Scanning electronmicroscopy and transmission electronmicroscopy were used to study the normal and gentamicin-damaged guinea-pig organ of Corti. Scanning electronmicroscopy was principally used to locate the lesion and quantify the cell loss but also permitted a detailed study to be made of the degenerative surface changes. However, since consistent surface changes are not seen until intracellular degeneration has progressed to a great extent, scanning electronmicroscopy is not a suitable technique for identifying early degenerative changes in the sensory cells of the organ of Corti. Consequently, before conclusions may be drawn about the absence of pathological changes in the neuro-epithelium it also should be examined using transmission electron-microscopy.

A FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD man known to have Behçet's disease (two major and two minor symptoms) (Mason and Baines, 1969) presented with dysphagia, hoarseness and regurgitation of food. This was subsequently found to be due to a tracheo-oesophageal fistula consequent upon an area of Behçet's ulceration in the oesophagus. The fistula was excised, the defects in the trachea and oesophagus repaired, and the patient's recovery was uneventful.