Escherichia coli positive infratentorial subdural empyema secondary to mastoiditis and underlying cholesteatoma.

Infratentorial subdural empyema is a neurosurgical emergency that is associated with an alarmingly high morbidity and mortality if appropriate management is delayed. It is an important differential to consider when confronted with a patient with a reduced Glasgow Coma Scale, focal neurology and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure in the presence of a head and neck infection. It is also important that the primary team managing these patients is aware of the many pathogens that may be involved, including Escherichia coli.

The evidence for reducing inferior turbinates.

Nasal obstruction is commonly due to enlargement of the inferior turbinate. This review discusses the pathophysiology of turbinate enlargement, the indications for, and methods and outcome of turbinate reduction. All techniques are successful but vary in their long-term efficacy, their propensity for complications and the degree to which they may adversely affect nasal function.

A prospective audit to look at the number of plain sinus x-rays requested via the radiology department.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is currently diagnosed on history-taking with nasendoscopic confirmation. Sinus x-rays are insensitive and non-specific but are still requested, particularly by primary care physicians. The rate of sinus x-rays can be reduced by informing GPs of current best practice guidelines.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of suspected extrinsic tracheobronchial compression due to vascular anomalies.

Aims: To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of children with suspected extrinsic tracheobronchial compression due to vascular anomalies.

Methods: Retrospective case note review in a tertiary referral centre. Twenty nine children who underwent dynamic laryngotracheobronchoscopy (DLTB) and were found to have a clinical suspicion of extrinsic tracheobronchial compression were evaluated.

Dimensional analysis - its role in our preoperative surgical planning of rhinoplasty.

With the advent of new reconstructive rhinoplasty techniques, we have the opportunity to correct a larger number of nasal deformities. Dimensional analysis using non-nasal references assists in identifying the abnormalities in a deformed nose. Analysis of 98 patients undergoing rhinoplasty plus or minus septal surgery was performed to identify the prevalent abnormalities with the help of the dimensional approach.