The proximity of the thyroid and parathyroid glands to the larynx and hypopharynx puts them at risk from treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of this region. Consequently parathyroid and thyroid function was evaluated in patients surviving at least 5 years following treatment of primary SCC of the larynx or hypopharynx. Twenty-eight patients, initially treated from 1990 to 1992, were assessed and divided into four groups according to treatment received. Hypoparathyroidism (partial and hypocalcaemic) occurred in 88% and hypothyroidism (clinical and subclinical) in 50% in Group 1 (radiotherapy only) Group 2 (salvage laryngectomy for failed radiotherapy) had 66% hypoparathyroid and 33% hypothyroid. Group 3 (surgery + radiotherapy combined) had 89% hypoparathyroid and 89% hypothyroid. Group 4 (surgery only) had 63% hypoparathyroid and 63% hypothyroid. Significant endocrine hypofunction therefore occurs following the treatment of laryngopharyngeal carcinoma, more so with radiotherapy and combined therapy than with surgery alone.

Aggressive initial management remains the therapeutic aim in this condition.

To assess how effectively the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium (AAO-HNS CHE) guidelines for the diagnosis and evaluation of therapy in Meniere's disease have been applied in the last 11 years of published literature. This was a MedLine-based review. Some 79.7% of papers attempted to use the AAO-HNS CHE guidelines. However, only 50% of these publications managed to use the AAO-HNS CHE criteria in the diagnosis and evaluation of therapy correctly. In order to advance our understanding of this condition, improved application of the AAO-HNS CHE guidelines by authors and editors alike is required in the reporting of results of the therapy of Meniere's disease.