Investigation of serum calcium and vitamin D levels in superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome: A case control study.

Objective: It remains unknown whether calcium metabolism has any effect on the clinical presentation of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). Our aim was to analyse the adjusted calcium and vitamin D levels in SSCD patients compared to a control group. Methods: This was a prospective case-control study performed in a tertiary referral center, university teaching hospital in the UK. It included all new patients with SSCD seen in a dedicated skull base clinic over a 5-year period (2015-2019) compared to a gender and age matched control group. The main outcome of the study was adjusted calcium and Vitamin D levels between the two groups. Results: A total of 31 SSCD patients were recruited with a matched number of control patients. The mean Vitamin D level on the SSCD group was 44.8 nmoL/l (SD: 20.8) compared to 47.5 nmoL/l (SD: 27.4) on the control group (p = 0.702). Mean Adjusted calcium level was 2.34 mmoL/l (SD: 0.7) for SSCD compared to 2.41 mmoL/l (SD: 0.11) for controls (p = 0.01), being within normal limits for both the SSCD and the control group. Conclusion: Our study did not identify a link between Vitamin D levels and presence of SSCD. Normal adjusted calcium values were found in both groups. Despite that a statistically significant lower calcium level was found in the SSCD group which could indicate that suboptimal levels of calcium may affect the micro-environment of the otic capsule at the SSC region.

Swallowing outcomes following division of pseudo-epiglottis resulting from vertical pharyngeal closure in laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: Vertical closure of the pharynx after laryngectomy can result in an outpouch of the anterior wall of the neopharynx below the tongue base, called a pseudo-diverticulum. The prolapsed mucosa that separates the rest of the neopharynx from the pseudo-diverticulum is termed a pseudo-epiglottis. METHODS: Prospective study of patients with pseudo-epiglottis. M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) scores were used to assess swallowing outcomes pre- and post-pseudo-epiglottis division, including minimally clinically important difference (MCID) assessment. RESULTS: Of 16 patients with a pseudo-epiglottis, 12 had dysphagia (75%). Symptomatic patients had significantly worse global MDADI and subscale scores. After division, the mean composite MDADI increased from 48.3 to 64.7 (p = 0.035), including a high MCID (16.4) with a similar improvement in the global question rating findings (31.1 vs. 60, p = 0.021). The MCID was significant for all MDADI subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudo-epiglottis formation is associated with significantly worse global and subscale MDADI scores. A clinically- and statistically-significant improvement in the MDADI scores was found following surgical division.

10-Year Experience with the Modified Pectoralis Major Flap: The Use of the Deltopectoral Flap to Reduce Skin Tension.

Purpose: Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap has been the work horse flap for head and neck reconstruction. However, due to the bulky nature of the pedicle it is not uncommon to struggle to achieve tension free closure of the neck skin incision. This case series presents a modified pectoralis major flap technique to overcome the difficulty of tight closure or the need to graft the residual cutaneous defect. Method: This 10-year study includes 73 patients who underwent modified pectoralis major flap reconstruction for complex laryngo-pharyngeal defects following resection of tumours involving larynx, hypopharynx oropharynx and cervical oesophagus. The modified technique involves accommodating a deltopectoral fasciocutaneous flap which rotates over the pedicle to insert into the neck incision providing extra tissue to achieve a tension free closure. Results: 73 patients underwent the procedure, 80% were male. Mean age of patients was 62.8years. Larynx was the most common site and the average size of the tumour was 34.8 mm. 13 patients developed minor complications such as wound dehiscence out of which 10 were managed conservatively, 3 patients required additional reconstructive procedures. 13 patients developed pharyngocutaneous fistula and 6 developed Neopharyngeal stenosis. 51 patients achieved good swallowing and 55 developed intelligible speech following recovery. Conclusion: We recommend the use of this technique as an effective method to achieve tension free neck incision closure and improved cosmetic results especially in centres which do not have free flap facility readily available.

Comparison of endoscopic vs microscopic ossiculoplasty: a study of 157 consecutive cases.

PURPOSE: The relatively new technique of trans-canal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) when compared to microsurgery for ossiculoplasty has advantages of better visualization and no external incision but also has the disadvantage of being a one-handed procedure. Our study aimed to compare audiometric outcomes following ossiculoplasty performed via TESS with results of microsurgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from a prospective audit of 157 consecutive patients who underwent ossiculoplasty by a single otologist from 2009 to 2018 was analyzed. TEES was introduced in the department in 2014; therefore, all patients before this period underwent microsurgery. Patients were classified by surgical approach, TEES, or microsurgery. Audiological outcomes were recorded at 3 and 12 months postoperatively and compared to pre-operative levels. Other variables included were the condition of stapes and reconstruction material used. RESULTS: Of the 157 cases, 50 were TEES and 107 were microsurgery (81 microscope only and 27 combined with endoscope). There was statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) in AC (43.4 dB pre-operatively, 36.2 dB postoperatively), BC (20.3 dB pre-operatively, 17.6 dB postoperatively), and ABG (21.8 dB pre-operatively, 16.7 dB postoperatively) in the total cohort. Both groups achieved an ABG better than 20 dB; 72% in TEES, 73% in the microscopic group, and there was no significant difference. There was no change in hearing at 12 months when compared to 3 months. No statistically significant difference was noted based on stapes condition, type of material used for ossiculoplasty, or tympanic membrane graft. CONCLUSION: TEES is safe and as effective as microsurgery in ossiculoplasty with possibly much less pain and morbidity.

Symptom-based remote assessment in post-treatment head and neck cancer surveillance: A prospective national study.

OBJECTIVES: To report the incidence of locoregional recurrence in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients under surveillance following treatment undergoing symptom-based remote assessment. DESIGN: A 16-week multicentre prospective cohort study. SETTING: UK ENT departments. PARTICIPANTS: HNC patients under surveillance following treatment undergoing symptom-based telephone assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of locoregional recurrent HNC after minimum 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Data for 1078 cases were submitted by 16 centres, with follow-up data completed in 98.9% (n = 1066). Following telephone consultation, 83.7% of referrals had their face-to-face appointments deferred (n = 897/1072). New symptoms were reported by 11.6% (n = 124/1072) at telephone assessment; 72.6% (n = 90/124) of this group were called for urgent assessments, of whom 48.9% (n = 44/90) came directly for imaging without preceding clinical review. The sensitivity and specificity for new symptoms as an indicator of cancer recurrence were 35.3% and 89.4%, respectively, with a negative predictive value of 99.7% (p = .002). Locoregional cancer identification rates after a minimum of 6 months of further monitoring, when correlated with time since treatment, were 6.0% (n = 14/233) <1 year; 2.1% (n = 16/747) between 1 and 5 years; and 4.3% (n = 4/92) for those >5 years since treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Telephone assessment, using patient-reported symptoms, to identify recurrent locoregional HNC was widely adopted during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. The majority of patients had no face-to-face reviews or investigations. New symptoms were significantly associated with the identification of locoregional recurrent cancers with a high specificity, but a low sensitivity may limit symptom assessment being used as the sole surveillance method.

Sinogenic polymicrobial anaerobic orbital cellulitis: the importance of source control and broad empirical antibiotics.

A man in his twenties with a history of recurrent sinusitis was urgently referred to the emergency department (ED) by an out-of-hours general practitioner following a 2-day history of increasing right eye pain, redness and swelling after a week of coryzal symptoms. He denied visual impairment and any history of recent dental pain or procedures. Initial assessment in ED noted fever, tachycardia and hypotension. Video consultation with ophthalmologist in the ED identified proptosis, periorbital erythema and chemosis with full eye movement solely affecting the right eye. Visual acuity of 6/6 was confirmed in both eyes. After review by the ear, nose and throat (ENT) team, a diagnosis of sinogenic right orbital cellulitis was made, empirical antibiotics started and care transferred to the ENT team for immediate surgical intervention. 48 hours postoperatively, the patient acutely deteriorated, developing ophthalmoplegia and visual acuity of 6/95 in the right eye. Repeat imaging demonstrated a deteriorating picture and urgent surgery was organised at a neighbouring hospital's specialist ENT unit combined with a change to his antibiotics. On day 4, 1 day following transfer, an anaerobic bacterium, Eggerthia catenaformis, was isolated from blood cultures collected on admission. The patient improved clinically following the second surgery and targeted antimicrobial therapy, eventually being discharged 10 days after initial presentation. In addition to E. catenaformis, the Anaerobic Reference Unit (Cardiff) identified two further anaerobic bacteria, Parvimonas micra and Dialister pneumosintes This paper presents the first documented case of polymicrobial anaerobic orbital cellulitis secondary to acute bacterial sinusitis. Moreover, this case underpins the importance of broad empirical antibiotics coupled with surgical source control to effectively manage a rare but sight-threatening and life-threatening disease.

Deltopectoral Flap Reconstruction of the Posterior Pharyngeal Wall: A Single Stage Pedicle Flap Alternative Solution to the Free Flap Reconstruction of Circumferential Laryngopharyngeal Defects.

The first option for reconstruction of a circumferential pharyngeal defect following extensive pharyngo-laryngectomy is free tissue transfer. Despite that, pedicled flaps can be used when microsurgical expertise is not available or if other patient related or region related issues deem free tissue transfer unfavourable. The aim of this study was to review the operative feasibility and functional outcomes following dual flap reconstruction of circumferential pharyngeal defects.This was a retrospective study of all patients (n = 8) who underwent either primary (n = 5) or salvage (n = 3) circumferential laryngopharyngectomy + /- cervical oesophagectomy, followed by dual flap reconstruction, with a deltopectoral flap to reconstruct the posterior wall from 2005 to 2020. The main outcome measures were operative complications, hospital stay and functional outcomes (speech and swallowing). The operation was feasible in all patients, with dual flap reconstruction using a deltopectoral flap, combined with a pectoralis major flap (n = 5) or a supraclavicular flap (n = 3). All patients developed a small, lateralised, self-healing fistula at the site of the deltopectoral flap 3-point junction. This did not require any intervention, or impact on adjuvant treatment. Functional outcomes were favourable, with all patients achieving oral diet. One patient required gastrostomy diet supplementation, and one patient required stricture dilatation. Of the patients able to receive a speech valve (n = 4), all achieved intelligible speech. Dual flap reconstruction of circumferential pharyngeal defects represents a feasible alternative option for a complex reconstructive problem. The predictable operative recovery and favourable functional outcomes indicate that the use of both a deltopectoral flap and a second flap is a robust reconstructive solution.

Remote triage incorporating symptom-based risk stratification for suspected head and neck cancer referrals: A prospective population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Remote triage for suspected head and neck cancer (HNC) referrals was adopted by many institutions during the initial peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Its safety in this population has not been established. METHODS: A 16-week, prospective, multicenter national service evaluation was started on March 23, 2020. Suspected HNC referrals undergoing remote triage in UK secondary care centers were identified and followed up for a minimum of 6 months to record the cancer status. Triage was supported by risk stratification using a validated calculator. RESULTS: Data for 4568 cases were submitted by 41 centers serving a population of approximately 26 million. These represented 14.1% of the predicted maximum referrals for this population outside of pandemic times, and this gave the study a margin of error of 1.34% at 95% confidence. Completed 6-month follow-up data were available for 99.8% with an overall cancer rate of 5.6% (254 of 4557). The rates of triage were as follows: urgent imaging investigation, 25.4% (n = 1156); urgent face-to-face review, 27.8%; (n = 1268); assessment deferral, 30.3% (n = 1382); and discharge, 16.4% (n = 749). The corresponding missed cancers rates were 0.5% (5 of 1048), 0.3% (3 of 1149), 0.9% (12 of 1382), and 0.9% (7 of 747; P = .15). The negative predictive value for a nonurgent triage outcome and no cancer diagnosis was 99.1%. Overall harm was reported in 0.24% (11 of 4557) and was highest for deferred assessments (0.58%; 8 of 1382). CONCLUSIONS: Remote triage, incorporating risk stratification, may facilitate targeted investigations for higher risk patients and prevent unnecessary hospital attendance for lower risk patients. The risk of harm is low and may be reduced further with appropriate safety netting of deferred appointments. LAY SUMMARY: This large national study observed the widespread adoption of telephone assessment (supported by a risk calculator) of patients referred to hospital specialists with suspected head and neck cancer during the initial peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The authors identified 4568 patients from 41 UK centers (serving a population of more than 26 million people) who were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Late cancers were identified, whether reviewed or investigated urgently (0.4%) or nonurgently (0.9%), but the overall rate of harm was low (0.2%), with the highest rate being seen with deferred appointments (0.6%).

Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) Findings in Patients With Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the usefulness of the responses of video head impulse testing (vHIT) in assessing symptomatic patients with superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study performed in a tertiary skull base referral Centre in the UK. It included all patients ¬diagnosed with SSCD from January 2015 to January 2019 and compared to a control group of age and gender-matched unaffected indi¬viduals. The main outcome of the study was semicircular canal vestibule-ocular reflex (VOR) gains during vHIT assessment and link to patients' symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were diagnosed with SSCD during the study period and completed the vHIT assessment. Reduced VOR gains (<0.8) were noted in 57% of patients (n = 16). Half of these (n = 8) were in canals other than the superior semicircular (posterior only: n = 5; lateral and posterior: n = 3). Three patients (10.7%) had abnormal responses in 2 canals. The canals in the contralateral side were affected in 56.5% of the cases. There was no correlation with the patients' symptoms. Results were directly comparable with the control group vHIT results with no identifiable statistically significant differences on comparison of the ipsilateral SSCD side with a randomly selected side from the control group (all comparisons: P > .05). CONCLUSION: SSCD can affect the vestibular responses from all 3 semicircular canals; not necessarily the superior one. Similar responses were found in a control group of normal subjects. Although the use of vHIT in the assessment of SSCD is not diagnosis-specific, it can still help with identifying the impact of surgery on all canals prior to any intervention in order to avoid bilateral vestibular failure.

Imaging Post Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannomas-When Should We Scan?

OBJECTIVE: To identify the optimal time for imaging following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with vestibular schwannomas (VS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary, university center. PATIENTS: Patients with VS treated with SRS. INTERVENTIONS: Pre- and post-SRS surveillance with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); patients should have at least two pre- and two post-SRS scans available to be included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics, tumor size, and growth per month ratio pre- and post-SRS and time interval between serial MRI. RESULTS: Forty-two patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The average tumor size before the treatment was 16.9 mm (range, 10-28 mm) while 2 years posttreatment it was 16 mm (range, 7-25 mm) (p = 0.5). Average time of the first MRI post-SRS was 11 months (range, 5-14) with an average change in tumor size at that time of +0.53 mm (range, -5-8). Average time to second MRI was 22.3 months (range, 12-33) with an average change in tumor size at second scan of -1.14 (range, -5-2) mm (p = 0.117). The average growth/mo ratio before SRS was 0.26 mm/mo (range, 0-1), while post-SRS 0.05 mm/mo (range, -0.3-0.5) and -0.16 mm/mo (range, -18-0.25) at the time of the first and second scan, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Given the initial increase in size following SRS, unless clinically indicated, MRI post-SRS at less than 1 year has no clinical value. The growth per month ratio provides more meaningful values for response to treatment than tumor size measurements.

Effect of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and the Distance From the Eye Piece of Surgical Microscope on the Field of Vision; An Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: During the Covid-19 pandemic, otolaryngologists are at risk due to aerosol-generating procedures such as mastoidectomy and need enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE). Eye protection can interfere with the use of a microscope due to a reduction in the field of vision. We aimed to study the effect of PPE on the microsurgical field. METHODS: Five surgeons measured the visual field using digital calipers at different power settings. They were done with no PPE, a surgical mask, FFP3 mask (N99), and with the addition of small goggles, large vistamax goggles, vistamax plus a face shield, and only a face shield. The measurements were repeated with rings of 5 mm increments. We also measured the "eye relief" of the microscope which is the ideal distance for maximum field of view. RESULTS: There was no major reduction of the field with the surgical or FFP3 mask. But even simple goggles reduced the field up to 31.6% and there were progressive reductions of up to 75.7% with large goggles, 76.8% when a face shield was added, and 61.9% when only face shield was used. The distance rings more than 5 mm also affected the field of view.The eye relief of our eyepiece was found to be 15 mm. CONCLUSION: The current PPE eye protection is not compatible with the use of a microscope. There is scope for research into better eye protection. Mitigation strategies including barrier drapes and alternative techniques such as endoscopic surgery or use of exoscopes should also be considered.

Rapid implementation of an evidence-based remote triaging system for assessment of suspected referrals and patients with head and neck cancer on follow-up after treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Model for international collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Outpatient telemedicine consultations are being adopted to triage patients for head and neck cancer. However, there is currently no established structure to frame this consultation. METHODS: For suspected referrals with cancer, we adapted the Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator (HaNC-RC)-V.2, generated from 10 244 referrals with the following diagnostic efficacy metrics: 85% sensitivity, 98.6% negative predictive value, and area under the curve of 0.89. For follow-up patients, a symptom inventory generated from 5123 follow-up consultations was used. A customized Excel Data Tool was created, trialed across professional groups and made freely available for download at www.entintegrate.co.uk/entuk2wwtt, alongside a user guide, protocol, and registration link for the project. Stakeholder support was obtained from national bodies. RESULTS: No remote consultations were refused by patients. Preliminary data from 511 triaging episodes at 13 centers show that 77.1% of patients were discharged directly or have had their appointments deferred. DISCUSSION: Significant reduction in footfall can be achieved using a structured triaging system. Further refinement of HaNC-RC-V.2 is feasible and the authors welcome international collaboration.

Head and neck cancer risk calculator (HaNC-RC)-V.2. Adjustments and addition of symptoms and social history factors.

OBJECTIVES: Head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosis through the 2-week wait, urgent suspicion of cancer (USOC) pathway has failed to increase early cancer detection rates in the UK. A head and neck cancer risk calculator (HaNC-RC) has previously been designed to aid referral of high-risk patients to USOC clinics (predictive power: 77%). Our aim was to refine the HaNC-RC to increase its prediction potential. DESIGN: Following sample size calculation, prospective data collection and statistical analysis of referral criteria and outcomes. SETTING: Large tertiary care cancer centre in Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: 3531 new patients seen in routine, urgent and USOC head and neck (HaN) clinics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data collected were as follows: demographics, social history, presenting symptoms and signs and HNC diagnosis. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed to identify significant predictors of HNC. Internal validation was performed using 1000 sample bootstrapping to estimate model diagnostics included the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: The updated version of the risk calculator (HaNC-RC v.2) includes age, gender, unintentional weight loss, smoking, alcohol, positive and negative symptoms and signs of HNC. It has achieved an AUC of 88.6% with two recommended triage referral cut-offs to USOC (cut-off: 7.1%; sensitivity: 85%, specificity: 78.3%) or urgent clinics (cut-off: 2.2%; sensitivity: 97.1%; specificity of 52.9%). This could redistribute cancer detection through USOC clinics from the current 60.9%-85.2%, without affecting total numbers seen in each clinical setting. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the HaNC-RC v.2 has a significant potential in both identifying patients at high risk of HNC early thought USOC clinics but also improving health service delivery practices by reducing the number of inappropriately urgent referrals.

The role of allied healthcare professionals in head and neck cancer surveillance: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The roles of Allied Health Care Professionals (AHPs) in Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) are wide ranging but not clearly defined. Inter-regional variability in practice results from a lack of standardisation in approaches to the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) make-up and structure. Traditionally, the follow-up of HNC patients is clinician led with multiple scheduled follow-up appointments. The increasing population of HNC patients provides logistical, monetary and efficiency challenges. This systematic review presents the roles of the multiple AHP sub-groups in HNC with the aim of presenting how their differing skill sets can be integrated to modernise our approach in follow-up. DESIGN: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, NIHR Dissemination Centre, The Kings Fund Library, Clinical Evidence, National Health Service Evidence and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence to identify multiple subgroups of AHPs (Dentists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Clinical Nurse Specialists) and evidence of their role in HNC follow-up. Evidence not directly relating to HNC follow-up was excluded. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This Systematic Review was undertaken online by the Integrate (UK ENT Trainee National Collaborative) Head and Neck Subcommittee. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Most evidence was of low-quality, and the broad nature of the protocol provided a wide variety of study models. Two authors screened the articles for relevance to the topic before final analysis. RESULTS: The main role identified was improvement in Quality of Life and symptom control rather than detecting recurrence. We also demonstrate that it is possible to stratify HNC follow-up patients using their received treatment modality and Distress Thermometers to identify groups who will require more intensive AHP input. CONCLUSIONS: HNC follow-up covers a broad group of patients with differing needs. As such, a blanket approach to this phase of treatment is likely to be less effective than a patient-led model where the group of AHPs are employed on a needs basis rather than at set time points. This will likely lead to greater patient satisfaction, earlier detection of recurrence and efficiency savings.

Temporal Bone Anatomy in Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence: A Case Control Study on Bone Pneumatization and the Level of Middle Cranial Fossa.

OBJECTIVES: To assess for any association between the presence of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) and temporal bone pneumatization and the height of middle fossa in symptomatic patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary, university referral center. PATIENTS: Symptomatic patients with SSCD and a matched group of non-SSCD patients. INTERVENTION: High-resolution computed tomography of the temporal bones. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We graded the temporal bone pneumatization using the Virapongse classification and measured the distance between the middle fossa and the lateral semicircular canal on coronal plane at the most anterior aspect of the lateral and superior semicircular canals. We statistically compared all parameters (level of significance 0.05). RESULTS: We enrolled 30 patients with SSCD, (males = 13, females = 17) with mean age of 47 years (SD: 26). The matched control group had similar baseline characteristics (p > 0.05). Grade 4 pneumatization was noted in 83.3% (n = 25) of SSCD patients with the remainder having grade 3. In the control group, 46.6% (n = 14) had a grade 4 pneumatization, 36.6% (n = 11) grade 3 and 16.6 5 (n = 5) grade 2. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.003). The difference in the height of the middle cranial fossa between the two groups was also statistically significant (mean 3.80 [SD: 0.84] in SSCD group and 4.68 mm [SD: 0.85] in the control group; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We found better-pneumatized mastoids in patients with SSCD, indicative of a direct association between temporal bone pneumatization and SSCD. Additionally, the middle fossa dura is lying significantly lower in patients with SSCD, factor of surgical importance.

Upper airway tract complications of endotracheal intubation.

The gold standard in airway maintenance is translaryngeal endotracheal intubation, but this is not without its complications. Trauma to the upper airway as a result of the act of endotracheal intubation is a common event in adults undergoing procedures under general anaesthesia. Sites requiring attention during intubation include the laryngeal apparatus, the pharynx and oral cavity as well as the nasal cavity when nasopharyngeal intubation is performed. Patients can present with a range of symptoms which can make assessment and management challenging. Dysphonia, throat pain and dysphagia are the commonest presenting complaints. Patient-related factors, intubation technique and other anaesthetic-related conditions can be a cause of trauma, if not adequately considered before intubation. All patients should be carefully examined preoperatively and their past medical history obtained. Patient demographics, comorbidities, existing airway pathology and presence of reflux should be noted. Trauma prevention strategies should be in place to eliminate avoidable complications. Potential difficult airway cases should be flagged up and adequately prepared for, in anticipation of intubation difficulties that can lead to trauma. The majority of injuries will resolve spontaneously with conservative management. Persistent symptomatology, usually secondary to laryngeal injuries, requires prompt referral to an ear nose and throat specialist with an interest in laryngology for further assessment and treatment.

Prevertebral neck abscess with Salmonella sandiego: a case presentation and literature review.

We describe an unusual case of a 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) developing sepsis secondary to a prevertebral neck abscess. Following cross-sectional imaging, the patient underwent surgical drainage. Salmonella sandiego was isolated from urine, blood and pus cultures. Salmonella species neck infections represent a rare cause of focal salmonellosis, though have been reported in the literature. This is the first reported case of S. sandiego causing neck abscess. The case highlights an atypical presentation of salmonellosis, with the surprising finding of a neck abscess on cross-sectional imaging without evidence of co-existing significant discitis or osteomyelitis.

Not 'just' a foreign body in the ear canal.

Foreign bodies are commonly seen by the Ear, Nose and Throat emergency team with cotton wool being the most common aural foreign body seen in the adult population. Most complications secondary to aural foreign bodies described in the literature are minor and rarely require any surgical intervention. Here, we present two cases with impacted cotton wool as aural foreign bodies which resulted in suppurative labyrinthitis and osteomyelitis causing profound sensorineural hearing. These cases highlight the importance of considering aural foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis in those presenting with unilateral symptoms as significant complications, although rare, can occur, particularly in those with delayed diagnosis.