Ossifying fibromyxoid tumour is a recently described, rare but morphologically distinctive soft tissue neoplasm characterised by a combination of myxoid and/or fibrous stroma with areas of ossification. Although most authors postulate a neuroectodermal origin for this peculiar tumour, there is no agreement in the literature regarding its histopathogenesis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour involving the sphenoid sinus.

Tumour of low cell density, composed of small, spindle-shaped or stellate cells with small, irregular nuclei set in a fibromyxoid stroma.

Following discussion at the skull base multidisciplinary team meeting, a combined surgical team including an otorhinolaryngologist and a neurosurgeon carried out resection of the lesion, using an endoscopic transnasal approach, followed by reconstruction of the defect.

An awareness of the distinctive histopathological features of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour, and of its clinical effects, is crucial to establishing a definitive diagnosis and thereby instituting appropriate management. This case report also reinforces the evolving role of the endoscopic transnasal approach in the management of inflammatory and neoplastic disease involving the skull base. This is increasingly being made possible by close collaboration between multiple surgical specialties, including otorhinolaryngology and neurosurgery.

To describe a case of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysm occurring as a rare complication of parotid surgery (to the authors' knowledge, the first such case reported), to review the aetiology of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysm, and to highlight pseudoaneurysm as a cause of facial swelling after parotidectomy.

A literature search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases was carried out using the Medical Subject Heading key words ‘superficial temporal artery’, ‘aneurysm’, ‘pseudoaneurysm’ and ‘parotid’.

No previously reported cases of superficial temporal artery aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm following parotid surgery were identified.

Pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery is a rare complication of parotid surgery which has not previously been reported.

To review previous reports and to discuss the management of branching polycystic and giant thyroglossal duct cysts.

We present two cases of thyroglossal duct cyst: one a branching, polycystic thyroglossal duct cyst in an 11-year-old boy, and the other a giant thyroglossal cyst in a 41-year-old man. Such cysts are rare. Both patients were operated upon according to the methods of Sistrunk and Horisawa, and both had a satisfactory post-operative course.

We discuss the most important aspects of such cyst removal procedures.

Our experience suggests that surgery to remove an anomalous thyroglossal duct cyst should be performed using a technique based on the anatomy of the hyoid bone region.

We present the first report of agenesis of the middle nasal turbinate.

We present a case report and briefly discuss the world literature.

A 57-year-old man presenting with sinonasal symptoms was evaluated clinically and radiologically. Agenesis of the patient's left middle turbinate was detected. Coronal computed tomography images showed a septal spur replacing the absent left middle turbinate.

The lateral nasal wall has complex anatomy, and several anatomical variations have been reported. The most common anatomical variation of the middle nasal turbinate is concha bullosa. Unilateral agenesis of the middle nasal turbinate has not previously been reported; the presented patient represents the first reported case.

We report a case of spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage due to underlying von Willebrand's disease, without symptoms or signs of infection.

Case report and literature review of reported causes of spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage.

Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage is uncommon. Acute bacterial tonsillitis, peri-tonsillar abscess, infectious mononucleosis and idiopathic causes have been reported. Two cases of tonsillitis with underlying bleeding disorders have been reported. We present the first reported case of spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage secondary to von Willebrand's disease, without evidence of tonsillitis.

Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage is usually related to infection of the tonsils or peri-tonsillar space. An underlying bleeding disorder should be suspected if no evidence of infection is found.

We present a previously unreported technique which we have found useful for closure of the donor site created by a paramedian forehead flap, during nasal reconstruction.

An 80-year-old woman was referred to the ENT department for management of a large tumour involving the left nasal dorsum. The lesion measured 2.5 × 2.5 cm, and an incisional biopsy confirmed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Complete excision with an interpolated paramedian forehead flap reconstruction was performed. The pedicle was divided three weeks post-operatively, and the 2 × 2 cm forehead defect was closed at this time. A frontalis muscle flap and full thickness skin graft were used to close the donor site.

A frontalis muscle flap is a novel method of closing large forehead defects created by a paramedian forehead flap. A frontalis muscle flap provides a healthy base for a full thickness skin graft, which allows good skin colour matching and an enhanced cosmetic result.

We report a very rare case of a hydatid cyst in the infratemporal fossa, causing visual loss over a 10-day period, which disappeared with rapid surgical and medical treatment.

A 14-year-old girl presented with right exophthalmos and visual loss. Over a 10-day period, her visual acuity had decreased to detection of hand motion only, due to pressure on the optic nerve caused by a parapharyngeal cyst pressing through a inferior orbital fissure on the right side. A craniotomy had previously been performed for a right frontoparietal hydatid cyst. The patient had been treated intermittently with albendazole. The patient was primarily diagnosed with hydatid cyst, on the basis of her previous medical history and radiological findings, and underwent surgery. Three cysts were carefully removed from the right maxillary sinus, via a standard Caldwell–Luc approach, and the surgical area was irrigated with hypertonic saline.

Infratemporal hydatidosis is very rarely reported in the world literature, although hydatid cysts are endemic in many countries, including Iran. We discuss the common presenting features, investigation and treatment options for infratemporal hydatosis. Constant evaluation of adjacent organs is necessary, with treatment as required, due to the propensity of hydatidosis to recur in essential organs. Immediate surgery is recommended, both to prevent the development of disease and to improve the prognosis.

We report a rare case of meningocoele of the fallopian canal resulting in recurrent meningitis.

We present a case report together with a review of the world literature concerning meningocoele of the fallopian canal and meningitis.

A child developed profound, bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss as a result of meningitis caused by a meningocoele of the fallopian canal. He was treated with bilateral cochlear implantation, with a subtotal petrosectomy and middle ear and eustachian tube obliteration on the affected side.

Meningocoele of the fallopian canal has rarely been reported. This lesion can present with recurrent meningitis and, rarely, with facial weakness. All children with recurrent meningitis should be investigated for skull base defects. Treatment aims to prevent further episodes of meningitis; we recommend that this is best achieved by the technique of subtotal petrosectomy, with obliteration of the middle ear and eustachian tube.