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Background: Retropharyngeal haematomas are most commonly associated with trauma and anti-coagulant use. This paper describes the first reported case of a spontaneous retropharyngeal haematoma suspected to be due to indomethacin use. Case report: It is proposed that the combination of indomethacin affecting platelet aggregation, alongside the patient coughing, may have led to this retropharyngeal haematoma. Conclusion: The complexities of management are discussed and the current literature reviewed. In the absence of airway compromise or a rapidly enlarging haematoma, patients can be managed conservatively with observation and close discussion with the haematology department. Follow-up imaging is not necessary if the patient's symptoms settle; however, any increase in parathyroid hormone levels must be investigated to exclude a parathyroid adenoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is an uncommon but well documented cause of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). We report a case of SAH in a patient with PAN causing death indirectly from the effects of resultant cardiovascular changes upon other manifestations of PAN. Clinicians should be aware of the systemic effects of SAH in patients with known vasculitides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastoiditis caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) has an extremely low incidence in paediatric patients and intracranial complications are even rarer. We report the case of a 2-year-old Caucasian male who presented to a tertiary ENT centre with a left sided mastoid swelling and drowsiness after having been treated unsuccessfully for unresolving ear pain and discharge for 6 weeks. He was subsequently found to have mastoiditis with intracranial complications caused by mycobacterium TB. This report aims to increase awareness of TB as a potential cause of chronic unresolving ear pain in the paediatric age group, as well as the importance of multidisciplinary team management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]