Auditory canal exostoses in Irish surfers.

AIM: Surfing is increasing in popularity in Ireland. Exostoses of the external auditory canal are a common finding in those who surf in cold water. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of external canal exostoses in a population of Irish surfers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of Irish surfers was carried out. Patients were examined and questioned on their knowledge of exostoses, surfing routine, use of barrier protection and symptoms experienced. RESULTS: 119 surfers were analysed. 66 % of the surfers examined exhibited exostoses and 88 % were unaware of their diagnosis. Those that developed exostoses had surfed for a mean of 5,028 h, those that did not had surfed for a significantly shorter mean of 1,909 h (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: This is first study of this nature in the UK or Ireland. With a 5- to 6-year lag phase for exostoses to develop, these patients are likely to become an increasing part of Otolaryngologist's workload.

The presentation and management of multiple paraganglioma in head and neck.

OBJECTIVE: We report the presentation and management of an 18-year-old male, who presented with bilateral carotid body paragangliomas and a unilateral jugular body paraganglioma. METHOD: A comprehensive review of the medical literature concerning paragangliomas in the pediatric and adult population is discussed. RESULTS: Presentations of multiple paragangliomas in an 18-year-old have never been described. CONCLUSION: This is the first case of multiple paragangliomas in a 18-year-old male, who was treated with embolisation and surgical resection and remains disease free 2 years from surgery.

The benefits of hypopharyngeal packing in nasal surgery: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Hypopharyngeal packs are used in nasal surgery to reduce the risk of aspiration and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Side effects associated with their use range from throat pain to retained packs postoperatively. AIM: To evaluate, as a pilot study, postoperative nausea/vomiting and throat pain scores for patients undergoing nasal surgery in whom a wet or dry hypopharyngeal pack was placed compared with patients who received no packing. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind prospective trial in a general ENT unit. RESULTS: The study failed to show a statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of their postoperative nausea/vomiting and throat pain scores at 2 and 6 h postoperatively. This is the first study in which dry packs have been compared with wet and absent packs. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, the authors recommend against placing hypopharyngeal packs for the purpose of preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Safety implications of the Boyle-Davis mouth gag and tracheal tube position in tonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: The risk of death after tonsillectomy is extremely small, and is mostly caused by the direct or indirect effects of haemorrhage or anaesthetic complications. These complications include aspiration, accidental dislodgement of the tracheal tube (TT), and pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. The Boyle-Davis mouth gag (BDG) is a device used to visualize the oropharynx and stabilize the TT during tonsillectomy. We postulate that a deployed BDG may influence the position of the TT, and potentially result in silent aspiration, accidental extubation, and unilateral pulmonary ventilation. This has not, to our knowledge, been evaluated before. The aim of this prospective, pilot study was to evaluate the displacement of the TT upon opening and closing the BDG, in an objective manner. METHODS: Patients undergoing tonsillectomy with/without adenoidectomy at a regional department underwent flexible bronchoscopy to evaluate the changes in position of the TT tip with the BDG in an open and closed position, relative to the position of the carina. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were enrolled into the study. Deploying the BDG resulted in TT displacement in 96% of patients. The mean displacement was 9.5 mm (range -10 to +27 mm). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that this study raises concerns not previously highlighted, on how manipulating a BDG may influence the TT position. It may serve to explain additional mechanisms of potentially fatal anaesthetic complications such as TT dislodgement, unilateral ventilation, and pneumothorax, particularly in paediatric patients, after tonsillectomy.

A subcutaneous mandibulotomy approach for a salivary clear cell carcinoma of the retromolar trigone.

OBJECTIVE: We report a novel subcutaneous mandibulotomy approach for the excision of a rare clear cell carcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS) of the retromolar trigone. METHOD: Case reports and a review of the medical literature concerning clear cell carcinoma and subcutaneous mandibulotomy are discussed. RESULTS: A subcutaneous mandibulotomy approach has recently been described for large tumours of the oropharyngeal and parapharyngeal spaces in two series of patients. Clear cell carcinoma, NOS is a rare condition, with few reports in the literature. CONCLUSION: This is the first occasion a subcutaneous mandibulotomy approach for an oral tumour has been described in Great Britain and Ireland, the second reported case of clear cell carcinoma originating in the retromolar trigone region and only the fourth case of associated lymph nodal metastases.

The needle and the damage done: pericardial effusion with tamponade after needle ingestion in an infant.

OBJECTIVE: Paediatric foreign bodies may present with vague and nonspecific symptoms. It is important to have a high index of suspicion when managing such cases. METHOD: We report the case of a nine-month-old infant who presented with a wheeze, cough and fever following ingestion of a needle. RESULTS: This patient developed pericardial tamponade as a consequence of the needle ingestion, and required a thoracotomy for retrieval. We discuss the pathophysiology involved and the surgery required. CONCLUSION: Pericardial tamponade is a rare but potentially fatal manifestation of an ingested foreign body.

Establishing a temporal bone laboratory: considerations for ENT specialist training.

Cadaveric temporal bone dissection in a temporal bone laboratory is a vital component in training safe, competent otorhinolaryngologists. Recent controversies pertaining to organ retention have resulted in a more limited supply of temporal bones. Consequently, current trainees are dissecting far fewer bones than their consultants. We discuss the establishment of a temporal bone laboratory in the Department of Anatomy in the University College Cork, from the timely preparation and preservation of the tissue to its disposal. Comparisons are drawn between our experience and that of the United States training schemes. The temporal bone laboratory in Cork is the only one in existence in Ireland. The exposure and experience obtained by registrars rotating through Cork, has resulted in noticeable improvements in their operative abilities. The temporal bone laboratory remains a core component to training. It is hoped that this article may facilitate other units overcoming obstacles to establish a temporal bone laboratory.

Paediatric aneurysmal bone cysts of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an up to date review of the literature on aneurysmal bone cysts, including their diagnosis, pathology, pathophysiology, radiology and management. METHOD: Retrospective review of six cases over a 15-year period. RESULTS: Six patients (age range, eight months to 17 years; mean, 9.6 years) presented with an aneurysmal bone cyst in the mandible (n = 3), maxilla (n = 2) or occipital soft tissue (n = 1). Each patient underwent primary excision, with one subsequent recurrence. CONCLUSION: Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign but locally destructive entities which may occasionally present to otolaryngologists, since they can involve the head and neck region, in particular the mandible.

Cardiovascular hoarseness: an unusual presentation to otolaryngologists.

OBJECTIVE: We discuss the case of a 73-year-old woman with a six-month history of hoarseness secondary to an aortic arch pseudoaneurysm. METHOD: We present the findings of an extensive review of the literature relating to cardiovascular disorders involving the recurrent laryngeal nerve (i.e. Ortner's syndrome). RESULTS: Ortner's syndrome, also known as cardiovocal syndrome, is a rare condition, with few reports in the literature. CONCLUSION: This is only the second documented case of Ortner's syndrome in Great Britain and Ireland, and the first demonstrating an aortic pseudoaneurysm.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis in otorhinolaryngology/head and neck surgery.

Prophylactic antimicrobial therapy is defined as the administration of an antimicrobial agent prior to contamination of previously sterile tissues or fluids, in an attempt to reduce the microbial burden of intraoperative contamination. Prophylactic antimicrobial therapy should cover the anticipated floral contamination, with therapeutic levels from incision to closure. There is level I evidence to support the use of prophylaxis in clean-contaminated head and neck procedures and tonsillectomy, while level II evidence fails to support the use of prophylaxis in clean head and neck procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use, timing and appropriateness of antimicrobial prophylaxis perioperatively, in otorhinolaryngological/head and neck procedures. A total of 34/51 (66%) patients were administered antimicrobial agents prophylactically. Six of 19 patients (42%) who ought to have received prophylaxis did not, while six of 13 (46%) of those who did not require it received it. Administration was unsuitably timed in 14 of 34 (41%) operations. This study demonstrates unnecessary administration of antimicrobial agents perioperatively, subclinical intraoperative antimicrobial levels for prophylaxis and inconsistent documentation regarding prophylaxis in otorhinolaryngological/head and neck procedures in a general ENT unit.