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Objectives Saccharin test (ST) is a convenient method to assess the efficiency of mucociliary clearance, the primary defense mechanism of the upper airways��� tract. The study objectives are to: (1) substantiate its short- (3 days) and long-term (30 days) repeatability; (2) assess its tolerability; (3) conduct a systematic literature review and to compare our results with the existing evidence. Methods Twenty-nine healthy subjects were enrolled in an observational prospective study to perform an ST on three separate visits (at baseline; at follow-up visits at day 3 and at day 30). Transit times were recorded and self-reported nasal and general symptoms noted. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to compare our results with the existing literature. Results The mean values (��SD) of ST transit time (STTT) were 7.085 (��2.19), 7.788 (��2.11), and 7.790 (��2.06) minutes at baseline, day 3, and day 30, respectively. Significant linear regression analysis was observed between day 3 and baseline (r = .193; P = .019) and day 30 and baseline (r = .182 P = .024). Significant agreement for the intrasession repeatability was observed with an ICC = .354 (P = .001). Outcomes��� comparisons between baseline vs day 3 (P = .197) and baseline vs day 30 (P = .173) were not statistically significant. ST was well tolerated. Concordance with existing literature���s data and high level of STTT repeatability were confirmed by the qualitative analysis. Conclusion STTT reproducibility was good both in the short- and long-term. ST tolerability was very good. Our study data are consistent with the existing literature, indicating ST as a sound methodology for detection of early respiratory health changes and for specific regulatory application in respiratory research., This research was supported by university grant no. 21040100 of "Ricerca Scientifica Finanziata dall'Ateneo di Catania"

The aetiology of neurosensorial damage with unilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus and dizziness can often be difficult to determine because they may be caused wide variety of pathologic processes and a variety of diagnostic tests are needed in initial evaluation. In this paper, the authors describe, the techniques and indications of neuroimaging for evaluation of auditory symptoms. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing is still the choice when condition is suspected. We present a study of one patient with unilateral tinnitus, with no significant hearing loss and normal ABR: the patient underwent MRI of the district brain and the internal auditory channel (AIC) that showed the presence of a rare intracranial neoplasm, namely cerebellar angioreticuloma.Nella pratica clinica l'eziologia della sintomatologia audiologica e/o vestibolare può spesso essere difficile da determinare, poiché svariati processi patologici possono esserne responsabili e numerosi test diagnostici vengono utilizzati nella valutazione iniziale. In questo lavoro, gli autori descrivono in dettaglio un caso clinico caratterizzato da assenza di significativa ipoacusia neurosensoriale, presenza di acufeni monolaterali e normalità dell'esame ABR. Il paziente è stato sottoposto a Risonanza Magnetica Nucleare del distretto encefalico e dei condotti uditivi interni. L'indagine neuroradiologica ha rilevato la presenza di una neoplasia intracranica rara, l'angioreticuloma cerebellare.