A case of relapsing polychondritis of the larynx and upper trachea is presented. We report the use of nebulized racemic ephedrine, as a new treatment modality of the life threatening airway oedema which characterizes acute exacerbations of this disease.

Four patients with cervical and mediastinal goitres were described. Routine investigation in these patients, including chest X-rays, oesophageal and tracheal X-rays and scintigraphy of the thyroid gland, failed to show significant changes over the years, or underestimated the true extent of the goitres. Three of the goitres caused severe mediastinal compression, evident only on computed tomography (CT) imaging, and requiring urgent surgery. The pros and cons of different diagnostic modalities for imaging cervical and mediastinal gotires are discussed, stressing the importance of CT imaging as exemplified in the cases presented.

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a rare lesion usually of the long bones, well documented in the literature. It is a cystic, osteolytic vascular tumour, replete with giant cells and fibrous septa, yet devoid of endothelial lining. It has been reported in the larynx and maxillary sinus. This appears to be the first report Qf an aneurysmal bone cyst occurring in the hyoid bone.

Invasion of the adventitia of the carotid artery by tumour is not demonstrated by contrast CT scanning. We report a case in which B-mode ultrasound was successfully used to demonstrate this.