Background In the developing nations, the sinonasal region is routinely screened in chronic otitis media, but Eustachian tube is not as it is not cost-effective. Hence, we innovated an inexpensive device named Eustachian barotubometer. Materials and Methods A prospective case–control study was performed on ­mucosal type of chronic otitis media and traumatic tympanic perforation (100 cases each). Eustachian tube function was assessed by the Eustachian barotubometer (forced and physiological opening) and nasopharyngoscopy. Results Eustachian tube dysfunction was found to be five times higher in cases than controls. Both forced opening function and physiological opening function were ­poorer in cases than controls. However, the difference was statistically significant only in physiological opening function (p = 0.003). Among the cases with dysfunctional tubes, 86.7% were hypofunctional, whereas 13.3% were totally blocked. Conclusion Eustachian tube function was affected in 15% of cases of mucosal ­chronic otitis media as compared with controls in this study. This novel device could be ­conveniently used to help decide the right time to undertake middle ear surgery.

<p class="abstract"><span lang="EN-IN">Chondroid syringoma, is a benign neoplasm of sweat gland origin with an overall reported incidence of 0.01-0.098 percent. These tumours being rare can easily be misdiagnosed and should be included in the differential diagnosis of any slowly growing nodule in the skin of the face. The diagnosis is confirmed after histopathologic examination of tissue obtained by excisional biopsy. Treatment of choice is local surgical excision with a cuff of normal tissue, in order to prevent recurrence. We present a case of chondroid syringoma of the face (nasomaxillary groove), highlighting the rarity of the tumour and the surgical incision resulting in excellent cosmetic result.</span></p>

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<p class="abstract">Unusual foreign bodies in the digestive tract are common in psychiatric patients and children requiring screening of the entire gastrointestinal tract. We here report two cases of unusual ingested blunt foreign body in the upper digestive tract managed differently.</p>