Schwannoma of the posterior pharyngeal wall, in a 36-year-old male patient is presented demonstrating the asymptomatic nature of the tumour (which is peculiar to schwannomas). The tumour gradually increased in size, destroyed the body of the third cervical vertebra but remained asymptomatic. The patient only presented to hospital when the tumour obstructed the airway, because of its large size.

The aetiology of antrochonal polyps is unknown. We report one case where treatment with topical intranasal cortico-steroids was successful. We are not aware of any previous reports of medical treatment.

We report an unusual case of a large vascular lesion of the floor of the mouth of rapid onset in a 50-year-old man who presented with an external swelling in the submental region and a history of fluctuating swelling of the tongue. The clinical features, investigations, treatment and course of this rare condition are discussed.

A case of intraoperative tracheostomy tube obstruction is reported. The clinical features and the chain of events leading to the diagnosis of cuff herniation are presented. The different mechanisms of herniation are discussed. In the present case we speculate that a manufacturing defect together with nitrous oxide diffusion into the cuff caused dilatation and herniation of the latter which led to obstruction of the distal tube lumen. We draw attention to this rare but life-threatening complication.

A case of severe macroglossia. following intraoral surgery, causing respiratory distress is described. Because conventional therapy appeared inadequate, leeches were used and proved an efficient method of reducing this life-threatening swelling of the tongue.

We report two cases of cervical mycobacterium avium-intracellulare lymphadenitis in siblings which developed within one month of each other. There was no underlying immunodeficiency but the children lived in close proximity to a pigeon loft.

We report on a family exhibiting a range of congenital anomalies consistent with the G syndrome of Opitz. Three members of the family had laryngo-tracheo-oesophageal clefts, one of which succumbed. There was a strong family history of perinatal mortality on the maternal side of the family. We note also the paucity of reported cases of this syndrome in the otolaryngological literature and stress the necessity of early diagnosis in the management.

Paradoxical vocal fold movement leads to marked inspiratory stridor with adduction of the vocal folds on inspiration. A patient is presented who illustrates some of the difficulties in diagnosis and management. A range of treatments were tried including tracheostomy, laser arytenoidectomy and vocal fold lateralization.

Cellular oncogenes have been implicated in head and neck cancer development since 1986. More recently interest has focused on chromosome 11q13; oncogenes therein undergoing ongoing investigation include Bcl-l/Prad-1, Hst-1 and Int-2.

Our laboratory has studied the Int-2 oncogene for several years, primarily in the breast. This paper presents our investigations of Int-2 in the head and neck. Thirty-four paraffin-embedded primary squamous cell carcinomas were studied for Int-2 gene amplification using a carefully controlled method of sequence quantification by DNA dot blots. Amplification, mostly low level, was identified in 62 per cent of samples studied. No clinical correlation to amplification could be found.

Further studies are underway looking for evidence of expression of Int-2 in fresh tissues and for amplification and expression of other oncogenes on this amplicon.

Ectopic cervical salivary tissue may present as a discharging sinus if a duct system and cutaneous orifice are present. Where described in previous reports these openings have been located along the anterior border of sternomastoid or in the anterior triangle, making this a differential diagnosis of a branchial sinus. We report on a patient who presented with an ectopic salivary gland in the posterior triangle of the neck.

Second branchial cleft and pouch anomalies are by far the commonest of the branchial anomalies. In most cases, however, there is a unilateral cleft sinus. A complete fistula with external and internal openings is rare. We present a case with a complete branchial fistula in which the tract was followed from the neck to the tonsillar fossa using a combined approach.

Giant cell reparative granuloma is a benign lesion occurring most commonly in the bones of the jaw and rarely in the paranasal sinuses. We present an unusual case of giant cell reparative granuloma arising within a concha bullosa. Complete excision was achieved using an endoscopic transnasal approach.

Cervical heterotopic salivary tissues are rare and are predominantly found in the anterior triangle of the neck especially at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscl. We report a case of pleomorphic adenoma arising in the left posterior triangle of the neck.

A pharyngocele is a rare condition. According to the literature and our own experience it is usually not recognized or is mistaken for a laryngocele.

short review of the literature, a description of the condition and three cases are reported.

A case of recurrent abscess on the left anterior neck due to a left piriform sinus fistula is presented. It is known that a piriform sinus fistula may cause acute suppurative thyroiditis, and also that it induces the recurrent anterior cervical abscess described in this case. Here, we suggest that barium swallow is an important aid to diagnosis cases of recurrent cervical abscess.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervical trachea is rare and its diagnosis and surgical management challenging. We report a case with an unusual presentation and discuss the diagnosis and management. The preferred surgical management is tracheal resection, however this is often not feasible and many alternative techniques have been used. Here an anterior castellated approach is described, a modification of that more commonly used for benign tracheal strictures. We found it gave excellent access to the posterior tracheal wall which we feel is superior to a straight vertical tracheal incision. It also facilitates a tracheal widening procedure if indicated, and safeguards the recurrent laryngeal nerves which are particularly vulnerable in the cervical part of the trachea.

Invasive peri- and post-operative monitoring is being increasingly utilized, and a corresponding increase of concomitant complications are becoming apparent.

Two cases of complete right vocal fold paralysis are reported as a possible complication of right central venous catheterization. The underlying aetiology of this complication is presumed to be either direct trauma at the time of introduction of the central venous catheter, or by thrombosis and fibrosis around the recurrent laryngeal or vagus nerve. It is suggested that multiple attempts at cannulation and leaving the central line in situ for long periods increases the risk of this complication.

When the integrity of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve or vagus is jeopardized or must be sacrificed during surgery, it is suggested that ipsilateral central lines are inserted to minimize the risk of bilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Cases of vocal fold paralysis secondary to central line insertion should be followed expectantly and surgical intervention only be considered after 12 months review.

Tracheo-innominate artery fistual is usually fatal complication of tracheostomy. The trachea and innominate artery were successfully reconstructed in an 11-year-old girl who presented with this complication. The thymus was interposed betweenn these two structres in order to prevent further long-term complications.

Benign salivary gland tumours in childhood are rare. We present a case of a pleomorphic adenoma arising in a minor salivary gland within the hard palate, review the literature and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic features of the condition.

Synovial sarcoma is rarely seen in the head and neck region. A case of synovial sarcoma of the pharynx in a child is presented.