Unilateral tonsil enlargement in children and adults: is routine histology tonsillectomy warranted? A multi-centre series of 323 patients.

Background: This study aimed to establish whether histology tonsillectomy is justified for unilateral tonsil enlargement.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of histology tonsillectomies in three health organisations over five years, with strict exclusion criteria, focusing on benign-appearing unilateral tonsil enlargement.

Results: Ninety paediatric and 233 adult cases were included.

Hypocalcaemia following laryngectomy: prevalence and risk factors.

Objectives: To establish the prevalence of hypocalcaemia following laryngectomy and demonstrate that total thyroidectomy is a risk factor.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included all patients who underwent total laryngectomy from 1st January 2006 to 1st August 2017. Exclusion criteria were: pre-operative calcium derangement, previous thyroid or parathyroid surgery, concurrent glossectomy, pharyngectomy, or oesophagectomy.

How reliably can computed tomography predict thyroid invasion prior to laryngectomy?

Objectives/hypothesis: There is little evidence to support the removal of thyroid tissue during total laryngectomy. Although oncological control of the tumor is the priority, thyroidectomy can lead to hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism. This study aimed to test the usefulness of preoperative computed tomography in predicting histological invasion of the thyroid.

The role of transnasal oesophagoscopy in the management of globus pharyngeus and non-progressive dysphagia.

Introduction Transnasal oesophagoscopy is a relatively new method of examining the upper aerodigestive tract via the nasal passage as an outpatient procedure without the need for sedation. It has been shown to be a well tolerated, safe and accurate technique, that can therefore be used in the investigation of patients thought to have globus pharyngeus and other non sinister causes of dysphagia. Methods A total of 150 consecutive patients undergoing transnasal oesophagoscopy were analysed retrospectively.