More than a century ago, Ortner described a case of cardiovocal syndrome wherein he attributed a case of left vocal fold immobility to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by a dilated left atrium in a patient with mitral valve stenosis. Since then, the term Ortner's syndrome has come to encompass any nonmalignant, cardiac, intrathoracic process that results in embarrassment of either recurrent laryngeal nerve-usually by stretching, pulling, or compression; and causes vocal fold paralysis. Not surprisingly, the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, with its longer course around the aortic arch, is more frequently involved than the right nerve, which passes around the subclavian artery.Objectives: To discuss the pathogenesis of hoarseness resulting from cardiovascular disorders involving the recurrent laryngeal nerve along with the findings of literature review. Materials and methods:This paper reports a series of four cases of Ortner's syndrome occurring due to different causes.Design: Case study. Result:Ortner's syndrome could be a cause of hoarseness of voice in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion:Although hoarseness of voice is frequently encountered in the Otolaryngology outpatient department, cardiovascular-related hoarseness is an unusual presentation. Indirect laryngoscopy should be routinely performed in all cases of heart disease. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;77(5):559-62. ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Lipomas of the retropharyngeal region are rare. They attain a large size before producing symptoms like dyspnoea and dysphagia. A case of lipoma in the retropharyngeal space is reported with characteristic radiological fi ndings and surgical management.

<ul><li><p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The aim of this study was to clinically, audiologically and radiologically examine the contralateral ear, and compare the findings with squamous and mucosal type of chronic otitis media<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A prospective study of 15 months between April 2015 to July 2016 was conducted in the Otorhinolaryngology department, enrolling 80 patients with unilateral chronic otitis media. The contralateral ear was defined as the ear with no tympanic membrane perforation. Otoscopy, pure tone audiometry and X-ray mastoid or HRCT temporal bone were done on the patients. The results were recorded and analysed<span lang="EN-IN">.  </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Descriptive statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 22 in Windows 7. It was seen that most of the Tympanic membranes were abnormal, with contralateral ear of squamous disease showing more abnormality. Retraction and thinning were the most common abnormalities. And 14.3% cases of pars tensa retractions in squamous cases were grade 4 retractions. Mastoids were mostly sclerosed or diploeic, and soft tissue was present in the mastoid antrum in a few cases. Hearing loss was seen in contralateral ear of 47% of squamosal disease and in 30.5 % of mucosal disease<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The contralateral ear is now, what the diseased ear was yesterday. The contralateral ear shows unmistakable predilection towards developing chronic otitis media in the future<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p></li></ul>