Some clinicians consider depot antipsychotics to be stigmatizing and coercive. Former coercion studies have predominantly considered hospital admission rather than medication. This cross-sectional study investigated patients' perspectives of coercion for depot and oral antipsychotics.

72 participants, with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder on voluntary maintenance medication were randomly selected for further in-depth interviews as a sub-sample from an antipsychotic attitudinal study. The MacArthur Admission Experience (short form) was adapted to explore coercion regarding medication. Scores were compared for formulation groups (depot versus oral).

Only 9 (12.5%) had no concerns about coercion. Coercion scores were higher for depot than oral in terms of total score (mean 4.39 vs 2.80, p=0.027), perceived coercion (2.52 vs 1.73, p=0.041) and negative pressures subscales (1.17 vs 0.33, p=0.009). No significant differences were found for the “voice” subscale (0.70 vs 0.73) and affective reactions. Specifically, more participants on depot felt that people try to force them to take medication (30% vs 2%, p<0.001).

To our knowledge, this is study is unique in that it reports specifically on coercion regarding both depot and oral antipsychotics, using systematic quantitative methodology. Participants felt that treatment with depots was more coercive than with oral antipsychotics and was associated with a relative lack of true autonomy. One reason for this might be that depots are “given” rather than “taken”; thus the “power of others” may be seen as more potent. Greater perceived coercion may explain why some consider depots to be a more stigmatizing form of treatment.

Diagnostic ability is essential in laryngology. The UK Higher Surgical Training syllabus includes competencies specific to laryngology. This study aimed to identify the factors in training that lead to a consultant level of laryngology-related diagnostic ability.

An online test of training experience was constructed using laryngoscopy videos obtained from a specialist UK voice clinic. Participation was aimed at both trainees and trainers via invitation through national ENT forums.

There were 51 complete responses. Trainees with six months of laryngology experience scored significantly higher than those without this experience (p < 0.001). There was no improvement in score demonstrated for those with head and neck specialty experience without laryngology experience. Trainees who had completed 12 months of laryngology, or 6 months of laryngology coupled with 12 months of head and neck training, scored similarly to their consultant trainers.

It is recommended that all trainees have at least six months of experience in a specialist voice or laryngology placement prior to gaining the Certificate of Completion of Training.

The authors present an extremely rare case of carcinoma of the tympanic membrane.

A case report and review of the literature concerning carcinoma of the tympanic membrane and temporal bone are presented and discussed.

The authors present a patient with recurrent otorrhoea and an abnormal tympanic membrane. Biopsy was inconclusive, but resection demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma of the tympanic membrane. We also discuss the investigation, diagnosis, natural history and management of this rare condition, as well as the staging and management of tumours of the temporal bone and the differences between these closely related but prognostically different entities.

This rare entity can be managed by primary surgical resection if there is no evidence of metastasis.

We present an extremely rare case of a 44-year-old woman with right gustatory otorrhoea and otalgia.

The patient had been initially treated for otitis externa after Pseudomonas aeruginosa was grown from a microbiological swab. The otorrhoea fluid was collected and tested positive for amylase. Sialography and computed tomography imaging of the temporal bone confirmed a sialo-aural fistula from the right parotid gland to the bony external acoustic meatus. The defect was consistent with a patent foramen of Huschke. The fistula was identified surgically via a superficial parotidectomy approach, after contrast injection of Bonney's blue dye into the parotid duct, and then ligated and divided. The patient had immediate and sustained resolution of her otorrhoea.

Sialo-aural fistulae are extremely rare, and usually arise as a complication of surgery or as an acquired disease process. To date, only four cases have been reported. This case demonstrates the use of sensitive investigation involving sialography and computed tomography, as well as successful surgical management, with complete resolution of symptoms.