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The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of the mesencephalic superior colliculus (SC) in the pathogenetic mechanism of SIDS, a syndrome frequently ascribed to arousal failure from sleep. We analyzed the brains of 44 infants who died suddenly within the first 7 months of life, among which were 26 infants with SIDS and 18 controls. In-depth neuropathological investigations of serial sections of the midbrain showed the SC layered cytoarchitectural organization already well known in animals, as made up of seven distinct layers, but so far never highlighted in humans, albeit with some differences. In 69% of SIDS cases but never in the controls, we observed alterations of the laminar arrangement of the SC deep layers (precisely, an increased number of polygonal cells invading the superficial layers and an increased presence of intensely stained myelinated fibers). Since it has been demonstrated in experimental studies that the deep layers of the SC exert motor control including that of the head, their developmental disorder could lead to the failure of newborns who are in a prone position to resume regular breathing by moving their heads in the sleep-arousal phase. The SC anomalies highlighted here represent a new step in understanding the pathogenetic process that leads to SIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Rhinosporidiosis is a disease affecting primarily the mucosa of nose, conjunctiva and urethra. It is endemic in some Asiatic regions, affecting people of any age and sex. Its manifestation is a polypoid mass growing inside the affected cavity and the only treatment is surgical excision. Rhinosporidium seeberi is the aetiological agent. Many discussions arouse regarding the taxonomic classification of the microorganism, recent studies established it is an aquatic protistan parasite. The lesion may recur and sometimes cause osteolytic bone lesions. In endemic areas it is not easy to establish if recurrent lesions are due to relapse or reinfection. Case presentation A 26-year-old male patient from India, resident in Italy since 2005, presented in March 2006 with a history of nasal obstruction of three months duration. Physical examination showed an erythematous, papillomatous mass, 3 cm in diameter, obstructing the right nasal cavity. A microscopic diagnosis of rhinosporidiosis was made. Few Italian human cases of this disease have been previously reported in the literature. Conclusion Rhinosporidiosis is a condition which both clinicians and pathologists should keep in mind when managing patients from endemic countries with nasal masses. Moreover, it is very interesting in such cases to follow the clinical course: an eventual recurrence of the lesion in our patient would mean a true relapse, excluding the possibility of a reinfection, more probable in the endemic areas.