Ectopic thyroid tissue within the submucosa of the trachea is a rare cause of upper airway obstruction. Primary neoplasms arising from such thyroid nests are rare. This report describes a case of tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma arising from ectopic thyroid tissue in the trachea.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disorder that can affect the upper airway. Hydralazine has been known to cause a lupus-like syndrome that can produce the clinical manifestations of SLE. We discuss a case of hydralazine-induced lupus, presenting with acute laryngeal oedema and right vocal fold paralysis. Cessation of hydralazine therapy resulted in reversal of paralysis.

We describe a patient who developed acute angle-closure glaucoma following the application of topical intranasal cocaine. A 46-year-old woman underwent an elective antral washout under general anaesthesia and with local application of 25 per cent cocaine paste to the nasal mucosa. Twenty-four hours post-operatively the patient developed sudden painful blindness which was found to be due to acute glaucoma. Cocaine with its indirect sympathomimetic activity causes mydriasis, that can precipitate acute angle-closure glaucoma in predisposed individuals with a shallow anterior chamber. Although the incidence is rare, otolaryngologists need to be aware of this potential complication.

An unusual case of encephalocele causing obstruction of the upper airway in a neonate is described. The patient presented with a large mass in the neck, which extended from the base of the skull to the level of the larynx. Although there was no evidence of a defect of the skull base, subsequent excision and histological examination confirmed an encephalocele.