Bilateral congenital absence of the stapes superstructure in two siblings.

Middle ear ossicle malformations are an uncommon event. Among them, the congenital absence of the stapes is a very rare condition that is seldom described in the literature. We report the cases of two women, aged 19 and 22 , who presented with a long history of conductive deafness.

Microbial contamination on beef and sheep carcases in South Australia.

A total of 523 chilled beef and lamb carcases were sampled from four abattoirs and 13 very small plants (VSPs) in South Australia during March 2002 in order to develop a microbiological profile of meat produced for domestic consumption within the State. Aerobic viable counts (AVCs) and Escherichia coli counts were obtained from samples taken by sponge-sampling the muscle-adipose tissue at sites designated for each species in the Microbiological Guidelines to the Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Meat for Human Consumption (identical with those of the USA Pathogen Reduction: hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) systems: final rule). On beef carcases (n=159) mean log AVC/cm(2) was 1.

[Laryngeal tuberculosis: study of 11 cases].

We report 11 patients with laryngeal tuberculosis seen in our hospital, January 1990 to July 2000. Eight were men and all cases presented with dysphonia and/or disphagia. In 8 pulmonary tuberculosis was associated.

[Chordoma of the ethmoidal sinus. A case report].

Chordomas are dysembryogenic tumors originating from the notochordal process. The case of a 9-month-old male infant with involvement of the ethmoidal sinus and anterior fossa is reported. These tumors are rare in ENT practice and in children arise in the clivus.

[Outpatient surgery in pediatric ENT].

Adenotonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure. For many patients, outpatient adenotonsillectomy is safe and cost-effective. During the 1993-1994 school year, 365 patients were operated.