To flex or not to flex: oesophageal soft food bolus obstruction in the modern age.

Background: Oesophageal soft food bolus obstruction is a common presentation to emergency departments. Often these patients are given medication with little evidence of efficacy. Although many cases self-resolve, some require removal of the obstruction.

Predictors of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia: a systematic and narrative review.

Objective: Hypocalcaemia is the most common complication after total or completion thyroidectomy. This study assesses recent evidence on predictive factors for post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia in order to identify the patients affected and aid prevention.

Method: Two authors independently assessed articles and extracted data to provide a narrative synthesis.

Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty for Eustachian tube dysfunction: report of long-term outcomes in a UK population.

Background: Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty is a surgical management option for Eustachian tube dysfunction; it has shown promising results in studies worldwide, but has had limited uptake in the UK. This study reports long-term outcomes for patients offered balloon Eustachian tuboplasty for chronic dilatory and baro-challenge-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction, and describes practical experience gained from its implementation.

Methods: Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty was conducted in 25 patients (36 ears) with Eustachian tube dysfunction over three years.

Primary versus secondary tracheoesophageal puncture: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Tracheoesophageal puncture represents the 'gold standard' for voice restoration following laryngectomy. Tracheoesophageal puncture can be undertaken primarily during laryngectomy or in a separate secondary procedure. There is no current consensus on which approach is superior.

Does intranasal steroid spray technique affect side effects and compliance? Results of a patient survey.

Background: Intranasal steroid sprays are fundamental in the medical management of inflammatory rhinological conditions. Side effects are common, but these may be related to the method of application rather than the medication itself.

Methods: A survey was distributed to patients using intranasal steroid sprays at the ENT out-patient clinic at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary over three months.

Laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy for superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a patient with Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is rare cause of intestinal obstruction. We report an unusual case of a patient with Parkinson's disease who developed superior mesenteric artery syndrome and discuss her management including laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis.

Case Presentation: A 78-year-old patient with advanced Parkinson's disease presented with significant malnutrition, vomiting and post-prandial abdominal pain.

Macrocytosis and sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a case report.

Background: Although other blood dyscrasias are known to cause sudden sensorineural hearing loss, macrocytosis has not previously been implicated in the absence of another causative agent.

Case Report: We present a case of bilateral sequential sudden sensorineural hearing loss in a patient with significant macrocytosis (mean corpuscular volume at presentation 124 fl) secondary to alcohol-induced liver dysfunction.

Conclusion: A possible pathophysiological mechanism linking macrocytosis and sudden sensorineural hearing loss was identified, suggesting areas for further investigation.

Temporal artery biopsies: do they make the cut?

Background And Aims: Temporal artery biopsy is the gold standard investigation for giant cell arteritis. Guidelines recommend that specimens should measure no less than 1 cm and ideally more than 2 cm in length, as this influences the likelihood of biopsy positivity. This audit investigates the extent to which temporal artery biopsies acquired in our hospital meet these guidelines.

Should the duration of head bandaging be reduced after pinnaplasty? A systematic review.

Background: It is common practice to use head bandages for 7-10 days following pinnaplasty. However, head bandages are often troublesome for patients and can lead to serious complications.

Method: A systematic review was performed to evaluate the use of head bandages after pinnaplasty.