Renal vascular abnormalities included in this review are renal artery aneurysms (RAA) and renal arteriovenous malformations (AVM). The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and principles of management with emphasis on endovascular techniques are discussed.

Provox™ voice prostheses are low-resistance speech valves available since 1990 for post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation.Candida spp. mycelial growth has always been a major problem in all prosthetic valves causing leakage and limiting valve life. We found that the Provox™ new valves were not exempt from the old problem. We performed a preliminary clinical, mycological and scanning electron microscopic assessment ofCandida spp. growth on these valves. In contrast to studies done with other valves we found that theCandidamycelium on these new valves was a surface colony rather than growing into the valve substance, thus it might be feasible to control the mycelial growth by either mechanical cleansing or by using topical anti-fungal agents.

Following laryngectomy patients are usually advised that swimming is no longer possible. Under supervised conditions and using a swimming aid, such as described, a laryngectomee may return to an activity previously considered unavailable, rehabilitation thus being more complete. However, for a laryngectomee to proceed a safe supervised environment is required, and the path to this goal is often long and arduous, but with persistent dedication the Laryngectomy Swimming Club may become a reality bringing rich reward.

Temporal bone dissection forms an important aspect in the training of an otolaryngologist. The more dissection one does the more confident one is in the operating room. The aim of this paper is to advise in the preparation of temporal bones for the purpose of display, exhibition or competition. The practical aspects of dissection are deliberately avoided concentrating on the selection of bones pre- and post-dissection, preparation of the bones, fixing and display of vessels and nerves and also mounting and lighting for exhibition purposes.The temporal bone laboratory should be well equipped with a microscope, a power drill with a range of cutting and polishing burrs, a range of fine instruments, a suction machine with different sizes of suction tips, water source, a place to store the bones etc., thus creating an ideal environment for temporal bone dissection.