-In spite of the steady increase in the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infections, it remains a relatively uncommon cause of meningitis. To our knowledge, no series of community-acquired S. aureus meningitis (CASAM) restricted to children has been published. So far in this retrospective study we report our experience with CASAM in children, hospitalized from 1983 to 1998 at Nossa Senhora da Glória Children's Hospital (HINSG). During the sixteen-year study period, 2,319 new cases of acute pyogenic meningitis were diagnosed at HINSG. Community-acquired S. aureus was identified as the causative agent in 30 patients (1.3 percent). The predominantly spinal localization of the agent is stressed. In contrast with publications which analyze adults, it has a better prognosis.

The vocal fold paralysis accounts for 10% of the larynx congenital abnormality, being the second most common cause of laryngeal stridor in childhood. In case the unilateral vocal fold paralysis is considered, the main cause is left-sided iatrogenic injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, secondary to surgery to correct the patent ductus arteriosus. In this study we reviewed the literature, reporting a case of a child who, after having undergone surgery to close the patent ductus arteriosus, evolved with breathing difficulty and dysphonia. We suggest that flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy is carried out pre- and post surgery of children for whom heart surgery to correct congenital abnormalities is indicated, thus allowing for early diagnosis of vocal fold paralysis and therefore to define as soon as possible the conduct to be followed.

Osteoma de mastóide é um tumor benigno, composto de tecido ósseo, de rara freqüência. Apresenta crescimento lento, permanecendo estável por anos. É normalmente assintomático, apesar de causar na maioria das vezes deformidade estética. No seu diagnóstico diferencial encontram-se principalmente as lesões isoladas do osso temporal, tais como a displasia fibrosa monostótica e osteoma osteóide. No presente estudo, os autores fazem uma revisão da literatura sobre osteoma de mastóide, e relatam um caso do mesmo em detalhes.

Vocal fold paralysis accounts for 10% of the larynx congenital abnormality, being the second most common cause of laryngeal stridor in childhood. As to unilateral vocal fold paralysis, the main cause is left-sided iatrogenic injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, secondary to surgery to correct the patent ductus arteriosus. In this study we reviewed the literature, reporting a case of a child who, after having undergone surgery to close the patent ductus arteriosus, evolved with breathing difficulty and dysphonia. We suggest that flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy is carried out pre-and post surgery in children for whom heart surgery to correct congenital abnormalities is indicated, thus allowing for early diagnosis of vocal fold paralysis and the selection of the best management approach.Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. V.71, n.3, 382-5, may/jun. 2005