A 15-year experience: intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay for the management of primary hyperparathyroidism in a UK endocrine surgical unit.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of first-time parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism using intraoperative PTH (IOPTH) assay in the light of the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for the management of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Method: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of a prospectively maintained database of endocrine surgery in a tertiary centre. Preoperative radiological localisation (concordance and accuracy), intraoperative PTH parameters and adjusted serum calcium at minimum 6-month follow-up were analysed.

Subglottic stenosis masquerading as asthma in a young adult: an overlooked and delayed diagnosis.

An otherwise fit young woman presented with a 10-year history of non-progressive wheeze and 'noisy breathing'. She had previously been diagnosed with teenage-onset asthma but had been unresponsive to inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. A dysfunctional breathing disorder had been considered a possible diagnosis by several general practitioners, and there were no features to suggest systemic conditions.

Simulated laryngoscopy with supraglottic high-pressure source ventilation: an in vitro study of tracheal airflow to determine optimal positioning of laryngoscope and jet ventilation cannula.

Purpose: To investigate how variations in positioning of laryngoscope and location of jet cannula on the laryngoscope body influence tracheal airflow during simulated high-pressure source supraglottic (HPSV) jet ventilation laryngoscopy using an anatomical model.

Methods: A Broncho Boy Bronchoscopy model was modified to allow recording of tracheal airflow. A laryngoscope was suspended and positioned to simulate laryngoscopy.

Patulous nasolacrimal duct with air reflux: a complication of submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinate.

Background: Submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate is a widely practised procedure to improve the nasal airway when nasal obstruction is due to hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate. This paper reports a case of an unusual nasolacrimal complication following submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate, and reviews the relevant literature.Case reportA 33-year-old male patient developed a patulous nasolacrimal duct opening following submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinate.

A practical review of energy saving technology for ageing populations.

Fuel poverty is a critical issue for a globally ageing population. Longer heating/cooling requirements combine with declining incomes to create a problem in need of urgent attention. One solution is to deploy technology to help elderly users feel informed about their energy use, and empowered to take steps to make it more cost effective and efficient.