Clinical utility of a functional lumen imaging probe in management of dysphagia following head and neck cancer therapies.

Chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) with/without laryngectomy commonly causes dysphagia. Pharyngoesophageal junction (PEJ) stricturing is an important contributor. We aimed to validate a functional lumen imaging probe (the EndoFLIP system) as a tool for quantitating pretreatment PEJ distensibility and treatment-related changes in HNC survivors with dysphagia and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EndoFLIP-derived distensibility in detecting PEJ strictures.

The role of endoscopic ultrasound in biliary obstruction.

The role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the diagnosis of biliary obstruction is well established, and emerging evidence suggests it may also play a therapeutic role. Differentiating between benign and malignant causes of biliary obstruction can be challenging, but EUS is a crucial tool in the armamentarium of the physician. Evolving technologies such as elastography and contrast enhancement may further supplement the diagnostic abilities of EUS.

Multifocal cutaneous mucormycosis complicating polymicrobial wound infections in a tsunami survivor from Sri Lanka.

A man injured in the tsunami of Dec 26, 2004, returned to Sydney for management of his soft-tissue injuries. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, surgical wound debridement, and vigilant wound care, his condition worsened. Muscle and fat necrosis developed in a previously debrided thigh wound, and necrotising lesions arose from previous abrasions.