Tympanic plethysmography is a simple non-invasive diagnostic technique which is used to differentiate between intra-temporal carotid aneurysms and glomus jugulare tumours and to predict the degree of extension of the tumour. It is performed by the indirect recording of volume pressure changes of pulsating tympanic masses using a pressure transducer. The volume pressure change of the pulsating mass is transmitted to the pressure transducer through a saline-filled system.

Medical technology has undergone considerable progress with the introduction of new techniques in medical diagnosis less harmful to the patient and with a reduced risk of complications. The collaboration of doctors, scientists and bioengineers has resulted in the evolution of such changes, thereby trying to replace the more aggressive or invasive diagnostic techniques. The ideal diagnostic technology is one without pain, harm or complications to the patient.

Medical diagnostic technology may be classified as invasive or noninvasive. Non-invasive diagnostic technology is either active, using an external source of energy such as ultrasound (ultrasonography) or a small dose of X-rays, as in computerized axial tomography; or passive, using the energy emitted by human structures, as in plethysmography.

Plethysmography is the recording of volume pressure changes. Oculoplethysmography is used to monitor extracranial occlusive carotid disease (Kartchner and McRae, 1973). The use of sound energy as an internal energy emitted by the human body has proved effective as a passive, non-invasive diagnostic technique (Tewfik, 1976, 1977).

Volume pressure changes of intra-temporal carotid aneurysms have been recorded, using a pressure transducer (Tewfik, 1974).

In this article the volume pressure changes of glomus jugulare tumours have been recorded and the findings compared with those obtained, and previously published, for intra-temporal carotid aneurysms. Volume pressure changes of pulsating tympanic masses may be called tympanic plethysmography. A trial of this simple non-invasive diagnostic technique for differentiating pulsating tympanic masses is here reported, together with an assessment of the technique in its ability to predict the degree of extension of glomus jugulare tumours.

A four-year experience in a Vestibular Clinic led the author to the unconventional opinion that the ENG does not often make a significant contribution in the routine evaluation of patients with vertigo or dizziness. A good history by the doctor is usually enough to make a diagnosis. Audiometry and office ice calorics are done routinely. More sophisticated tests are done if judged necessary.

Around 10 per cent of the 300 consecutive cases seen at the clinic had no diagnosis. An ENG on these did not prove to be of help in making a diagnosis or getting closer to one.

This paper is an invitation to good clinical and synthetic judgement in days when more and more responsibility is delegated to sophisticated equipment.

The removal of the uvula for minor pharyngeal lesions is unusual in Western otorhinolaryngological practice. However, uvulectomy is a common procedure for ‘throat problems’ in Nirgeria and some other African countries by traditional surgeons. This is because it is believed that the elongated uvula is the root cause of all throat problems. These traditional surgeons are usually barbers by profession and only practice surgery on a part-time basis. Most of their patients do well but some have to be rushed to the hospital with severe post-operative bleeding. Attention of Europeans and other foreign otolaryngologists who may find themselves practising in any part of Arica is hereby drawn to the procedure.

This meeting was conceived as a means of presenting the information to SIT—in a comprehensive, holistic manner. A joining of the aspects of basic sciences and clinical disciplines, as related to SIT. The purpose of the meeting is to provide a practical application of the presentations for the evaluation, treatment, and control of SIT. The goals of our meeting are:

(a) to establish standards for the evaluation and treatment of SIT;

(b) to present recent clinical advances in the diagnosis and treatment of SIT;

(c) to reduce and/or eliminate confusion in the site of lesion diagnosis and the symptom of SIT;

(d) to separate by evaluation the medical diagnosis that is etiology from the symptom and site of lesion of SIT to consider SIT as a separate entity;

(e) to control SIT—to conserve hearing.

As introduction to this meeting I am presenting an overview of the subject of SIT. I hope to emphasize the concepts of epidemiology; theories of mechanisms of SIT; basis science investigations relating to SIT; the state of the art, present and future, relating to SIT. Throughout our meeting stress will be placed upon correlating the basic sciences and the clinical sympton of subjective idiopathic tinnitus.

The over-all distribution of the pre-operative bacteria of 806 ears and the post-operative bacteria of 109 post-operatively moist or discharging ears correlated very well, the only clear difference being the detection of diphtheroid bacilli more often post-operatively than pre-operatively.

When comparing the pre- and post-operative bacteriology of 109 post-operatively infected chronic ears which had undergone radical surgery and obliteration with Palva flaps (and which were drawn from a group of 806 ears originally operated on and followed yearly for 5–14 years) it was noticed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus sp were cultured more often post-operatively than pre-operatively in the same ears. Statistically, other bacteria were not found to be significantly present in the same ears.

Tinnitus may be associated with lesions in the auditory system from the external auditory canal to the auditory cortex. So let's begin briefly, at first with the external auditory canal and move centrally. The external auditory canal has a slightly curved course. As one looks in, it is a course directed posteriorly and superiorly, then medially and finally anteriorly and inferiorly. The canal is oval in cross-section, with the long axis of this oval extending from anterior/superior to posterior/inferior. In the adult it averages 27 mm. in length. The outer 1/3 has a cartilaginous skeleton and the inner 2/3 has a bony skeleton. The bony canal wall is convexed anteriorly and inferiorly and this convexity obscures the anterior, inferior portion of the tympanic membrane. There are sebaceous glands and hair in the outer 1/3. The cartilaginous portion of the canal has transverse fissures in the anterior- inferior portion that are the fissures of Santorini.