Conservative management of Gradenigo's syndrome in a child.

Gradenigo's syndrome, the triad of suppurative otitis media, abducens nerve palsy and pain in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, remains a rare complication of otitis media. A case in a paediatric patient is described, successfully managed conservatively. There is little evidence to support increased use of antibiotics in acute otitis media to prevent this complication.

An alternative use of the surgical mask for the protection of healthcare workers managing epistaxis.

Epistaxis has a reported prevalence of 10-12 per cent in the general population and is thus one of the commonest emergencies in Otolaryngology. We suggest that the patient uses a surgical mask to prevent blood spray during epistaxis management. Utilizing the described technique we have found that protective clothing worn by the healthcare professional is consistently 'blood-free' at the end of the procedure.

Epithelioid sarcoma with metastatic spread to the tongue.

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare tumour that seldom presents to the otolaryngologist. It typically occurs in the extremities of young adolescents; however, it has the capability of metastasizing, often to the lungs or skin. The diagnosis is by histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry.