key concepts

• Compression stockings are recommended for superficial thrombophlebitis
• An ileostomy is usually in the right iliac fossa, spouted and has a liquid output. An end ileostomy possesses a single lumen, and a loop ileostomy, two.
• There are 6 tests to confirm brain death; pupillary reflex, corneal reflex, oculo-vestibular reflex, cough reflex, absent response to supraorbital pressure, and no spontaneous respiratory effort
• Babinski reflex is a test of upper motor neuron damage
• Any person on anticoagulants with a head injury must receive a CT head within 8 hours. Patients in this category are more likely to develop intracranial bleeds following a head injury and these may have a delayed onset of presentation.
• Whilst awaiting surgery, it is NOT recommended than an attempt is made to manually reduce strangulated inguinal hernias
• All post-tonsillectomy haemorrhages should be assessed by ENT
• Following referral to ENT, patients with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss are treated with high-dose oral corticosteroids
• Refer a child with glue ear to ENT if they have persisting significant hearing loss on two separate occasions (usually 6-12 weeks apart)
• Typical BPPV history: 

  • vertigo triggered by change in head position (e.g. rolling over in bed or gazing upwards)
  • may be associated with nausea
  • each episode typically lasts 10-20 seconds
• Unilateral middle ear effusion in an adult can be a presenting symptoms of nasopharngeal cancer
• Tonsilar SCC is associated with HPV infection
• A perforated tympanic membrane caused by barotrauma is self-limiting
• Globus, hoarseness and no red flags → ? laryngopharyngeal reflux
• Quinsy should be treated with IV antibiotics and surgical drainage, and a tonsillectomy should be considered in 6 weeks
• Persistent unexplained hoarseness in a patient aged >45 years old: consider urgent referral to ENT
• Unilateral glue ear in an adult needs evaluation for a posterior nasal space tumour
• Haemorrhage 5-10 days after tonsillectomy is commonly associated with a wound infection and should therefore be treated with antibiotics
• sialadenitis - inflammation of the salivary gland likely secondary to obstruction by a stone impacted in the duct. The duct from the submandibular gland drain into the floor of the mouth and purulent discharge from this duct causes a foul taste in the mouth. 
• Meniere's disease is characterised by episodic vertigo, tinnitus (often described as a 'roaring' sensation), and sensorineural hearing loss
• Slow growing, painless, mobile lump in the parotid gland of older female → ? Pleomorphic adenoma
• Otosclerosis is a disease of the bones of the middle and inner ear (otospongiosis). It typically presents in young adults, particularly women, often during pregnancy or early menopause. The onset of otosclerosis is usually between the ages of 15 and 45 years
• Treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus). consists of oral aciclovir and corticosteroids