The first report of a case of verrucous carcinoma from Africa is presented. Problems of diagnosis and treatment are highlighted and the need for co-operation between the clinician and the pathologist for an accurate diagnosis is emphasized.

SotradecolR—sodium tetradecyl sulfate—is a selerosing agent which has been used for years in the treatment of varicose veins, haemorrhoids and haemangiomata. Two cases of large haemangioma of the cheek are presented. Becuase surgical treatment posed many difficulties we decided to treat with sodium tetradecylsulfate. Treatment was successful.

A 71-year-old female presented with a midline neck mass. The clinical impression was that of a thyroglossal cyst but preoperative assessment suggested a solid lesion, possibly malignant. The mass was removed surgically using the Sistrunk technique and shown pathologically to be a mixed papillary-follicular carcinoma of the thyroid with no cystic elements. Clinically and radiologically the thyroid was normal and thyroidectomy was not performed. This management is discussed along with a brief review of the relevant literature on the pathology and treatment of similar lesions.

A case of haemangiopericytoma of the submandibular gland is reported. The clinical, surgical and histological features are described.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia is a rare benign condition affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the head and neck. Superficial (intradermal) lesions frequently affect the external ear and such a case presenting to an otolaryngologist is described. Clinically the disease is characterized by single or multiple plum-coloured nodules or plaques which are often itchy and may bleed with mild trauma. Histologically the lesions are composed of proliferating capillary vessels associated with a heavy inflammatory infiltrate including eoosinophils and mast cells.

The cause remains obscure. The lesions often persist for many years and may regress spontaneously. Several forms of treatment have been used, including cryosurgery, curettage and diathermy, radiotherapy and intralesional steroid injections. In this case the Argon laser was employed.