Endoscopic dilatation sinus surgery (FEDS) versus functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis: a pilot study.

The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy of functional endoscopic dilatation sinus surgery (FEDS) with functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis in patients who failed medical therapy. We enrolled 24 patients suffering with chronic rhinosinusitis, who failed medical treatment and were proceeding to surgery, in a prospective, randomized controlled pilot study carried out between January and December 2008 following ethical committee approval. All patients completed sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT)-20 questionnaires and underwent saccharine test preoperatively and 24 weeks post operatively.

Evaluation of surgeons' marking of excision margins for superficial facial skin cancer lesions.

Introduction: We established a series of exercises that evaluated surgeons' marking of excision margins, and we sought to identify factors influencing such marking.

Methods: Twenty-four participants were asked to draw preset margins (3, 4, 5, 8 or 10 mm) on a series of life-size images representing noncosmetically and cosmetically sensitive facial sites, and also to draw circles of set diameters (3, 5 and 8 mm) on white paper. Margins were measured with vernier callipers calibrated to 0.

Do gynaecology outpatients use the Internet to seek health information? A questionnaire survey.

Background: The Internet is a rich source of medical information and the general opinion among doctors is that the number of patients attending clinics with information from a web search is increasing. The purpose of this study was to assess the demographics of those who access the Internet and their attitudes towards the quality and usefulness of information provided by the Internet. This study also looked at the various sources of health information and the satisfaction rates.

An unusual case of intratracheal thyroid.

Intratracheal thyroid is a rare condition. It presents with symptoms of tracheal obstruction and may mimic adult onset asthma. We present a case and discuss the difficulties in diagnosis and management.