NK/T cell lymphoma is one of the most unique and rare forms of extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, mostly derived from natural killer cell lineages and occasionally cytotoxic T cell lines. Due to the non-specific presentation of NK/T cell lymphoma such as nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, and epistaxis, diagnosis is often an issue and can be misleading. Oronasal fistula following a non-healing ulcer on the soft palate, can be one of the clinical presentations of NK/T cell lymphoma. Here, we are reporting a rare case of NK/T cell lymphoma in a 32-year-old gentleman who presented with an oronasal fistula post tissue biopsy for a non-healing ulcer over the soft palate. The tissue biopsy of the soft palate mass was revealed as NK/T cell lymphoma and was staged as Stage1b after computed tomographic imaging revealed a local tumour invasion without sign of nodal involvement and no metastasis. The patient eventually started with the SMILE Protocol and responded well up to the date. The ulcer healed but the fistula persisted. Primary closure was planned by the oromaxillofacial surgery team after completion of chemotherapy.

Lymphomas are the second most common non-epithelial malignant tumour in the oral and maxillofacial region. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is more frequently diagnosed eventhough oral cavity involvement is less than 4% of all NHLs. Usually, the oral manifestation of NHL is secondary to the widespread involvement. Primary oral NHL is relatively rare and difficult to diagnose in clinical setting as it presents as local swelling, pain, discomfort and mimics pyogenic granuloma, periodontal disease, osteomyelitis and other malignancies. A chronic, solitary non-healing ulcerative lesion of the oral mucosa is often misdiagnosed as non-neoplastic especially in a previously healthy young adult. Here, we share a case of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the soft palate, in a 22-year-old healthy gentleman with no other symptoms. Meticulous clinical evaluation and complete investigations are required for prompt diagnosis, timely treatment which carries betterprognosis.

Stridor is high-pitched, noisy breathing that occurs as a result of a narrowed airflow. It is considered as a respiratory emergency in which if left untreated, may lead to death. The most common cause of stridor in paediatric is laryngomalacia (LM). Nevertheless, other causes of persistent stridor in infant have to be ruled out, in the case of failed surgical therapy. Here, we report a rare case of a three-month-old infant boy with persistent stridor since birth who had undergone aryepiglottoplasty for LM at day ten of life and was referred back to the hospital due to worsening of stridor with signs of respiratory distress and subsequently he was diagnosed with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD). This is the first report to discuss on PMD as a rare differential diagnosis of stridor.

There are many important concerns and issues raised in managing acute airway obstruction cases with regards to the current COVID-19 pandemic. As a further matter, a patient with a huge thyroid mass in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) presenting with impending airway obstruction poses treatment challenges, as immediate active intervention is necessary despite the risk of spreading of COVID-19 viruses. The unknown status of COVID-19 of the patient will add additional concerns during active assessment and treatment as patients with this undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma commonly deteriorate fast. This carcinoma may also invade the trachea and result in upper airway obstruction leading to a fatal outcome. Therefore, an appropriate treatment strategy is essential. This report highlights a case of an ATC patient who presented with diffuse cemented-hard anterior neck, whereby the whole management of ATC with acute airway obstruction during this COVID-19 pandemic is purely contentious and challenging. The issue of providing artificial ventilation either via intubation or tracheostomy is made more complicated as the patient presents with an acute upper airway obstruction whilst the COVID-19 status is unknown. While endotracheal intubation approach was not easy, the trachea was also difficult to be identified externally due to the huge ‘cemented-hard’ mass plastered over the compressed trachea. Due to the advanced disease, surgical intervention was not an option.