Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) tumours have been described recently as malignant tumours arising from accessory cells of the lymph nodes. They are rare tumours with fewer than 70 cases occurring worldwide. They usually present in cervical or abdominal lymph nodes,with very few occurring extranodally. We present the first case of an FDC tumour to occur in the hypopharynx with simultaneous cervical node metastases. The pathology is discussed and the literature reviewed.

A unique case of pseudosarcomatous fibrovascular proliferative tissue causing biphasic stridor and simulating a primary subglottic angiosarcoma is reported.

The patient presented with a wheeze and was diagnosed initially with asthma. He subsequently developed worsening biphasic stridor. Flexible nasendoscopy revealed a subglottic mass obstructing the airway. The mass was removed with a carbon dioxide laser and the patient’s condition improved dramatically. The specimen was difficult to interpret histologically and was thought at first to be a novel case of a primary subglottic angiosarcoma. However, the slides were reviewed by expert soft tissue pathologists in the UK and USA, and a final diagnosis of a pseudosarcomatous fibrovascular proliferative lesion was made.

This case highlights the important principle of seeking additional opinions before making a malignant diagnosis in an atypical site. Our report also emphasizes the importance of good clinico-pathological liaison, especially in difficult cases.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a very aggressive infection with associated high mortality. Risk factors of acquiring this infection may include diabetes mellitus, surgery, trauma, and infection. This infection necessitates prompt recognition and aggressive management in order to avoid its unfavourable outcomes. Associated nerve paralysis may indicate the involvement of deeper tissue.

The present report highlights a case of cervical NF that was complicated by facial nerve paralysis, a feature that has rarely been reported.

This study investigated the usefulness of three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) in the evaluation of bony defects caused by cholesteatoma. Fifteen patients with chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma who showed bony destruction or suspicious destruction in two-dimensional CT were examined using 3DCT. The CT data were transferred to a workstation witha real-time image processor. We used three-dimensional reconstruction software enabling image processing. In all patients, 3DCT clearly delineated the destruction of bony structures by cholesteatoma. The 3DCT-generated images provided spatial relationships, which were not easily appreciated on two-dimensional CT. Intraoperative bony destruction findings correlated with 3DCT findings. From these results, 3DCT could be useful to evaluate the invasiveness of cholesteatoma to the cranial base. It could also be helpful in planning reconstruction during surgery.

Autoimmune inner ear disease is a well described entity. We report a case of sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss in association with psoriatic arthritis, which has not been reported in the literature. The case satisfies the criteria for the presumptive diagnosis of autoimmune hearing loss. A high index of suspicion, with early diagnosis and aggressive treatment with steroids and/or immunosuppressive agents, is essential to prevent irreversible hearing loss. The condition of psoriatic arthritis must be added to the pantheon of autoimmune diseases that can lead to sensorineural hearing loss.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the head and neck are rare. They usually occur intracranially and derive their vascular supply from the intracranial vessels. In the English literature there has not been any documented case of AVMs in and around the external auditory meatus (EAM). The authors present the first case, a spontaneous AVM deriving its vascular supply from the posterior auricular artery. The diagnostic difficulties and management strategies of spontaneous AVMs are discussed.

Malignant external otitis (MEO) is a severe infection of the external auditory meatus caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Classical features include unrelenting deep otalgia, otorrhoea and granulations in the floor of the ear canal. Treatment is generally protracted antibiotic therapy and monitoring of inflammatory markers; the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Traditionally computed tomography (CT) has been the imaging modality of choice. The authors present a case where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been crucial in the diagnosis and follow up of a patient with MEO.

Bilateral choanal atresia is potentially life-threatening. The condition almost always presents in the new born, with alternating phases of respiratory distress and apnoea relieved by crying. We report a rare case of bilateral choanal atresia presenting for the first time at 22 years of age. The patient had no features of cyanosis or apnoea, presenting only with bilateral nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea and anosmia. His neonatal history was unremarkable. No syndromic association was noted excepting for telecanthus. The presence of bony atresia was confirmed on computed tomography (CT) scan and transnasal endoscopic surgery was used to obtain a patent airway. This case is a rare report of bilateral choanal atresia presenting for the first time in adult life.

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare tumour, which is often difficult to diagnose. This is especially true in patients with pre-existing tertiary hyperparathyroidism of end-stage renal disease. A case is presented of parathyroid carcinoma in a haemodialysis patient withunusual thymic involvement. After demonstrating the difficulty in pre-operative diagnosis and risk of recurrence, the importance of non-surgical treatment options is discussed and the investigation of individual tumour chemosensitivity is introduced, which is new to this type of cancer.