The Role of Quantic Molecular Resonance (QMR) in the Treatment of Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy (ITH): Our Experience With Long-Term Follow-Up in Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis Refractory to Medical Therapy. Preliminary Results.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of quantic molecular resonance (QMR) in the treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) in allergic and nonallergic rhinitis refractory to medical therapy. METHODS: This study enrolled 281 patients, 160 males (56.9%) and 121 females (43.1%), mean age 37.8 ± 4.1 years, range 18 to 71. Fifty-four patients have been lost to follow up and have been therefore excluded from the final analysis. Based on skin prick test results, 69 patients were considered allergic (group A) and 158 nonallergic (group B). All subjects underwent before surgery (T0) and 3 (T1), 12 (T2), 24 (T3), and 36 months (T4) after QMR treatment to: 4-phase rhinomanometric examination, nasal endoscopy evaluation, and visual analogue scale to quantify the subjective feelings about nasal obstruction. RESULTS: Subjective and objective parameters showed statistically significant improvement in both groups. Group B parameters not changed during follow-up, while group A showed significant worsening between T1 and subsequent assessments. T4 outcome indicates a better result in nonallergic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with the literature, our preliminary data validate QMR treatment as a successful therapeutic option for nasal obstruction due to ITH. Nonallergic patients had a very good T4 outcome. Allergic patients showed a worsening trend after 1 year probably due to other causes.

Specific local nasal immunotherapy: Single center experience on 324 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of specific local nasal immunotherapy (LNIT) in patients with allergic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center study of 324 patients with allergic rhinitis (191 allergic to mites, 133 allergic to Grarninaceae or Parietaria pollen) treated with specific LNIT was carried out. As control group, 158 patients without allergic rhinitis were enrolled. All patients were evaluated before and after 32 weeks of treatment by subjective analysis of their self-reported symptoms and by objective analysis of nasal provocation test, nasal resistance by anterior rhinomanometry, and mucociliary clearance time. RESULTS: Clinical efficacy of LNIT for allergy to mites and pollens was confirmed by the differences in the symptoms score between the active group and the placebo group. The nasal provocation test and the rhinomanometric analysis confirm the result with a difference statistically significant. No differnces in mucociliary clearance time were found. CONCLUSIONS: Specific LNIT is a valide alternative to subcutaneous and sublingual administration. It is effective, safe, well tolerated by the patient, it can be done at home with fewer systemic reactions.

A 7-Year-Old Boy and a 14-Year-Old Girl Initially Diagnosed with Toxic Shock Syndrome and Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Supporting a Diagnosis of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

BACKGROUND Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has recently been described in children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This report describes 2 children with MIS-C who were initially diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome but who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, supporting the diagnosis of MIS-C. CASE REPORT Case 1. A 7-year-old boy with fever, cough, and dyspnea was treated with oxygen, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion, and methylprednisolone and showed a worsening of clinical conditions, persistent fever, hypotension, and hematological parameters compatible with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Three intravenous boluses of methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg/day) were followed by a progressive resolution. Case 2. A 14-year-old girl with syncope, fever, diarrhea, oliguria, and increased creatinine levels required fluid infusion and correction of electrolyte imbalance. The increase of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), myoglobin, troponin, and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) was associated with grade I atrioventricular block and pericardial effusion. The patient showed myositis and severe muscular weakness, with hematological parameters compatible with MIS-C. She started IVIG and 3 intravenous boluses of methylprednisolone. However, bradycardia, tachypnea, severe hypotension, loss of consciousness, oliguria, bilateral ground-glass pneumonia, bilateral pleural, and peritoneal effusion, in the absence of thromboembolism, required treatment with furosemide, albumin, and enoxaparin, and was followed by a prompt resolution. CONCLUSIONS These 2 pediatric cases highlight the importance of SARS-CoV-2 testing in all patients with acute symptoms and signs of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. As new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge, cases of MIS-C can become more prevalent, and pediatricians should be aware of diagnostic and management guidelines.

Our Experience on Temporal Bone Fractures: Retrospective Analysis of 141 Cases.

Temporal bone fractures are a common lesion of the base of the skull. The diagnosis and management of temporal bone fractures require a multidisciplinary approach. Variable clinical presentations may arise from such fractures, ranging from an asymptomatic course to very serious consequences. The aim of this study was to report our experience with a series of patients with temporal bone fractures and to propose a diagnostic/therapeutic algorithm. This study enrolled 141 patients, 96 (68.1%) males and 45 (31.9%) females, ranging in age from 20 to 60 (average age: 39 ± 4.1 years), with temporal bone fractures who were referred to Cardarelli Hospital between 2006 and 2018. The present paper presents a classification of temporal bone fractures and typical clinical sequelae and provides an illustration of their prognosis and treatment.

Neuroimmune-Driven Neuropathic Pain Establishment: A Focus on Gender Differences.

The role of neuroinflammatory cells in the establishment of neuropathic pain has been investigated in depth in the last few years. In particular, microglia have been shown to be key players in the induction of tactile allodynia, as they release proinflammatory molecules that, in turn, sensitize nociceptive neurons within the spinal cord. However, the role of peripheral immune cells such as macrophages, infiltrating monocytes, mast cells, and T-cells has been highlighted in the last few studies, even though the data are still conflicting and need to be clarified. Intriguingly, the central (microglia) and peripheral (T-cell)-adaptive immune cells that orchestrate maladaptive process-driven neuropathic pain seem to be involved in a gender-dependent manner. In this review, we highlight the role of the microglia and peripheral immune cells in chronic degenerative disease associated with neuro-immune-inflammatory processes.

Is myomectomy always the best choice for infertile women with symptomatic uterine fibroids?

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is still regarded by most gynaecologists as contraindicated for women with symptomatic fibroids and otherwise unexplained infertility. For such patients, myomectomy is the usual option. We performed UAE as treatment of menorrhagia in an infertile woman with multiple subserosal and intramural fibroids who had previously failed multiple myomectomy. UAE resulted in durable symptom relief and substantial reduction of the uterine and fibroid size. The patient conceived spontaneously 20 months after UAE and progressed through pregnancy uneventfully. At 38 weeks of gestation, she underwent elective cesarean section and delivered a normal, healthy, 3180-g fetus without complications. The present case demonstrates that in symptomatic women with multiple subserosal and intramural fibroids and otherwise unexplained infertility, UAE may have symptomatic and reproductive outcomes superior to those of myomectomy.

Face and neck revitalization with platelet-rich plasma (PRP): clinical outcome in a series of 23 consecutively treated patients.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has long been known as an effective treatment in various surgical and medical fields. Face and neck revitalization with PRP is an application that is currently being explored. The aim of this paper is practical: to evaluate if there are real outcomes, benefits and side effects of a standardized injection protocol in a continuous series, without control groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a three-month study, a consecutive series of 23 patients were treated with one session of injections with PRP every month from September 2008 to December 2008 (a total of three sessions). For blood management, a sterile Regen Lab Kit was used. Patients received 4 mL of PRP, activated with calcium chloride, at standard injection points into face and neck skin. The study was documented with imaging before and after each session using a dermoscope, a digital camera, as well as a comprehensive state-of-the-art imaging system and dedicated medical imaging software. RESULTS: The results were evaluated one month after the last session (January 2009) by a special spider improvement score, a photograph score, a patient's satisfaction score and a doctor's satisfaction score. Finally, a definitive graduated score was calculated for each patient. Overall, the results were satisfactory. No serious and persistent side effects were detected. CONCLUSION: Face and neck revitalization with PRP is a promising easy-to-perform technique in face and neck rejuvenation and scar attenuation. Further work needs to be carried out to investigate its exact mechanism of action.

Uterine artery embolization for fibroids does not have adverse effects on ovarian reserve in regularly cycling women younger than 40 years.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for fibroids on ovarian reserve in women younger than 40 years. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University-based reproductive endocrinology unit. PATIENT(S): Twenty regularly cycling women aged 33-39 years undergoing UAE for fibroids. All had cycle day 3 FSH levels <10 mIU/mL. INTERVENTION(S): Measurements of serum FSH and E2 levels and of the total ovarian volume and antral follicle number by transvaginal ultrasonography on day 3 of the menstrual cycle preceding UAE and on day 3 of the cycles occurring in months 3, 6, and 12 after UAE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Preprocedural and postprocedural hormone levels, ovarian volumes, and antral follicle numbers. RESULT(S): There were no significant changes from baseline in the mean day 3 FSH and E2 levels, ovarian volume measurements, and antral follicle numbers measured at 3, 6, and 12 months after UAE. CONCLUSION(S): Although this study might be not sensitive enough to conclude that UAE for fibroids does not interfere with a woman's ovarian status, these data indicate that in this series of reproductive-aged women UAE did not have short- or mid-term effects on ovarian reserve as assessed by hormonal and sonographic parameters.

Permanent amenorrhea associated with endometrial atrophy after uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of permanent amenorrhea associated with endometrial atrophy after uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Gynecologic clinic of a university hospital. PATIENT(S): A 44-year-old woman with menorrhagia and anemia caused by multiple fibroids. INTERVENTION(S): Transcatheter bilateral uterine artery embolization with polyvinyl alcohol particles, with hormonal, sonographic, and hysteroscopic follow-up procedures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels were measured, and sonographic appearance of the ovaries and the endometrium at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment were recorded. Hysteroscopy was performed with endometrial biopsy at baseline and 6 months after embolization. RESULT(S): The patient remained amenorrheic from the procedure. Serial posttreatment measurements of FSH and estradiol levels and repeated ovarian imaging showed no change in ovarian function as compared with baseline. A reduction in endometrial thickness (