This issue of The Journal of Laryngology & Otology has more of a focus on otology. The Archives of The Journal have a wealth of information going back in time to the journal's inception in 1887. A recent article by Flood and Kenyon reviewed The Journal's archive material on Ménière's disease, 1 including an early description of endolymphatic sac surgery in 1927. Endolymphatic sac surgery is a contentious issue in Ménière's disease treatment. In the current issue, Locke and colleagues describe the surgical anatomy of the endolymphatic sac and suggest that the results of surgical decompression may be unpredictable because the sac is difficult to locate and decompress adequately. 2 In another 'pressure-related' otological article, Mitchell-Innes and colleagues discuss air travellers' awareness of the preventability of otic barotrauma. 3 Air travel is increasingly common, and it appears that although the majority of