On the following day, the patient still complained of pain at the thyroid cartilage level. Repeat lateral neck radiography showed the same linear opacity. The possibility of a foreign body embedded in the hypopharyngeal mucosa could not be excluded. A computed tomography (CT) scan ofthe hypopharynx demonstrated a densely calcified ridge on the posterior lamina ofthe cricoid cartilage (Fig 2). No foreign body was shown on the cr scan.The patient was observed in the ward. He was able to eat normally. There was no symptom or sign suggestive of infection due to perforation of the digestive tract by any ingested foreign body. The CASE REPORTA 50-year-old man complained of severe throat pain at the level ofhis thyroid cartilage after swallowing a fish bone during his lunch on the same day. Clinical examination did not reveal any foreign body in his oropharynx or hypopharynx. Palpation of his larynx did not cause any tenderness. Radiography of his neck in the lateral view revealed a linear opacity posterior to the calcified cricoid cartilage. This linear opacity was not continuous with the cricoid cartilage calcification (Fig 1). It was determined that the patient had an impacted foreign body at the level of his cricopharyngeal sphincter. He was admitted for rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia to remove the ingested foreign body. At esophagoscopy, no Fig 1. Plain lateral neck radiograph showing calcified fi · bod fi d d all · ridge on cricoid posterior lamina appearing as linear oreigny was OUD an no mucos esion was opacity (wide arrow) separated from rest of cricoid calcifiseen. The procedure was terminated and the patient cation (narrow arrow). This linear opacity mimics inwas returned to the ward for observation. gested foreign body impacted at cricopharyngeus.

Fine needle lung aspiration biopsy is now a well established method of obtaining tissue for histopathological diagnosis. It is fast, simple and reliable, and has a very low complication rate. We report our experience using two fine needles, the Turner and the EZ-EM Cut-Biopsy needles, comparing their yield and complication rates. We found that both needles had comparable diagnostic yields (65% with the Turner, and 71% with the EZ-EM) and complication rates. We also found that in most cases, aspirates alone were sufficient for diagnosis, and that obtaining tissue cores with larger bore EZ-EM needles did not significantly influence the diagnostic outcome. We conclude that both the Turner and the EZ-EM needles are equally effective and safe in percutaneous lung aspiration biopsy. The least traumatic needle should be used except when the cytological diagnosis is nonspecific inflammatory cells or inadequate, in which case a repeat with a cutting needle is advised to obtain a core of tissue.

Computerised tomography of the brain was used to demonstrate basal ganglia calcification which may be of an insufficient degree to be seen on skull X-ray.Cases referred for CT scan from hospitals in Singapore for various reasons Over a period of 12 months were studied for basal ganglia calcification. There was a startlingly high incidence of 1.5 %, as 47 cases (all except 2 were Chinese) showed such calcification. In 42 cases there was no evidence of basal ganglia calcification on skull X-ray. 16 cases showed neurological affection, fits being the commonest manifestation.An unexpected finding was that no case had abnormality of calcium metabolism or evidence of hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism.The CT scan is very sensitive in demonstrating minimal basal ganglia calcification and our impression is that such calcification is common.

These positive results of intermediate measures suggest that, in Asian communities, screening mammography could be an important modality for detecting early stage breast carcinoma. However, the low compliance rates suggest that health education efforts must focus on issues related to acceptability if such programs are to succeed.