A BRIEF review of cranio-facial fibro-osseous lesions in given and 15 cases of fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma are presented with clinical, radiological and histomorphological findings. After histological verification of the fibro-osseous nature of the process, 5 lesions were diagnosed on a radiological basis as fibrous dysplasia exhibiting diffuse (blending) margins, while the diagnosis of ossifying fibroma was given to 10 radiologically sharply-demarcated lesions. Both groups of lesions presented the same histomorphological features, although to a varying degree. Spheroidal calcifications, however, were identified in ossifying fibroma only, but not in all of these. Thus, the differential diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia versus ossifying fibroma rests on a radiological creiterion after the histopathologist has verified the fibro-isseiys nature of a lesion. The observation times varied from 1 ½ to 34 years. Two cases of fibrous dysplasia and 3 cases of ossifying fibroma recurred. In one case of fibrous dysplasia an osteosarcoma developed 33 years after irradiation. Pain was a common symptom in the present material.

AN analysis of 110 tracheostomies done over a period of 4½ years in a teaching hospital in a developing country is presented in this paper. It will be interesting to note that upper airway obstruction leading to tracheostomy no longer holds the supreme position it used to hold only a short while ago. The main indication for the operation in this study has been—TETANUS. It is surmised that—in the near future—HEAD INJURY is going to be the prime indication for this operation.