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Objective:To discover the anatomist who first identified the upper oesophageal sphincter.Method:The authors searched dozens of antique anatomy textbooks kept in the old section of the ‘Vincenzo Pinali’ Medical Library of Padua University, looking for descriptions of the upper oesophageal sphincter.Results:The oesophageal sphincter was drawn correctly only in 1601, by Julius Casserius, in the book De vocis auditusque organis historia anatomica… (which translates as ‘An Anatomical History on the Organs of Voice and Hearing …’), and was properly described by Antonio Maria Valsalva in 1704 in the book De aure humana tractatus… (‘Treatise on the Human Ear …’).Conclusion:Anatomists Casserius and Valsalva can be considered the discoverers of the ‘oesophageal sphincter’. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of motor and non-motor dysfunction. Dysphagia is a common symptom in PD, though it is still too frequently underdiagnosed. Consensus is lacking on screening, diagnosis, and prognosis of dysphagia in PD., Objective: To systematically review the literature and to define consensus statements on the screening and the diagnosis of dysphagia in PD, as well as on the impact of dysphagia on the prognosis and quality of life (QoL) of PD patients., Methods: A multinational group of experts in the field of neurogenic dysphagia and/or PD conducted a systematic revision of the literature published since January 1990 to February 2021 and reported the results according to PRISMA guidelines. The output of the research was then analyzed and discussed in a consensus conference convened in Pavia, Italy, where the consensus statements were drafted. The final version of statements was subsequently achieved by e-mail consensus., Results: Eighty-five papers were used to inform the Panel's statements even though most of them were of Class IV quality. The statements tackled four main areas: (1) screening of dysphagia: timing and tools; (2) diagnosis of dysphagia: clinical and instrumental detection, severity assessment; (3) dysphagia and QoL: impact and assessment; (4) prognostic value of dysphagia; impact on the outcome and role of associated conditions., Conclusions: The statements elaborated by the Consensus Panel provide a framework to guide the neurologist in the timely detection and accurate diagnosis of dysphagia in PD., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Dysphagia is common in Parkinson's disease (PD). The effects of antiparkinsonian drugs on dysphagia are controversial. Several treatments for dysphagia are available but there is no consensus on their efficacy in PD., Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the literature and to define consensus statements on the treatment of dysphagia in PD and related nutritional management., Methods: A multinational group of experts in the field of neurogenic dysphagia and/or Parkinson's disease conducted a systematic evaluation of the literature and reported the results according to PRISMA guidelines. The evidence from the retrieved studies was analyzed and discussed in a consensus conference organized in Pavia, Italy, and the consensus statements were drafted. The final version of statements was subsequently achieved by e-mail consensus., Results: The literature review retrieved 64 papers on treatment and nutrition of patients with PD and dysphagia, mainly of Class IV quality. Based on the literature and expert opinion in cases where the evidence was limited or lacking, 26 statements were developed., Conclusions: The statements developed by the Consensus panel provide a guidance for a multi-disciplinary treatment of dysphagia in patients with PD, involving neurologists, otorhinolaryngologists, gastroenterologists, phoniatricians, speech-language pathologists, dieticians, and clinical nutritionists., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

: The Italian physicist Count Alessandro Volta, inventor of the electric battery, is considered the first scientist to have stimulated the ear with electricity, and the results of his experiments were presented in June 1800, at a meeting held by the Royal Society of London. Just recently, Mudry reported an electrical stimulation of the ear performed in 1748 by Benjamin Wilson (1721-1788), a British painter and scientist. After a thorough review of the literature available from the 18th century, we found that the first electrical stimulation of the ear was done in 1747, by a scientist in Bologna, Giuseppe Veratti.

Objectives: Before the widespread use of antibiotics, most deep neck infections (DNIs) stemmed from complicated pharyngeal infections. Nowadays, they seem to be due mainly to dental infections. In 2010, our group reported that DNIs originated from a major salivary gland in 14% of cases. The main endpoint of the present investigation was to review our experience of the diagnosis and treatment of DNIs of salivary gland origin. We also compared the characteristics of DNIs originating from salivary glands with those originating elsewhere., Methods: Between 2000 and 2011, 44 patients were treated for DNIs of salivary origin at our institution. These patients were compared with 191 cases of DNI diagnosed as having other sites of origin., Results/conclusions: In the present series, DNIs originating from a major salivary gland accounted for 19% of all cases of DNI of known origin. Patients with DNI of salivary gland origin were more likely to be elderly than those whose DNI originated from elsewhere (p=0.000). Our multivariate statistical model showed that comorbidities (p=0.051, statistical trend) and the need for surgical treatment (p=0.028) independently predicted long-term hospitalization for DNIs originating from a major salivary gland., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)