Promontory drilling in stapedectomy: an anatomical study.

Background: Anatomical variants such as an overhanging facial nerve or promontory can impede access to the footplate during stapedectomy. Drilling away bone from the cochlear promontory may be required. In the case of a floating or depressed footplate, it has been recommended that a "pothole" be drilled in the inferior margin of the oval window.

Tuberculous mastoiditis: when is surgery indicated?

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a rare cause of mastoiditis, but diagnosis is often delayed, with potentially serious results. We present the case of a 7-year-old child who failed to improve even once the diagnosis was made and appropriate medical treatment initiated. At mastoidectomy, a bony sequestrum was found which had not been evident on CT scanning.