Chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base: treatment and outcome analysis in a consecutive case series of 24 patients.

Background: We present our 9-year consecutive case series of skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas from a UK tertiary referral centre, discussing treatments offered and outcomes. This was carried out to improve understanding around current treatment and to better inform the management of future patients.

Methods: Consecutive case series over a 9-year period (2007-2016).

Spontaneous neck haematoma.

A 66-year-old Caucasian woman presented with right-sided neck swelling and worsening pain for 5 days. There was no history of trauma, cough or excessive muscular strain. She was not on any anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs.

The surgical approach to retrosternal goiters: the role of computerized tomography.

Objective: To assess preoperative CT scans of patients with a retrosternal goiter, with an objective of identifying features that are likely to predict the need for sternotomy at operation.

Study Design And Setting: A retrospective review of clinical notes and CT scans of patients who underwent thyroidectomy for retrosternal goiter at a large district general hospital in the United Kingdom between 1998 and 2002.

Results: Extension of the goiter to the level of the aortic arch, particularly when combined with tracheal involvement or major vessel displacement, increases the likelihood of requiring median sternotomy.

Referral patterns in paediatric orbital cellulitis.

Objectives: Orbital cellulitis in children may result in severe visual morbidity and even mortality if not managed appropriately. The definitive management of orbital cellulitis is in the realms of the otolaryngologist, as the underlying pathology is associated with sinus disease in more than 90% of cases. Our observations suggest that there is a tendency for patients with suspected orbital cellulitis not to be referred promptly for otolaryngological opinion and management, which may result in adverse outcomes.