Schwannomas are benign neoplasms of the peripheral nerves originating in the Schwann cells. They are rare and usually solitary, with clearly delimited capsules. They occur in the head and neck region in only 25 % of the cases, and may be associated with Von Recklinghausen's disease. Schwannomas are always a diagnostic dilemma as they are asymptomatic for long time and histopathology is the gold standard for diagnosis. The present study retrospectively analysed data of 4 patients with schwannomas and reviewed the literature on the subject. Retrospective study at ENT & Head and Neck Surgery Department of Navodaya Medical College, Raichur. Data of 4 patients between 2008 and 2014 were reviewed. The sites of cervical schwannomas and the intraoperative, histopathological and postoperative clinical status of these cases were studied. Diagnostic methods, type of surgery and associated nerve of origin (NOO) were evaluated. The patients' age ranged from 18 to 50 years. None of them had type I neurofibromatosis or Von Recklinghausen's disease. The nerves affected included the brachial plexus, vagus nerve, sympathetic chain and lingual nerve. The nerve of origin was identified based on intra-operative findings and post-operative neurological deficits. Tumour was removed by debulk operation with the preservation of NOO method. Schwannomas are generally benign, and rarely recur. An accurate preoperative workup with the identification of NOO is very important not only for a correct diagnosis, but also for surgical planning and informing the patient about the possible complications.

HYDATID cysts are not uncommonly localized in the eye and its appendages, but their occurrence in the conjunctiva is rare (Duke-Elder, 1938, 1952Walsh, 1947). As far as I could find in the literature none has been reported in Arabia. Only two cases have been seen in Aden in 17 years.Case Reports Case 1, an Arab female aged 35, attended the out-patient department complaining of loss of vision in the left eye for the past 3 months. The globe was partially shrunken. The left upper lid looked fuller and was less mobile than the right. On lifting the lid one could see a small cystic tumour-like mass in the upper temporal quadrant of the orbit.The patient gave no history of trauma or pain in the eye, and on account of this vague history it was difficult to decide the cause of the loss of sight. My first impression was that this was a case of sarcoma of the choroid which had spread outside the globe. The conjunctiva was as normal as in the other eye. The diagnosis of hydatid cyst did not suggest itself, but as the eye was blind I decided to enucleate the remains. It was at once obvious that the cyst was quite separate from the globe. The cyst was very tense and circular in outline, and, while dissection was being attempted, it ruptured and the diagnosis of hydatid was at once apparent. It was confirmed microscopically as one could see many scolices and hooks from the cyst wall. There was a certain amount of reaction due to the rupture of the cyst into the tissues but this subsided in due course.Case 2, an Arab female aged 35, came to the out-patient department complaining of proptosis in the right eye, without much pain, of 2 months' duration. The proptosis was forwards and downwards. The vision in the eye was reduced to finger counting. A tumour could be palpated through the upper lid and seemed to be cystic in nature. The upward movement of the eye was limited. The blood count showed an eosinophilia of 5 per cent. A tentative diagnosis of hydatid cyst of the orbit was made as this patient arrived just after the discharge of Case 1. I aspirated a small amount of the fluid in the cyst and the laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis.It was decided to remove the cyst and a direct cutaneous approach was chosen. The cyst was exposed, and to reduce its size a small amount of fluid was aspirated. Dissection was difficult as the cyst was deep in the orbit, and it ruptured before it could be removed. The wall of the cyst was removed entire and the wound closed in layers. Leakage

INTRODUCTIONSurgery of the ear is a fascinating, yet challenging field in otorhinolaryngology. Chronic otitis media is the most common middle ear disease that is encountered in our hospital. There are various surgical procedures that are performed in cases of COM and other similar conditions of the middle ear.A thorough knowledge of the post-operative complications and pitfalls is indispensable for the surgeon, not only to provide the best possible care to his patients, but also to further improve his surgical outcomes.Any type of otosurgical procedure involves the risk of inner ear damage. As middle ear surgery is also performed for functional reasons this risk should be taken into consideration.The purpose of this study is for the assessment of sensorineural hearing loss after middle ear surgeries like tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy. There have been some studies mentioning many insults to the cochlea during middle ear ABSTRACT Background: Chronic otitis media is the most common middle ear disease that is encountered in our hospital. There are various surgical procedures that are performed in cases of COM and other similar conditions of the middle ear. Any type of otosurgical procedure involves the risk of inner ear damage. As middle ear surgery is also performed for functional reasons this risk should be taken into consideration. There have been some studies mentioning many insults to the cochlea during middle ear surgeries. Some studies claim that sensorineural hearing loss post-surgery is not significant at all. In view of these contradictory studies, further study is essential on this subject. Methods: All patients undergoing middle ear surgeries are subjected to pure tone audiometry pre-operatively and tenth day, one month and three months postoperatively. Hearing assessment done with pure tone audiometer. The hearing threshold for pure tone audiometer was determined in a sound treated room at frequencies ranging from 125-8000 Hz for air conduction and 250-4000 Hz for bone conduction. Results: Sensorineural hearing loss was not found in any of the patients postoperatively on 10th day 1st month and 3rd month. Conclusions: There was no significant variation between preoperative and postoperative bone conduction levels. Therefore middle ear surgeries have not resulted in any SNHL. Duration of ear discharge, duration of surgery, type of surgery had no bearing on postoperative sensory neural hearing levels.