emission tomography – computed tomography in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer, (2) the learning curve involved, and (3) whether its use alters patient management.

A retrospective study including 80 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent positron emission tomography – computed tomography image fusion at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Fifty-three patients underwent positron emission tomography – computed tomography for staging (32 for detection of a primary tumour and 21 for detection of distant metastasis) and 27 for detection of loco-regional recurrence. Ten primary tumours and 20 recurrences were accurately diagnosed by this method. Eighteen patients had their tumour stage and management modified as a result of this method of imaging. The effect of the learning curve resulted in better true positive detection rates, one year after introduction (81 versus 61 per cent). The sensitivity and specificity of this method in detecting head and neck cancer were 70 and 42 per cent, respectively, whereas those of conventional imaging were 73 and 51 per cent, respectively.

Compared with magnetic resonance imaging, the benefits of positron emission tomography – computed tomography may be limited to diagnosis of recurrence, as it is less hindered by tissue fibrosis, radiotherapy-related oedema, scarring and inflammation.

We report an extremely rare case of duplication of the internal auditory canal associated with dysfunction of both the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. We also review the literature regarding the integrity of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves in such cases.

A 34-year-old man presented with unilateral, right-sided, sensorineural hearing loss and facial nerve palsy since childhood. Facial nerve function was observed to be House–Brackmann grade III. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated ipsilateral duplicate, vacant internal auditory canals. Based on the clinical presentation, we interpreted these radiological findings as aplasia of the vestibulocochlear nerve and severe hypoplasia of the facial nerve.

To our best knowledge, this is the first report of vestibulocochlear nerve aplasia and severe facial nerve hypoplasia in a case of ipsilateral duplication of the internal auditory canal. High resolution gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging sequences are advocated for assessment of neural integrity in patients with an abnormal internal auditory canal and facial and/or vestibulocochlear nerve dysfunction.

To conduct an adequately powered, prospective, randomised, controlled trial comparing adult dissection tonsillectomy using either ultrasonic scalpel, bipolar electrocautery, bipolar radiofrequency or ‘cold steel’ dissection.

Three hundred patients were randomised into four tonsillectomy technique groups. The operative time, intra-operative bleeding, post-operative pain, tonsillar fossa healing, return to full diet, return to work and post-operative complications were recorded.

The bipolar radiofrequency group had a shorter mean operative time. The mean intra-operative blood loss during bipolar radiofrequency tonsillectomy was significantly less compared with cold dissection and ultrasonic scalpel tonsillectomy. Pain scores were significantly higher after bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy. Patients undergoing bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy required significantly more days to return to full diet and work. The bipolar electrocautery group showed significantly reduced tonsillar fossa healing during the first and second post-operative weeks.

In this adult series, bipolar radiofrequency tonsillectomy was superior to ultrasonic, bipolar electrocautery and cold dissection tonsillectomies. This method combines the advantages of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ tonsillectomy.

We report an extremely rare case of primary otoscleroma.

We present a case report and a review of the world literature concerning otoscleroma.

An adult woman presented with chronic suppurative otitis media with tubotympanic disease and conductive hearing loss. On mastoid exploration, dark granulations were seen, which were identified as otoscleroma on histopathological examination. The patient responded well to streptomycin.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of primary otoscleroma in the world literature. This case indicates that Frisch's bacillus can also spread to the middle ear.

Unless the orbital contents are supported, the insertion of nasal packing material during endoscopic endonasal surgery may cause serious intracranial complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

Case report and literature review.

We report a patient with iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea caused by intracranial entry of a Silastic sheet inserted into the nasal cavity. This skull defect and the surrounding skull base were successfully reconstructed in a multilayer fashion via an endoscopic endonasal approach.

This case highlights the need for caution when inserting nasal packing material. During endoscopic endonasal reduction of blowout fractures, great care must be taken to support the orbital contents, in order to avoid serious intracranial complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

This study aimed to compare the prognostic impact of comorbidity grading by the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 index and the Charlson Comorbidity Index on the five-year overall and disease-specific survival in patients undergoing surgery for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

The impact of comorbidity and other factors on survival was examined retrospectively in a group of 177 patients with previously untreated tumour stage one to four laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma surgically treated at the Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Centre of Serbia, between 2000 and 2003. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify independent prognostic factors.

On univariate analysis, comorbidity had an impact on prognosis regardless of which index was used. On multivariate analysis, the significant predictors of patients' five-year overall and disease-specific survival were tumour–node–metastasis stage and comorbidity as graded by the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 index.

The Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 index is a more reliable predictor of survival than the Charlson Comorbidity Index in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Botulinum toxin is a widely accepted, effective treatment for Frey's syndrome. While some patients need only one injection, others require repeated treatments. We aimed to describe the clinical features of patients with a more challenging treatment course.

Literature review and retrospective analysis of eight consecutive patients treated at a university hospital.

These patients' treatment responses were categorised (using our own system) and compared with those of 25 published cases.

Combined analysis identified no significant correlation between treatment response and age, gender or the extent of primary salivary gland surgery. There was no significant correlation between botulinum toxin dosage and time between treatments.

Frey's syndrome should be viewed as a dynamic process in which the stimulus for aberrant reinnervation of parasympathetic nerve fibres can be reduced, in some patients, with higher botulinum toxin dose injections to the treated areas. However, responses are unpredictable, and relapses may occur at different time points and in different areas.

To report a case of sebaceoma of the auricle, and to discuss the differential diagnosis, histopathological features, surgical management and genetic associations of this entity.

Case report and review of the medical literature.

A 79-year-old man presented with a slowly growing lesion of his auricle. Excision of the mass and histopathological review revealed a benign, basaloid, adnexal neoplasm consistent with sebaceoma. Due to its association with Muir–Torre syndrome and increased risk of visceral malignancy, the patient was followed closely for signs of malignancy. At 36 months post-excision, there were no signs of recurrence; thereafter, the patient continued to receive routine cancer surveillance follow up.

Sebaceoma is a rarely encountered, benign, adnexal neoplasm which can occur in the head and neck. The treatment is surgical excision, and recurrence is rare. Sebaceoma can occur as part of Muir–Torre syndrome, and in these patients there is an increased risk of other sebaceous lesions and visceral malignancy; thus, genetic testing and surveillance should be strongly considered.

Endoscopic hypopharyngeal diverticulotomy is now largely performed using an endoscopic stapling device. A poorly applied endoscopic stapling device can result in incomplete division of the cricopharyngeal bar, necessitating the application of a second set of staples. Applying more than one set of staples is associated with an increased risk of complications and greater cost. Small pharyngeal pouches are difficult to staple because of difficulties engaging the stapling device over the cricopharyngeal bar.

Two pairs of oesophageal forceps are used in conjunction with a 0 degree Hopkins rod to optimise the endoscopic stapling of small and large pharyngeal pouches.

Applying grasping forceps to the cricopharyngeal bar improves the accuracy of the stapling procedure, thus reducing the morbidity and cost associated with multiple staple applications.

We describe the first reported case of a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour, mixed connective tissue variant, invading the temporal bone.

A female patient presented with increasing deafness. On examination there appeared to be a mass behind an intact tympanic membrane. Further radiological investigation showed a vascular mass occupying the middle ear, mastoid and internal auditory meatus. This was surgically resected and revealed to be a benign phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour, mixed connective tissue variant. The tumour recurred a year later, presenting as facial nerve palsy. A revision procedure was carried out; the tumour was excised with the sacrifice of a segment of the facial nerve, and a facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis was performed.

This case report highlights the occurrence of this benign but sometimes aggressive tumour, of which both clinicians and pathologists should be aware. Early recognition of the condition remains of utmost importance to minimise the debilitating consequences of long-term osteomalacia in affected patients, and to prevent extracranial and intracranial complications caused by the tumour.

Organised haematoma of the maxillary sinus may be present in chronic renal failure patients, because these patients are at high risk of haemorrhage.

We present two cases of organised haematoma of the maxillary sinus in patients with chronic renal failure.

A diagnosis of organised haematoma of the maxillary sinus should be considered when a patient with a history of chronic renal failure develops unilateral, recurrent epistaxis and nasal obstruction.

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome has been linked to obesity, nasal obstruction and adenotonsillar hypertrophy, but rarely to large thyroid goitres.

To study the possible association between multinodular retrolaryngo-pharyngeal or retrosternal goitres and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Retrospective case series at a tertiary referral centre (2000–2010). Study parameters included body mass index, Epworth sleep score and polysomnographic index.

Five patients were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and managed with nasal continuous positive airway pressure ventilation. Computed tomography showed a retrolaryngo-pharyngeal or retrosternal goitre with significant tracheal compression, displacement and laryngeal oedema. After total thyroidectomy, obstructive sleep apnoea resolved in all patients.

Large, multinodular goitres with retrolaryngo-pharyngeal extension can cause obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome due to laryngeal compression and oedema. In such cases, total thyroidectomy enables resolution of symptoms. Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome should be screened for thyroid goitre.

We examined the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing thyroid cartilage and thyroid gland invasion in patients undergoing total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma, by comparing histopathology results with imaging findings.

A retrospective study reviewed histology and magnetic resonance scan results for all total laryngectomies performed between 1998–2008 at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.

Pre-operative magnetic resonance images were reviewed independently by two consultant head and neck radiologists masked to the histology; their opinions were then compared with histology findings.

Eighty-one magnetic resonance scans were reviewed. There were 22 laryngectomy patients with histologically verified thyroid cartilage invasion and one patient with thyroid gland invasion. There were 31 patients with apparent radiological thyroid cartilage invasion pre-operatively (with 17 false positives), giving sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 64, 71, 45 and 84 per cent, respectively. On assessing thyroid gland invasion, there were nine false positive scans and no false negative scans, giving sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 100, 89, 10 and 100 per cent, respectively.

Magnetic resonance scanning over-predicts thyroid cartilage and gland invasion in patients undergoing total laryngectomy. Magnetic resonance scans have limited effectiveness in predicting thyroid cartilage invasion by squamous cell carcinoma in laryngectomy patients.

We report a case of progressive facial hemiatrophy with cervical sympathetic hyperactivity as a possible underlying aetiology, based on clinical findings, three-dimensional computed tomography and thermographic imaging.

We present a case report in which we describe the investigation and clinical course of progressive facial hemiatrophy, and we also review the world literature on this condition.

To our knowledge, this is the first report in the world literature of progressive facial hemiatrophy with cervical sympathetic hyperactivity indicated as a possible underlying aetiology, based on clinical findings, three-dimensional computed tomography and thermographic imaging.

This syndrome may lead to atrophy of the subcutaneous adipose tissue with hyperfunction of the vegetative system. Although this is a rare syndrome, otolaryngologists should be aware of its symptoms, aetiology and treatment.

We report a rare presentation of otogenic bacterial meningitis secondary to a stapes footplate malformation in a paediatric patient with an auditory brainstem implant.

A patient with Mondini's dysplasia developed meningitis six years after auditory brainstem implantation. The aetiology was believed to be otogenic, secondary to stapes footplate malformation.

To our best knowledge, this is the first report of otogenic bacterial meningitis secondary to stapes footplate malformation in a paediatric patient with an auditory brainstem implant. Subjects with inner ear malformations, especially Mondini's dysplasia, need to be carefully evaluated pre-operatively to reduce or eliminate any anatomical conditions which may predispose to meningitis. In children with an auditory brainstem implant and suspected ear malformation, we recommend pre-operative radiological investigation to look for the ‘bulging oval window’ sign. When radiological signs are positive, bilateral exploratory tympanotomy should be performed to detect any undiagnosed anatomical stapes footplate defects, which may predispose to bacterial meningitis.

We present the first published description of a painful paraganglioma of the external auditory canal. Atypical histopathology made the diagnosis difficult. We discuss the potential pitfalls of clinical diagnosis and treatment of such a case.

A 49-year-old woman presented with left-sided otalgia, hearing loss and tinnitus. Physical examination revealed a firm swelling arising from the superior portion of the left external auditory canal. A clinical diagnosis of otitis externa was made.

There was minimal response to medical treatment. The swelling was aspirated, leading to brisk bleeding. A tumour was suspected from the computed tomography scan, and confirmed by a biopsy. The patient underwent excision of the paraganglioma. The histopathology was atypical, making diagnosis difficult.

Such unusual masses of the external ear should always be borne in mind, especially when dealing with atypical presentations of commonly encountered diseases. Clinicians should have a low threshold for early intervention with imaging and biopsy.

We report three cases of recurrent, unilateral facial palsy associated with air travel.

The three cases are presented, along with a brief literature review concerning barotrauma and its association with air travel and facial palsy.

All three patients experienced unilateral facial paralysis during air travel, accompanied by additional symptoms which varied between cases. Symptoms resolved spontaneously in all cases. Two patients received ventilation tube insertion to prevent further recurrence. Computed tomography scanning revealed no bony defect in two patients, while the third exhibited dehiscence of the facial canal which may have contributed to the condition.

Available evidence suggests that eustachian tube dysfunction can contribute to increased pressure within the middle ear, leading to neuropraxia of the facial nerve. Cases of facial paralysis associated with air travel are under-reported. Since there is no evidence-based management protocol for this condition, further investigation of its pathology is encouraged in order to improve our understanding.

Pulsatile tinnitus usually originates from vascular structures, causing an arterial or venous bruit. We report a new cause of pulsatile tinnitus: a focal defect of the mastoid bone shell in the region of the transverse-sigmoid junction, with a normal transverse-sigmoid sinus.

Three patients complained of unilateral, pulsatile tinnitus present for many years. They were identified as having a focal defect of the mastoid bone shell in the region of the transverse-sigmoid junction. The patients underwent transmastoid reconstruction of the mastoid bone shell overlying the transverse-sigmoid sinus.

All three patients reported immediate resolution of their symptoms, and were asymptomatic at final follow up.

A focal defect of the mastoid bone shell overlying the transverse-sigmoid sinus, with no abnormality of the sinus itself, may be a new cause of pulsatile tinnitus. Surgical reconstruction of the mastoid bone shell overlying the transverse-sigmoid sinus can provide lasting symptom relief for patients with pulsatile tinnitus and computed tomographic evidence of the defect.