Fifteen Minor Head Trauma patients were investigated by Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials at 10/s and 55/s stimulus rate. The results were compared with those of the same patients at a second examination, two months later, as well as with a matched normal control group. Increasing the stimulus rate in MHT patients caused a significant but reversible delay in the central conduction time. No significant difference was found regarding the interpeak latency differences at a 10/s stimulus rate. The present study suggests that the primary lesion in MHT is ischaemic, affecting synaptic efficiency, and not axonal damage. These findings may be informative on the as yet obscure pathophysiological mechanism of minor head trauma.

Facial nerve specimens obtained during reinnervation surgery from 31 patients with facial palsy of varying aetiology were studied. In patients who had a facial palsy after attenuation during acoustic schwannoma removal the facial nerve had normal populations of myelinated nerve fibres in the sensory zone but their numbers and sizes were severely reduced and fibrosis was increased in the motor zone. The latter also had large numbers of endoneurial tubes with thin unmyelinated axons.

When the facial nerve had been severed in tumour removal, it had practically no remaining nerve fibres. In three out of four patients with middle ear cholesteatoma, the distal facial nerve stump showed severe fibrosis. In patients with iatrogenic trauma and skull fracture, the distal stump usually showed few myelinated nerve fibres, endoneurial tubes with thin unmyelinated fibres and increased fibrosis.

The pathological changes observed indicate that in all cases the motor fibres distal to the lesion have undergone Wallerian degeneration and demyelination and in most a subsequent partial regeneration. However, the regeneration remained incomplete. The distal stump of the facial nerve with numerous endoneurial tubes in most cases of the material presented appear to provide favourable structural preconditions for reinnervation surgery.

A radiographic planimetric study of mastoid air cell system was carried out on 100 normal human subjects of which 50 were males and 50 females–who were further subdivided into five age groups. They had no history of past ear disease or any other clinical ENT abnormality. The mean area of the mastoid air cell system was measured planimetrically on X-rays and the data analysed according to age and sex. It was 12.05±0.67 cm2 in males and 11.45±0.70 cm2 in females (which are more or less the same as that of Western people).

The size of the cranial bones has no apparent role in the size variation of the mastoid air cell system. The development of the latter was very rapid up to 10 years of age in both sexes and it continued even after 20 years of age but at a much slower rate.

Implantable bone conduction aids are potentially an important advance for those with a conductive hearing impairment. One system (Xomed Audiant bone conductor), which uses electromagnetic induction to vibrate a subcutaneous implanted skull magnet, has now been implanted in sufficient patients in the United Kingdom, for enough time, for its indicationsto be evaluated.

Seventeen of the total of 18 patients that have been implanted, satisfied the average threshold criterion for suitability for implantation (average bone conduction over 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz of 25 dB HL or better) yet only 10 of the 17 (59 per cent) currently use their Audiant aid. This was not because of technical reasons but was mainly influenced by the previous type of amplification. Current usage of a body level processor was 100 per cent) (6 of 6) in those that previously could only use a conventional bone conduction aid because of bilateral congenital or acquired atresia of their external auditory canals. In comparison, usage was only 36 per cent (4 of 11) in those that could potentially use a conventional ear level aid albeit with problems such as the discharge from active chronic otitis media. This relative non-use was considered due to a lack of power of the ear level processor and the general unwillingness of patients to change from an ear level to a body level device.

Otorrhoea is a common otological complaint reflecting infection in the outer and/;or middle ear. Guidelines as to which antibiotic/;steroid ear drop preparation to use in a treatment regime are few and no studies comparing the different types of preparation are available. This paper reviews the antibiotic/;steroid ear drop preparations used by consultant surgeons and general practitioners and presents a two fold rationale for deciding which preparation to use, based on microbial sensitivity and cost.

A challenging surgical problem is the correction of supra-tip depression of the nose following collapse of nasal septal support. Numerous materials have been used in augmentation rhinoplasties attempting to correct this deformity, all having certain disadvantages. A modified technique is described in which costal cartilage surrounded by perichondrium is grafted in such noses; the results of a small series is discussed. The problems of graft distortion and resorbtion appear to have been satisfactorily overcome by using this procedure.

The Ligmaject® syringe for local anaesthetic injection incorporates a pistol-grip handle and a ratchet system designed to inject a very tiny aliquot of anaesthetic per ‘click’. This instrument was used to provide local anaesthesia for 22 otological procedures on consenting adults. The performance of the Ligmaject syringe compared favourably with that of the conventional dental syringe in terms of patient acceptability and user convenience.

Ten families in which there were 79 individuals affected by Waardenburg's syndrome were examined for penetrance of sensorineural hearing loss and expressivity of the gene. There were 47 with Waardenburg syndrome Type 1 and 32 with Waardenburg syndrome Type II. Penetrance of senorineural hearing loss was calculated after exclusion of the probands and was found not to be significantly different between each syndrome type but to show marked interfamilial variation. A bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was present more frequently than unilateral with the proportion varying between families. Certain audiometric shapes were found to recur in the syndrome but, apart from possibly one asymmetric configuration, seem to have been described also in other conditions. The degree of hearing loss was very variable within and between families. The implications for genetic counselling are discussed and the advantages of basing risk factors upon individual families rather than syndrome types emphasized.

The best method of providing waterproof protection for susceptible ears remains a contentious issue. Many evaluations have concentrated on the efficacy of intraluminal plugs in normal or model ears. We describe a new method, using a jejunostomy shower cap (Dansac mini cap®), which avoids intraluminal insertion.

This method has proved useful in some patients who have failed to avoid repeated otorrhoea after water exposure despite using a wide range of intraluminal ear plugs. The shower caps are best avoided in children because of teasing.

Otomycosis is a common disease in North Iraq. Of the 219 cases diagnosed clinically in Mosul Teaching Hospital seen during a 15 month period, 179 were due to fungus infection. The disease was more frequently encountered in young adults whose age was range from 16–30 years. The incidence of the disease was significantly higher in females (65.4 per cent), mainly housewives, than in males. Aspergillus species were the dominant isolated fungi (92.1 per cent).

Carcinoma of the nasal vestibule has an individual clinical character; in this retrospective analysis the data of 12 consecutive patients are reported. Small lesions were treated by surgical resection and larger tumours by intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) followed by external beam radiotherapy. One patient had a recurrence which was successfully treated surgically; six had previous or subsequent malignancies. The results of the most recent series reported in the literature are reviewed and the rationale of the IAC approach is discussed. The reported treatment policy seems effective in achieving the highest cure rate with the best functional results.

The manifestations of Lyme disease as they may present to the ENT surgeon are discussed. The most important ENT symptom is facial palsy. Particularly when combined with other cranial palsies, systemic illness or signs of meningeal irritation, the diagnosis must be considered. Three case reports are used to illustrate the presentation and diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. The characteristics of the disease are reviewed and the limitations of serological testing outlined. The literature has concentrated on bilateral or relapsing facial palsy. A review of palsies in Zurich that presented to the ENT clinic found only unilateral and partial palsies. The diagnosis should be considered in every case of facial palsy of unknown aetiology especially in children.

Previous studies on daily tympanometric screening using an automatic impedance tympanoscope indicated relatively high incidences of type B tympanograms of one day's duration, which is contrary to our conceptions of the pathogenesis and pathology of otitis media with effusion. We therefore repeated the study in 51 otherwise healthy children (100 ears) attending kindergarten. Tympanometry was performed daily for one month using both the conventional impedance apparatus AZ 7 and the automatic impedance tympanoscope ZS 331. The impedance apparatus did not indicate any one-day type B tympanograms and only a few short-lasting episodes occuring either in the beginning or end of the study period. Several ears had type B tympanograms on all days examined. The point prevalence was 15 per cent and the period prevalence 17 per cent, which accord well with findings of previous epidemiological studies of secretory otitis. The impedance tympanoscope indicated 16 cases of B-curves lasting only one day and considerably higher point and period prevalences, which make the impedance tympanoscope unsuited for both scientific and clinical purposes.

An association between non-suppurative otitis media (NSOM) and symptoms of dysequilibrium has been observed but not previously quantified in children (Gates, 1980;Busis, 1983; Blayney and Coleman, 1984). This study compared the incidence of balance related problems in 154 children with surgically proven glue ear and 51 children with normal ear function. Symptoms ranging from true vertigo to mild ataxia were discovered in 22 per cent of the children with NSOM but in none of those within the control group (p>0.001). Periods of dysequilibrium were associated with episodes of otalgia in 64 per cent of the children but were not increased in those with unilateral compared to those with bilateral effusions. Complete resolution of symptoms occurred in 85 per cent of children following the insertion of grommets. A history of balance disturbance should be actively sought in all children with otitis media with effusion, and when present, provides a strong indication for early operative intervention.

Conventional external ear swab cultures were compared with cultures obtained from the middle ear, in 25 cases of tubotympanic type (‘safe’), chronic suppurative otitis media. These cultures were identical in 22 of the 25 cases.

Anaerobic organisms were isolated in only one case. Mixed infections of both gram-positive and gramnegative organisms were seen in nine cases (36 per cent).

Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest single agent isolated (16 cases). Multidrug resistance was seen in 12 of these isolates.

The authors undertook a study to evaluate the effectiveness of two methods for providing local anaesthesia of the tympanic membrane for the purpose of inserting a grommet. The methods compared were the application of EMLA (Eutectic Mixture of Local Anaesthetics) cream and the use of iontophoresis. Both methods seem to provide a satisfactory level of local anaesthesia. It was felt that where multiple procedures were to be performed in one outpatient session the use of EMLA cream might be a more efficient technique.

Titanium grommets have been promoted as having the advantage of a slower extrusion rate than other types of ventilation tube. A prospective trial was therefore designed to compare the function and extrusion rates of these grommets with those of the widely used Shepard design of Teflon grommet in a single group of patients. Thirty-one children had one type of grommet inserted in one ear and the other type in the opposite ear. After eight months there were significantly more Titanium grommets still functioning (p < 0.05) but after 12 and after 16 months there was no significant difference in the extrusion rates of the two types of grommet. There was a higher incidence of infection with granulation tissue formation around the Titanium grommet. Accordingly it is concluded that the extra expense of the Titanium grommet is not justified, particularly as the long-term effects of these grommets on the tympanic membrane are not known.

Treatment of otitis media with effusion is focused on reaeration of the middle ear cavity. In achieving longterm aeration, the insertion of ventilation tubes that have a long duration of stay can be beneficial. The results are presented of a trial in which the Goode T-tube was compared with the Armstrong tube. Fifteen children were treated between 1981 and 1986 with a T-tube in one ear and a conventional tube in the other. The results are different with regard to duration of stay in the tympanic membrane. Re-insertions were necessary in 47 per cent in the Armstrong group and in 20 per cent in the T-tube group. Otorrhoea occurred in 20 per cent of the Armstrong and 13 per cent of the T-tube intubated ears. A persistent perforation was present in 6 per cent of the ears in both groups. It is concluded that the Goode T-tube is indicated primarily in cases when long-term ventilation is needed.

One hundred and four cases of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible following irradiation of head and neck cancer are reported.

Conservative management for ORN failed in all cases. Indications of hemimandibulectomy included intractable pain, severe trismus, pathological fracture, oro-cutaneous fistula and persistent exposure of bone.

Surgical approach was intra-oral in 100 cases and extra-oral in four. Immediate soft tissue reconstructions were carried out in 20 per cent cases. Post-operative complications included minor sepsis (8.6 per cent), major sepsis (2.9 per cent), haemorrhage (2.9 per cent) and fistula (3.8 per cent). Major complications occurred only in patients treated exclusively by external irradiation at doses equal to or higher than 65 Gy.

Relief from pain and trismus was obtained and normal swallowing was established following radical surgery.

Benign primary tumours of the facial nerve are uncommon. A slowly progressive facial palsy should be considered the result of a nerve tumour untilproven otherwise.

Improvements in diagnostic imaging techniques of the temporal bone have increased the possibility of a correct pre-operative diagnosis but facial nerve tumours remain a frequently ignored or misdiagnosed entity as a consequence of their subtle and protean clinical manifestations.

A series of 12 cases of primary facial nerve tumours is presented. The clinical features, diagnostic modalities and treatment are discussed in relation to a review of the literature.