Anaphylactic reactions on the beach: a cause for concern?

Background: The commonest causes of anaphylaxis include hymenoptera bites, high-risk food, exercise, and jellyfish bites and may often be encountered on the beach. Therefore, millions of visitors at popular touristic locations are exposed to increased risk of anaphylactic reactions every year. At least 35 cases of acute allergic reactions requiring medical attention took place on the beaches of Crete, Greece during the previous summer.

Ectopic internal carotid artery presenting as an oropharyngeal mass.

Ectopic internal carotid artery (ICA) is a very rare variation. The major congenital abnormalities of the ICA can be classified as agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia, and they can be unilateral or bilateral. Anomalies of the neck artery may be vascular neoplasms or ectopic position.

Non-Candida albicans Candida mediastinitis of odontogenic origin in a diabetic patient.

Descending mediastinitis occurs as a complication of oropharyngeal or cervical infections and its delayed diagnosis and treatment are associated with high mortality. A rare case of an odontogenic infection in a diabetic patient, complicated by Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei parapharyngeal space infection, descending mediastinitis and aspiration pneumonia is described. Isolate identification was based on colonial and microscopic morphological characteristics and carbohydrate assimilation test results.

Tonsillectomy with thermal welding technology using the TLS(2) thermal ligating shear.

Objective: To introduce and assess a new method of tonsillectomy with thermal welding technology (TWT) using the thermal ligating shear (TLS(2)), in pediatric population.

Method: TWT provides a new surgical instrument that combines heat and pressure to simultaneously coagulate and divide tissue. Among the headpieces available for the TWT generator, the TLS(2) handpiece was selected.

Nonmicrosurgical reconstruction of the auricle after traumatic amputation due to human bite.

Background: Traumatic auricular amputation due to human bite is not a common event. Nonetheless, it constitutes a difficult challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. Microsurgery can be performed in some cases, but most microsurgical techniques are complex and their use can only be advocated in specialized centers.

Ligasure versus cold knife tonsillectomy.

Objective: To assess parameters related to ligasure tonsillectomy (LT) versus cold knife tonsillectomy (CKT) procedure.

Study Design: Prospective randomized study.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 200 consecutive adult patients undergoing tonsillectomy.