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Objective: To compare the Galletti-Contrino manoeuvre with the more widely used Semont-Toupet in overweight subjects presenting with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPBV) of vertical semicircular canals (posterior and anterior canals).Study design: Prospective cohort study.Patients: 204 patients (BMI range 25-30) with a diagnosis of BPPV of vertical semicircular canals were randomly divided in two groups treated with two different maneuvers: Galletti-Contrino (Group A) and Semont-Toupet manoeuvre (Group B). The results were compared with those obtained from a control group (204 non-overweight subjects with BPV of vertical semicircular canals.)Intervention: Galletti Contrino/ Semont Toupet manoeuvres.Main outcome measure(s): Liberatory nystagmus or vertigo after maximum 2 maneuvers. Vertigo and dizziness intensity scores (Visual analogue scale VAS 0-10) from day 0 to day 5 following the repositioning manoeuvre were also recorded in responsive patients.Results: While in non-overweight subjects no significant difference comparing the effectiveness of the two manoeuvres was found, liberatory nystagmus and vertigo were more frequently observed after Galletti Contrino manoeuvre in overweight subjects; this difference was statistically significant when posterior canals were involved (P < 0.03). Vertigo and dizziness VAS scores reduced significantly from day 0 to day 5 after therapy in all groups. A more significant reduction of dizziness VAS was recorded in patients undergoing Galletti-Contrino manoeuvre at days 4-5 (P < 0.005).Conclusion: Galletti-Contrino manoeuvre seems to be significantly more effective than Semont-Toupet manoeuvre in the treatment of BPPV of posterior semicircular canal and may be preferential in patients with limited body movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anosmia is a possible complication of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Psychometric and electrophysiological methods of olfaction measure and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are the tools to evaluate the post-traumatic olfactory loss. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) provides useful data for a better understanding of etiopathogenesis TBI-related anosmia, in particular the loss of neural connections and their eventual recovery over time. Materials and methods: This study describes a case of TBI-related anosmia. The olfactory function was evaluated by Sniffin’ Sticks Test (SST), Olfactory Event-Related Potentials (OERPs), MRI and DTI at baseline (T0) and after one year (T1). Results: At baseline, SST highlighted a functional anosmia. The OERPs showed the presence of a small N1–P2 complex. MRI confirmed the presence of a scarring involved in the right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). DTI detected a reduction in the average length and the number of neuronal fibre pathways of right OFC. At T1, a recovery of olfactory function was confirmed by SST and OERPs. Conclusion: While MRI images are unchanged from T0, DTI showed an increase in average length and number of fibre tracts in the right OFC. DTI could be a valid tool to display a post-traumatic loss of neural connections and to better understand TBI-recovery mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Neonatal stridor is a rare condition usually caused by laryngomalacia. Congenital laryngeal cyst represents an uncommon cause of stridor in the neonatal population and may be misinterpreted as laryngomalacia, leading to serious morbidity and mortality if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Herein we report the case of a full-term infant with stridor, feeding problems and failure to thrive. Initially, direct laryngoscopy diagnosed only laryngomalacia. As stridor worsened, however, and respiratory distress appeared, repeat laryngoscopy showed vallecular laryngeal cyst, visible macroscopically. The patient was successfully treated with endoscopic marsupialization. There was no evidence of recurrence at follow up after 3 months. This case highlights the importance of laryngoscopic assessment for suspected laryngeal abnormalities in infants with stridor. If symptoms worsen, endoscopy should be repeated, because congenital laryngeal cysts may not be immediately visible macroscopically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]