Concha bullosa of the inferior turbinate: an unusual cause of nasal obstruction

Turbinate pneumatisation, also known as concha bullosa, refers to the existence of an air cell inside the turbinate. While pneumatization of the middle and superior turbinates are common, the presence of pneumatization of the inferior turbinate, otherwise known as an inferior concha bullosa is very rare. Herewith, a case is presented of bilateral hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates associated with a left inferior concha bullosa.

The "M" shaped microflap for treatment of complex Reinke's Space Oedema of the vocal cords

Reinke's Space Oedema is characterized by a subepithelial collection of fluid and pseudo-myxomatous tissue within the lamina propria superficialis of the vocal cord. We have observed, in a number of cases, the phenomenon of bilobular and/or centrally located Reinke's Space Oedema. Bilobular oedema occurs when the sub-epithelial oedema is organised as a double bulge of the vocal cord in the superoinferior plane due to adhesions or sulcus at the free edge of the vocal cord. Herewith, a simple, yet easily reproducible, modified technique is presented of an "M" shaped microflap for the treatment of bilobular and also centrally located Reinke's Space Oedema of the vocal cords, using Carbon Dioxide laser and/or cold micro instruments allowing maintenance of an appropriate amount of lamina propria superficialis and easy coverage of the potentially exposed part of the ligament. Our technique involves removal of the upper bulge of the affected vocal cord with Carbon Dioxide laser or cold instruments, followed by an "M" shaped remodelling of the microflap so that the mucosa can be effectively draped over the lamina propria superficialis and vocal ligament.

Rhabdomyosarcoma: a rare laryngeal neoplastic entity

A case of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the larynx is presented, which is extremely rare in a laryngeal site. The symptomatology and macroscopic aspect of the neoplasm can simulate the presence of other neoplastic variants of the larynx, and, for this reason, histological examination must be associated with immunohistochemistry for correct diagnosis and treatment.