Inflammatory pseudotumour of the maxillary sinus presenting as a sino-nasal malignancy.

Inflammatory pseudotumours are a rare group of benign neoplasms of unknown aetiology. They are uncommon in head and neck sites, particularly the paranasal sinuses. Surgical excision, radiotherapy and steroids have all been used as treatment modalities. A report is made of a 27-year-old female who presented with a rapid-onset proptosis that clinically and radiologically mimicked an aggressive sino-nasal malignancy. Histology eventually confirmed an inflammatory pseudotumour of the maxillary sinus. The patient was treated successfully with a combination of surgery and steroid therapy.

Ectopic extra-cranial meningioma presenting as an aural polyp.

Ectopic meningiomas located within the external auditory canal without any intracranial connection are an extremely rare finding. A report is made of a 38-year-old woman presenting with a conductive hearing loss due to an aural polyp, which was subsequently diagnosed as a meningioma. Computer-aided tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the tumour to be entirely extracranial. Complete tumour excision was achieved using a modified radical mastoidectomy approach.

Bilateral submandibular duct relocation for drooling: an evaluation of results for the Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Drooling is a problem of the neurologically impaired that often leads to stigmatisation and social isolation. Bilateral submandibular duct relocation (BSMDR) is a surgical procedure that may be used to control troublesome drooling. The aim of this study was to assess the results following surgery and attempt to identify those factors that would mitigate against a successful outcome. A retrospective case note review was performed, and data were collected on 23 neurologically impaired patients who underwent the procedure between 1993 and 2000 at the Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK. An overall improvement in drooling was demonstrated in 20 (87%) cases, with complete cessation of drooling in 13 (57%) cases. The complications included one ranula, three transient submandibular gland swellings and two persistent swellings requiring gland excision. It is difficult to predict which patients will have an unsuccessful outcome following surgery. In our series, three (13%) patients had poor results. We could not determine any special features that could account for this, except that these patients in particular demonstrated the greatest degree of oral-motor dysfunction. BSMDR is a technically straightforward procedure associated with minimal morbidity and a high success rate. It is the procedure of choice at our institution.

Dermoid cyst of the infratemporal fossa.

Dermoid cysts are rare benign tumours, they represent the simplest form of teratoma. Approximately seven per cent affect the head and neck region, within this region they are frequently encountered in the area of the lateral eyebrow, the orbit and the nose. A case of a 17-year-old girl who developed a rapidly growing facial swelling due to an infratemporal fossa dermoid cyst is presented. A review of the literature using Medline has not revealed any previous reports of similar cases. The lesion was completely excised using a lateral approach to the infratemporal fossa.

Updating concepts of first branchial cleft defects: a literature review.

OBJECTIVE: The Sinuses and fistulae of first branchial cleft origin have been widely reported in the literature and their variable relationship to the facial nerve has been described. Most published series however are too small to allow a detailed analysis of the relative frequency of various relationships of these lesions to the facial nerve and therefore enabling the determination of risks to the nerve at surgery. The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive review of literature in an attempt to identify those patients with a deep tract (lying deep to the main trunk of the facial nerve and/or its branches, and/or between the branches) and to recognize the incidence of the complications of surgical management. METHODS: Available English, French and German literature between 1923 and 2000 was reviewed and variables including patient's age, sex, side and type of anomaly, opening of the lesion and the relationship of the tract are analyzed in relation to the position of the facial nerve. The complications due to their surgical excision are also reported. RESULTS: Of the total number of cases with fistulae and sinuses identified (n=158) fistulous tracts were more likely to lie deep to the facial nerve compared with sinus tracts (P=0.01). Lesions with openings in the external auditory meatus are associated with a tract superficial to the facial nerve (P=0.05). Patients presenting at a younger age were more likely to have a deep tract with consequent increased risk of facial nerve damage. CONCLUSION: Identification of the facial nerve trunk at an early stage of dissection is critical. Extra care and caution should be exercised in younger patients (<6 months), those with fistulous tracts and in patients with a tract opening elsewhere other than the external auditory canal.