The removal of the uvula for minor pharyngeal lesions is unusual in Western otorhinolaryngological practice. However, uvulectomy is a common procedure for ‘throat problems’ in Nirgeria and some other African countries by traditional surgeons. This is because it is believed that the elongated uvula is the root cause of all throat problems. These traditional surgeons are usually barbers by profession and only practice surgery on a part-time basis. Most of their patients do well but some have to be rushed to the hospital with severe post-operative bleeding. Attention of Europeans and other foreign otolaryngologists who may find themselves practising in any part of Arica is hereby drawn to the procedure.

Diminution of vision arising from head injuries involving the optic foramen can be treated by transethmoidal decompression of the optic froamen can be treated by transethomidal decompression of the optic nerve. Early surgery is associated with good recovery of function. In this paper, the surgical procedure is discussed, with the results in 10 cases.

A 54-year-old man presented with candida tropicalis meningitis after exploration of the mastoid. He responded well to the combined intravenous administration of amphotericin B and 5 fluorocytosine. But 5 fluorocytosine had to be withdrawn when the candida proved to be resistant to this antifungal agent. However, the patient made an uneventful recovery. This seems to be the first report of a candida tropicalis meningitis in an otherwise healthy adult patient in this country.

Infection of the meninges with candida remains rare (Black, 1970). Most of them are caused by candida albicans in patients with some other underlying conditions or those on prolonged antibiotic, corticosteroid, cytotoxic, immunosuppresive therapies. The purpose of this brief communication is to draw attention to its occurrence in a healthy patient following exploration of the mastoid for chronic suppurative middle-ear disease.

Benign tumors of the larynx are rare lesions and seldom encountered by radiologists. They usually are small, most commonly being diagnosed by indirect or direct laryngoscopy. A case of a large benign lipoma arising from the larynx which was visualized radiographically is described. A definitive diagnosis, however, was only possible following surgical excision of the lesion.