Hidrocystoma of the external auditory canal: a case report.

Background: Apocrine hydrocystomas arising in the external auditory canal are very rare. In this report a clinical case of apocrine hydrocystoma located in the cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal is presented.

Case Presentation: A 64-year-old Caucasian female patient presented with a solitary nodule, located in the outer part of the external ear canal after repeated episodes of external otitis.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis presented as bilateral otitis media and mastoiditis.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease that may affect multiple organs. The etiology of LCH remains unclear to date. It is currently believed that clonal accumulation and proliferation of CD1a-positive Langerhans cells are causative.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I)- and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)-related angioedema: a neglected issue in daily practice in Greece.

Several reports on angioedema (AE) related to the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) have been published recently. This study reports on the experience gained at the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Clinic of the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete. A retrospective chart review of the patients admitted to this clinic, in a 42-month period (1999-2003), and discharged with a diagnosis ENT code for AE was performed (14 eligible patients).

Pattern of parotid gland tumors on Crete, Greece: a retrospective study of 131 cases.

Background: Salivary gland tumors constitute a highly heterogeneous group. There are few large epidemiological studies of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors in Greece. The aim of the present study was to define the pattern of parotid gland neoplasms on the island of Crete.

Epidemiologic profile of otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorders in a tertiary hospital unit in Greece: a challenge for general practitioners?

Background: In Greece, primary care is still developing. The aim of this study was to define the epidemiologic profile of common otorhinolaryngological, head and neck disorders in order to help general practitioners to deal with them in a primary care future.

Methods: A total of 6771 patients attended the Otorhinolaryngology emergency department of the University General Hospital of Heraklion (Crete), between January and December 2004.

Oral mucosal melanoma: a malignant trap.

Oral mucosal melanomas are highly malignant tumors. The 'chameleonic' presentation of a mainly asymptomatic condition, the rarity of these lesions, the poor prognosis and the necessity of a highly specialized treatment are factors that should be seriously considered by the involved health provider. We present the case of a 75-year-old man who was referred to the Ear, Nose and Throat department.

Malignant myoepithelioma arising from recurrent pleomorphic adenoma of the soft palate.

Malignant myoepithelioma is a rare salivary gland neoplasm that can arise either de novo or within a pre-existing pleomorphic adenoma. We report a case of malignant myoepithelioma arising from a pleomorphic adenoma of the soft palate. A 70-year-old woman presented in our department with a very large tumor of the soft palate.