Multiple benign strictures of the oesophagus in the paediatric age-group--modified technique of antegrade dilatation.

Accidental ingestion of strong acids and alkalines still remains the commonest cause of benign strictures of the oesophagus in our country, particularly in children from the poor socio-economic strata, who are left alone to fend for themselves. Once the stricture is well-formed, repeated antegrade dilatations are required in order to dilate the lumen gradually. The procedure is done with the utmost care and gentleness in order to avoid rupture of the cicatricial wall of the oesophagus.

Vascular hamartoma of the paranasal sinuses.

A 12-year-old male child had spontaneous, recurrent bouts of profuse bleeding from the nose for 15 days. On examination of the nose a purplish polypoidal mass, which bled at touch filled the entire right nasal cavity. On lateral rhinotomy, a soft, greyish, cheesy mass was found, choking the maxillary, frontal, ethmoidal sinuses and the nasal cavity on the right side.

Granulomatous osteomyelitis of the maxillary sinus.

A case of granulomatous osteomyelitis of the maxilla, probably due to tuberculosis is reported, and the literature reviewed. Excision of the diseased tissue with antitubercular treatment forms the most effective line of treatment.

Embryonal rhabdosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid.

Two cases of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, arising from the middle ear, are described. It is a rare mesenchymal tumour of childhood, with a very poor prognosis. The literature is briefly reviewed and the difficulties encountered in diagnosis are outlined.

Hamartomas of the nose.

Three cases of hamartomas of the nose, very rare conditions in otolaryngology are reported. According to the Willis (1953) classification two of these cases, belonged to the angiomatous, and the third one to the lipomatous, group of hamartomas.