Fifty-six individuals with acromegaly referred for pituitary surgery were studied to determine any relationship between acromegaly and sensorineural or conductive hearing loss. Compared to a matched population control sample, no significant difference between the acromegalics and controls has been found, either for air conduction or for bone conduction. The differences between these findings and those published previously are discussed, and reasons proposed to explain the discrepancies.

The relationship of tinnitus to pain is examined and a theoretical case made out for the possible use of acupuncture in the treatment of tinnitus. A double-blind cross-over controlled trial is described. The use of Visual Analogue Scales (V.A.S.) is discussed in this context. 35 per cent of patients described some benefit from the active treatment only, although we were unable to demonstrate this objectively. Statistical analysis of the group as a whole revealed no significant differences between placebo and active acupuncture treatment.

The authors have studied the anatomy of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve in its entirety on 40 fresh cadavers, and they have drawn the following conclusions: the nerve ramifies from the vagus immediately below the nodose ganglion or in the ganglion itself. The nerve splits into two branches approximately 1.5 cm below the ganglion nodosum. In four cases, both branches originated from the vagus itself. In one case, anastomosis of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve with the recurrent nerve was found. The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve is not usually severed at supraglottic laryngectomy but the nerve is at risk during neck dissections, resection of Zenker's diverticula and thyroidectomy. An accurate knowledge of its course should reduce the incidence of injury to the branches of the superior laryngeal nerve during surgery.

A report is presented of a patient with profound hearing impairment after eleven months' treatment with framycetin ear drops. It emphasizes the risk of prolonged use of these ear drops.

Osteomas of the frontal sinus are usually symptomless. When they enlarge they may produce pressure symptoms such as headaches. Small osteomas developing near the fronto-ethmoidal duct may interfere with the patency of the duct and impair the aeration of the sinus. This is a report of a case in which a small osteoma was found to be the cause of severe chronic headaches.