Oropharyngeal cancer: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines.

This is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. There has been significant debate in the management of oropharyngeal cancer in the last decade, especially in light of the increased incidence, clarity on the role of the human papilloma virus in this disease and the treatment responsiveness of the human papilloma virus positive cancers. This paper discusses the evidence base pertaining to the management of oropharyngeal cancer and provides recommendations on management for this group of patients receiving cancer care.

Free jejunum reconstruction of upper esophageal defects.

The free jejunum has become an important method for reconstructing extensive oncologic defects of the upper esophagus and pharynx. The advantages of a single-staged reconstruction with a low incidence of morbidity have generally outweighed criticisms such as the requirement for a laparotomy and poor voice quality. The aim of the study was to present the technique and outcomes of free jejunal reconstruction of the upper esophagus in 31 consecutive cases.

Holmium:YAG laser: 12-year study of indications for use and outcomes in benign and malignant otolaryngological conditions.

Background: We present the largest recorded case series of holmium:YAG laser use in otolaryngology. This laser's hand-held delivery device is easier to manipulate compared with other ENT lasers, and its pulsed delivery mode gives it enhanced cutting and coagulation properties.

Methods And Results: We conducted a 12-year, retrospective study of holmium:YAG laser use in a tertiary referral centre.

Internal carotid artery ectasia: the value of imaging studies prior to biopsy of a retropharyngeal mass.

The presence of retropharyngeal tissue mass often raises the suspicion of malignancy, especially in elderly patients. This prompts urgent biopsy to investigate tissue histology. We discuss a case where this is contraindicated as the retropharyngeal mass was illustrated by CT scanning and confirmed with MRI to be a tortuous coursing internal carotid artery.

Case report--an iatrogenic foreign body in the airway.

We report a case of an iatrogenic foreign body in the airway. An 80-year-old patient who had undergone major head and neck surgery several weeks early presented as an inpatient with a persistent cough and recurrent chest infections. Fibreoptic nasendoscopy revealed the presence of a nasopharyngeal airway sitting vertically in the airway.