Isolated left sternocleidomastoid pyomyositis: a rare presentation of cervical sepsis.

An elderly gentleman self-presented to A+E with a 7-day history of significant and progressive left-sided neck pain, swelling and fevers, despite oral antibiotics from his general practitioner. Examination revealed a large left-sided neck mass involving levels 2-5 of the neck that was firm to palpate, with erythematous overlying skin.An urgent CT scan demonstrated a large collection throughout the length of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), measuring 13×5.5×4 cm, with extensive adjacent inflammatory change. He was subsequently taken to theatre for washout and debridement, during which the collection was found to be loculated and isolated to the SCM, with surrounding structures spared.Postoperatively, he was managed with intravenous fluids and a total of 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotics. The wound partially dehisced during healing and the cavity was packed with flaminal and regularly dressed with input from the tissue viability team. This was then left to heal by secondary intention and the patient was followed up in clinic over the following weeks to ensure resolution.

Extreme laryngeal candidiasis: airway obstruction.

We describe the case of a 33-year-old female smoker who presented to the Accident and Emergency department with a 1-day history of rapidly evolving airway compromise. She had no preceding illness or other objective signs/symptoms on presentation, had a history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and a previous opioid addiction. Following failed endotracheal intubation, the airway was secured with an emergency surgical tracheostomy. Subsequent direct laryngoscopy revealed a severely diseased glottis and supraglottic area, from which biopsy samples revealed a multiple drug-resistant strain of Candida albicans requiring specialist microbiology input and antifungal treatment. We describe the presentation, investigation, management and outcome of this rare case, along with a literature review of the subject.

Sudden onset hearing loss following intra-abdominal surgery: an unusual association.

We describe the case of a 12-year-old boy who reported unilateral hearing loss following laparoscopic appendicectomy for acute appendicitis under general anaesthesia. He was otherwise fit and well with no previous otological history. Formal audiological assessment by pure tone audiogram demonstrated a unilateral high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).In addition to describing his clinical course, a literature review of SNHL following non-otological surgery was performed. We recommend an awareness of this phenomenon, necessitating its prompt recognition, early audiological assessment and management as per sudden onset SNHL guidelines.

Facial nerve canal dehiscence: evaluation of a new middle eardissection technique and digitalized image analysis

Thorough knowledge of the variation of intrahepatic course of the portal vein is essential for pre-operative assessment of various hepatic surgeries like hepatectomy and live donor liver transplant. This study aims to determine the variation in the branching pattern of the portal vein in South Indian population. The branching pattern of the portal vein was studied by 3D reconstruction of 100 contrast-enhanced computed tomography images and in 15 formalin fixed livers using modified luminal casting technique. Radiologically, the normal portal vein anatomy was seen in 89%. The most common variation was trifurcation of portal vein (5%). A rare anomaly was noted in one case where the left portal vein gave a branch to segment VII. Using the modified luminal casting technique all the 15 specimens displayed Type I portal vein anatomy. The most common variation in the intrahepatic branching pattern observed was the right posterior segmental division supplying segment VIII. A rare left portal vein variation, in which it gave branches to segments V and VIII was noted. In this study, variations in the segmental supply of the portal vein were observed, which have not been studied in detail previously in the Indian population. Variations on the left portal vein are infrequent. A prior knowledge of such variations will help the interventional radiologists to reduce misinterpretations and subsequent misdiagnosis and guide the hepatobiliary

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Acute myocardial infarction in a young elite cyclist: a missed opportunity.

A 27-year-old elite-level professional cyclist presented to the emergency department with a 6-hour history of chest pain and vomiting after prematurely aborting a competitive event. ECG demonstrated anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, and blood tests revealed a grossly elevated high-sensitivity troponin T. Emergent coronary angiography confirmed the presence of a thrombus in the mid-left anterior descending artery with possible spontaneous coronary artery dissection. The patient recovered well following balloon angioplasty and thrombus aspiration, despite delayed recognition, invasive investigation and intervention.

Potential life-threatening complication of tonsillectomy: cervicofacial surgical emphysema.

A 30-year-old woman presented to the accident and emergency department 3 days post-tonsillectomy with bleeding from the tonsillar fossa and left-sided facial swelling. The patient denied any dysphagia or breathing difficulties but experienced pain on neck movement. On examination, although the bleeding had stopped on reaching the emergency department, a small clot was noted in her left tonsillar fossa. A left facial/submandibular swelling was seen, which had been present since her operation and was slowly enlarging. Flexible nasendoscopy showed a mild left sided oropharyngeal swelling but was otherwise normal. She was treated initially with antibiotics and hydrogen peroxide gargles. After 24 hours of observation and a slight worsening of the swelling she underwent a CT of the neck. This showed widespread indurated subcutaneous surgical emphysema, originating from the left tonsillar bed. Following a period of observation and improvement in her symptoms, she was discharged home with safety netting.