We present an extremely rare case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) arising in the nasal cavity. The patient was a 56-year-old Japanese male with a polypoid tumour arising from the nasal septum. Histopathological examination revealed the tumour to consist of a solid proliferation of clear-cells and, in some areas, small or elongated duct structures with a double-layered arrangement of inner cuboidal cells and outer clear-cells. Dual differentiation toward myoepithelial and ductal cells were confirmed immunohistochemically. The occurrence of EMC in the nasal cavity is possible and this entity should be generally recognized by surgical pathologists, not only those engaged in head and neck surgery.

Benign tumours of the tonsils are rare. Only a few cases of tonsillar lipoma have been previously reported. The case of a pedunculated polypoid lipoma of the palatine tonsil in a 44-year-old Japanese woman is presented. The ‘polyp’ was excised and an histopathological examination was carried out. The ‘polyp’ contained dilated lymphatics in the dense fibrous connective tissue beneath the overlying mucosal epithelium and below the mature fat tissue with intervening strands of fibrous tissue.

This study was carried out to determine the ultrastructure of the mucous membrane of vocal folds of human newborns. Excised larynges of newborns were observed with a transmission electron microscope.The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1) The epithelium of the edge of the vocal folds consisted of stratified squamous epithelium. It was thin but numerous desmosomes showed firm attachment between cells.2)The basement membrane zone had the same structure as that of adults.3) The lamina propria of the vocal fold mucosa was loose in structure and there was no vocal ligament. 4) Fibroblasts were sparse and in the resting phase.5) Collagenous and elastic fibers were sparse in the lamina propria. Structures of the collagenous fibers were mature but those of elastic fibers, were immature morphologically. 6) Ground substance was abundant in the lamina propria. 7) The newborn vocal fold mucosa lacked not only a vocal ligament but also adequate viscoelasticity for vibration.

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A retrospective review of 53 patients with glottic carcinoma treated by hemilaryngectomy at Kurume University Hospital between 1971 and 1990 was completed. The following results were obtained:1. The 3-year primary control rate of hemilaryngectomy for glottic carcinoma was 88%.2. The 3-and 5-year cumulative survival rates calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method were 98% and 96%, respectively.3. In T2 cases, 3-year primary control rate was 84% and the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 94%. In T3 cases, an 84% 3-year primary control rate was obtained and the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 100%. 4. Indication for hemilaryngectomy is T2 glottic carcinoma. Hemilaryngectomy can be performed in some T3 cases which does not extend to the subglottic region beyond 1 cur.