'Hairy polyp' of the pharynx in association with an ipsilateral branchial sinus: evidence that the 'hairy polyp' is a second branchial arch malformation.

The pharyngeal 'hairy polyp', or 'dermoid' has caused considerable debate as to its origin since the original classification proposed by Arnold in 1870. This classification implies that the hairy polyp is either a teratoma or sequestration dermoid cyst. Many papers contest this view, in favour of a developmental malformation. We describe the first case of a hairy polyp in association with an ipsilateral branchial sinus as further supportive evidence of a developmental malformation of the second branchial arch.

Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis affecting the nasal cavity. A mucosal variant of the skin lesion granuloma faciale.

Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis (EAF) is an unusual fibrotic condition affecting the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, of which there have been eight reported cases. The condition is thought to be associated with the rare skin disorder granuloma faciale, which is histologically identical, and was present in two cases of EAF. We report the third case where EAF and granuloma faciale occurred together, to highlight this type of intranasal fibrosis as a distinct pathological entity.

Vocal fold palsy following vinca alkaloid treatment.

We report two patients with Hodgkin's disease on chemotherapy, one with vincristine, the other with vinblastine, who were referred to the ENT department with a vocal fold palsy. These drugs are commonly used in the treatment of haematological malignancies, and head and neck sarcomas. Examination showed a unilateral immobile fold. No causative local pathology was identified, and they were otherwise thought to be achieving remission, but the development of a fold palsy suggested a poor response to treatment. One patient's palsy resolved following completion of chemotherapy, but the other patient's persists, despite an otherwise good response to the treatment. The vinca alkaloids are neurotoxic, usually causing a peripheral neuropathy, but cranial mononeuropathies are a rare side-effect. A total of 27 previous cases of vocal fold palsy have been reported with the use of the vinca alkaloids, and such a lesion should not be assumed to be due to advancing lymphoma.

Actinomycosis of the posterior triangle: a case report and review of the literature.

Actinomycosis presents acutely as an abscess, or as a chronic lesion mimicking malignancy, tuberculosis, or aspergillosis. Most disease involves the mouth and its immediate site of lymphatic drainage, the anterior triangle of the neck. We present a case of actinomycosis at the apex of the posterior triangle, suspected of being a malignancy, and discuss the importance of being aware of this as a cause of neck lumps. The diagnosis is usually made late because of the difficulties in culturing the organism, or in identifying characteristic 'sulphur granules' in pus or biopsy specimens. For these reasons, the disease is underdiagnosed. When acute or chronic neck lesions prove difficult to diagnose, microscopy and prolonged anaerobic culture of pus and biopsy specimens should be performed in addition in Ziehl-Neelsen staining, tuberculosis and fungal cultures. The tests should be repeated if negative. Specific treatment requires prolonged courses of antibiotics, despite adequate surgical excision, to prevent relapse.