Stapedial reflex data were obtained from 11 myasthenic, 18 hyperthyroid and six hypothyroid patients. Data were studied with respect to reflex threshold, amplitude and decay. Elevated threshold, decreased amplitude, and high and low frequency reflex decay were observed in myasthenic and hyperthyroid patients. Hypothyroidism merely increases stapedial reflex amplitude but causes no significant threshold or decay changes.

The results of unilateral immediate tonsillectomy, as the routine treatment of peritonsillar abscess, were studies in 47 patients with no previous history of serious tonsillitis. The follow-up was carried out between three and four years after operation.

The incidence of tonsillitis in the contralateral tonsil remained unchanged and peritonsillar abscess did not occur in that tonsil. Symptoms of pharyngitis, periodic or chronic, were present in three patients only. This was found to be significantly lower than that found in the literature in a similar group of patients in whom bilateral immediate tonsillectomy had been performed.

The results are discussed and the authors recommend unilateral immediate tonsillectomy in cases of peritonsillar abscess in all patients with no previous history of serious tonsillitis, as this apparently prevents the troublesome side-effects of chronic pharyngitis.

Phonocephalography is the amplification and recording of sounds from the surface and cavities of the head. It is on trial for a simple, passive non-invasive diagnostic technique in tinnitus and intracranial angiology. This article presents the recordings of normal phonocephalography, i.e. the recording of normal sounds in the head.

This article presents the phonocephalographic data reported in one case of glomus jugulare tumour, representing local haemodynamic disturbances; and one case with an aortic lesion with pulsating tinnitus, representing systemic haemodynamic disturbances.

The records of 109 patients, presenting with functional voice disorder during the years 1977–1981, have been reviewed. The mean age was 45 years and the F: M ratio is 2: 1. Excess voice use was not obviously an aetiological factor. Sixty-one of the 109 patients (56 per cent) were cured by speech therapy, in that their voices returned to their pre-morbid state, and a further 28 (26 per cent) were improved by therapy; seven patients (6 per cent) did not improve and 13 (12 per cent) were lost to follow-up. Of the patients that were ‘cured’, 54 per cent were discharged after three months' treatment and 72 per cent after six months' treatment. Eight per cent required treatment for more than a year.

Two patients with synovial sarcomas of the pharynx and oesophagus respectively are reported and their clinical features are described. These tumours in the head and neck rarely metastasize to lymph nodes and their management is discussed.

Manifestations of schistosomiasis in otorhinolaryngology are rare. A review of the literature revealed only four cases.

The purpose of this paper is to document the second case of schistosomiasis of the larynx.