Holmium: YAG Laser-Assisted Removal of a Lamb Bone Impacted in the Upper Oesophagus

This article reports an innovative and unprecedented use of Holmium: YAG laser in the extraction of a foreign body impacted in the upper oesophagus without complications. Hence, Holmium-YAG laser can be a safe, efficient and successful aid to fragment the impacted foreign bodies to assist in their removal.

Skull Base Mucormycosis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

To demonstrate the affection of skull base by mucormycosis in an immunocompetent individual. Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection principally seen in immunocompromised individuals, but recently being increasingly recognized in otherwise healthy individuals. Skull base involvement secondary to otogenic nidus, mimicking otitis media was rarely reported. A 34 year-old male, an otherwise healthy patient presented with facial nerve palsy followed by trismus, neck swelling and neck stiffness. Radical mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty and Facial nerve decompression along with Endoscopic guided debridement of sinuses and pterygopalatine fossa followed by medical treatment for 14 weeks. Facial nerve functioning, dry ear canal and relief from other symptoms. Surgical debridement and post op Anti fungal treatment improved the facial nerve function to House brackmann grade-II and also provided relief from trismus and stiffness and improved the overall general condition of the patient. Mucor is a saprophytic organism, which can cause extensive progression, regardless of the immune status. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the very few rare cases that have been reported in the context of skull base mucormycosis in immunocompetent individuals. Surgical debridement followed by anti fungal therapy continues to remain the mainstay of treatment.

Removal of sub-mucosal foreign body (metal wire) from the pharynx using image intensifier

It is well known how difficult it is to localize a foreign body in the sub-mucosal tissues. This is a report of a male who swallowed a metal wire which lodged in the pharyngeal sub-mucosal tissue. The foreign body was localized using an image intensifier and removed successfully.

Spherical foreign bodies in the oesophagus removed by balloon angiographic catheter

Two children aged three and seven years presented to the department of Otolaryngology with total dysphagia following the accidental swallowing of a steel ball bearing and a plastic ball. These rare spherical foreign bodies were removed successfully by oesophagoscopy under general anaesthesia using an innovative method involving a balloon angiographic catheter.