<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Globally diphtheria has been showing a declining trend due to effective childhood vaccination programmes. However, inadequate healthcare delivery systems and other social factors have led to diphtheria re-emerging and remaining endemic in many regions of the world. Securing airway by emergency tracheostomy plays a pivotal role in the management of laryngeal diphtheria in addition to antitoxin.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a retrospective study conducted in Department of ENT, Maulana Azad Medical College from January 2015 to December 2018. The study included cases of diphtheria with stridor or impending airway obstruction. The information collected included age, gender, socioeconomic status and immunization status. The month of presentation was noted to establish the seasonal trend of the infection. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Maximum number of cases was in the age group of 3 to 9 years (62.3% of total cases). Male children predominated over female children with overall sex ratio of 3:1. Most of the cases presenting to us were partially immunized (51.8%) or unimmunized (44.6%). The maximum number of cases was reported in the month of August to November (96 out of 122 cases). Emergency tracheostomy was done in 86.9% (106 out of 122 cases).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Diphtheria still continues to be a major public health issue in India. Early recognition and treatment are necessary to prevent morbidities and mortalities. Tracheostomy is a speedy and efficient lifesaving procedure in the management of laryngeal diphtheria.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>
<p class="abstract">Castleman’s disease (CD) usually presents as localized or systemic lymphadenopathy or as an extra nodal mass. The usual site of presentation are mediastinum, retroperitoneum, axilla and mesentery. Only 3 cases of CD have been reported in retro pharyngeal space. We report a case of 20 year old male patient with retropharyngeal mass. He presented with difficulty in swallowing, change in voice and respiratory distress. The mass was removed in-toto transorally after performing elective tracheostomy. The histopathological findings were consistent with hyaline vascular type of CD. He was decannulated after two day and postoperative period was uneventful. Postoperative CT imaging confirmed the complete excision of tumor and patient is on follow up, with no signs of recurrence. The presentation of tumour in the retropharyngeal space which is a rare site of occurrence add to the uniqueness of this case. Unicentric CD has an excellent prognosis and surgery is the management of choice. Its clinical features, histological subtypes, treatment modalities and prognosis are discussed.</p>
<p>Schwannoma is a nerve sheath tumour that usually presents as an asymptomatic lump. We report a case where facial pain was the only symptom of the tumour. Surgical excision was done. Intraoperative findings and Horner syndrome confirmed the diagnosis of cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma. Histopathology was also consistent with the diagnosis. The patient did well postoperatively.</p>
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