Acne is a common disorder in English adolescents and appears to have a considerable impact on emotional health in this age group. Low levels of acne knowledge and poor acne management are concerns that could be amenable to a school-based education programme.

Microsuction is a noisy procedure that is uncomfortable for some patients. However, it does not appear to be sufficiently noisy to produce a clinically detectable threshold shift. We would suggest that it is safe but that the use of non-suction methods or a fine end may on occasion be preferable to improve patient comfort.

We report on a case of a 36-year-old lady who presented with large, painful soft-tissue swellings of both Achilles tendons. MRI demonstrated fusiform enlargement involving the Achilles tendons bilaterally. The tendons returned heterogeneous signal intensity characterised by a diffuse reticulated appearance. The right tendon mass was treated with a wide marginal excision and Achilles tendon reconstruction. The histology confirmed Achilles tendon xanthoma. Further metabolic investigation revealed the patient to have a rare autosomal recessive condition called cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). Her brother was also affected. CTX is easily treatable if diagnosed early, and should be suspected in patients presenting with bilateral Achilles tendon xanthomas and normal plasma lipid levels.

Coblation tonsillectomy is a relatively new technique, the results of which need auditing within practising units, to justify its continued usage. * The National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit provides an excellent source of data for individual units to compare their results to. * This retrospective audit of 391 coblation tonsillectomies shows that our units haemorrhage and return to theatre rates are similar to the National rates for cold steel & ties data. * Resolution of training issues and patient selection may lead to increased use of this technique.

Tonsillectomy resulted in altered tongue sensation in 28 per cent of our study group. Bipolar diathermy dissection was significantly more likely to cause altered sensation than cold steel dissection. Ninety-six per cent of these disturbances resolved by three months, all by one year. Possible alteration of tongue sensation should be discussed whilst obtaining consent for tonsillectomy.