An audit of paediatric referrals to the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (2009-2014).

Aim: To determine the effect of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention Programme on the age of referral and implantation of prelingually deaf children in the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme.

Method: A retrospective review of data collected prospectively from March 2003 to August 2014.

Results: 123 children were referred to the programme with prelingual deafness in the time period.

Glass in the frontal sinus: 28-year delayed presentation.

Reports of delayed presentation of foreign bodies in the frontal sinus are infrequent and likely to become rarer with the widespread availability of computed tomography in the last 2 decades. We present a case in which glass from a road traffic injury was found in the frontal sinus, causing symptoms of frontal sinusitis 28 years after the initial injury. We also present a review of the literature.

Head and neck fascia and compartments: no space for spaces.

An accurate understanding of the arrangement of cervical fascia and its associated compartments is essential for differential diagnosis, predicting the spread of disease, and surgical management. The purpose of this detailed review is to summarize the anatomic, clinical, and radiological literature to determine what is known about the arrangement of cervical fascia and to highlight controversies and consensus. The current terminology used to describe cervical fascia and compartments is replete with confusing synonyms and inconsistencies, creating important interdisciplinary differences in understanding.

Cervical fascia: a terminological pain in the neck.

Although understanding the cervical fascia and its arrangement is an important part of anatomical, surgical and radiological training, it is inconsistently described in textbooks, which makes its study challenging and interdisciplinary communication confusing. This review examines the recommended textbooks for trainees of these disciplines in order to identify areas of agreement and controversy. Not only were the terms used variably between texts, but also key aspects of the anatomical descriptions associated with similar terms differed, contributing further to the confusion.

Early oral intake after reconstruction with a free flap for cancer of the oral cavity.

To allow healing of the surgical wound patients are traditionally given nothing by mouth for 6-12 days after resection and reconstruction of a cancer of the oral cavity. Our aim was to assess the impact of introducing oral intake within 6 days postoperatively. Consecutive patients who had resection and reconstruction of a cancer of the oral cavity with a free flap within an 8-year period were selected from the head and neck database.

Button batteries: the worst case scenario in nasal foreign bodies.

Aim: To present four cases of button battery nasal foreign bodies that were referred to an otolaryngology department over a 6-month period.

Methods: Four cases are presented and discussed with a review of current literature.

Results: Four children aged 2-4 years who were referred to an otolaryngology department over about 6 months were found to have a button battery in their nose.