Gradenigo's syndrome (GS) is a rare disease characterised by the triad otitis media, pain in the region innervated by the first and the second division of trigeminal nerve and abducens nerve palsy. Septic sinus thrombosis is one of the most frequent and relevant complication of GS; it is often due to persistent damage and late diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allow the correct diagnosis in most cases. Surgical therapy may be necessary for a better and more rapid resolution of the disease. We report the case of a 4-year-old child that was admitted for facial nerve palsy and abducens nerve palsy subsequent to a 2-week persistent pain in the right ear. MRI showed infective acute process of the right mastoid and partial ipsilateral sinus thrombophlebitis. The child was treated with high-dose intravenous antibiotics and with oral anticoagulants. A complete resolution of symptoms and radiological alterations were observed within 7 weeks. In conclusion, lateral sinus thrombosis and Gradenigo's syndrome are rare but potential fatal complications of otitis media and mastoiditis. High-dose intravenous antibiotics and a low dose of anticoagulant can achieve a complete recovery without surgery.

Introduction: Endogenous bioelectric fields (EBFs) play a fundamental role in promoting repair and regeneration processes, including in leg venous ulcers (LVUs). Unfortunately, the mechanism underlying the production of EBFs is easily altered by infectious, traumatic, and epigenetic factors. This alteration is one of the determining factors for the chronicity of LVUs. This study investigates how radioelectric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology treatments, specifically designed to optimize EBFs, and in particular tissue optimization-reparative (TO-RPR) treatment, can improve the results of standard dressing with and without elastic compression in LVU patients. Methods: A total of 30 patients were enrolled (12 males and 18 females) and randomized into three groups. All patients completed the study. Group A was treated with standard dressing, elastic compression, and REAC TO-RPR treatment; Group B was treated with standard dressing and REAC TO-RPR treatment; and Group C was treated with standard dressing and elastic compression. Results:The results show that the combination of REAC treatment and standard dressing associated with elastic compression has the greatest therapeutic efficacy in promoting the healing process for ulcers, reducing perceived pain, and improving the quality of life of the patients treated. Conclusions: Further studies will be useful to investigate these prospective results.

According to literature data, up to 59% of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSV) have no reflux at the terminal valve (TV) of the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ). The aim was to compare color duplex ultrasound (CDU) investigation and direct intra-operative assessment of competence of the TV at SFJ.A prospective comparative study was performed on 28 patients, who consecutively presented for surgical intervention for their primary varicose veins of the lower limbs with GSV incompetence. CDU assessment was performed pre-operatively to define GSV and SFJ terminal valve morphology and hemodynamics. Under local anesthesia these patients underwent SFJ disconnection (crossectomy) and segmental inverted saphenous stripping of the incompetent GSV tract + phlebectomy of the varicose tributaries. SFJ disconnection was performed in four stages in an ascending fashion: I) division of GSV below the lower SFJ tributaries, II) disconnection of lower SFJ tributaries, III) disconnection of upper tributaries, IV) flush to CFV ligature of GSV stump. After the completion of stage I, the SFJ stump was opened and kept open when needed throughout the subsequent stages, in order to highlight any possible blood leak through the SFJ stump. To highlight intraoperative blood leak from SFJ stump visual observation was carried out both during respiration and when performing Valsalva maneuver and manual compression of homolateral iliac fossa.As to pre-operative CDU all limbs showed GSV reflux and they were divided in two groups according to TV competence (group A) or incompetence (group B). Group A comprised 18 patients (6 M and 12 F), mean age 50.6 years.Group B included 10 patients (4 M and 6 F), mean age 54.8 years. Mean calibre of GSV at proximal/mid thigh was 6.4 mm in group A and 7.8 in group B. Concerning the intra-operative findings: in the group A, 5 patients had blood leak in the SFJ stump after stage I, 4 patients showed blood leak after stage II. After completion of stage III, only one severely obese patient had persistent reflux, whereas 17 patients had no reflux. Conversely the 10 patients from group B had reflux within GSV stump throughout the 3 stages.CDU pre-operative assessment matches intra-operative findings with regards to GSV TV competence/incompetence, with a good overall accuracy (27/28-94%). Different SFJ retrograde flow patterns should be elicited through CDU investigation. Obese patients need a more thorough CDU examination to avoid false negatives.

The Edematofibrosclerotic Panniculitis (EFP) and the Localised Adiposity (LA) have controversial pathogenesis and therapy. A single-centre observational study has been performed to assess the potential efficacy, the limitations and the side effects of the medical treatment of EFP and AL by means of a multicomponent nutraceutical product. Fifty female subjects have been enrolled, mean age and BMI of the patients were 46 years and 24.18 respectively. The subjects have been submitted to a two-month treatment with two tablets of a nutraceutical based on extracts of Birch (100 mg), Orthosiphon (100 mg), Red Vine Leukocyanidines (100 mg), Melilotus (5 mg) and Bromelin