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Abstract Purpose This study aimed to examine the relationship between the sphenoid sinus (SS) and surrounding vital structures such as the internal carotid artery (ICA) and optic nerve canal (ONC) as well as the types of attachment of the sphenoidal septa onto these structures. Methods In total, 230 computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed to study the type of sphenoid sinus pneumatization (SSP), the protrusion and dehiscence of the ICA and ONC, the relationship between the sphenoidal septa and surrounding vital structures as well as pterygoid recess pneumatization (PRP). Results The most common SSP was sellar type (58.7%). The rates of protrusion and dehiscence of the ICA were 26.3 and 0.4%, and for the ONC, they were 13 and 1.5%, respectively. The ICA and ONC were most protruded and dehiscent in more extensive SSP. In 21.6% of patients, the intersphenoidal septa (IS) were attached to the wall of the ICA and in 8.6% they were attached to the wall of the ONC. The attachment of IS to the ICA correlated statistically significantly (p

Abstract This work investigated the techniques used for creating a three-dimensional stucco decoration. During the multidisciplinary project "The art and industry of Ticino plasterers from the sixteenth to the seventeenth century", some stucco works mainly situated between the south of the Ticino region and the province of Como were studied. These artists traditionally known as "Masters of the Lakes", were invited across Europe to decorate the most important architectures at the time. The diffusion of this art and in particular of these workers was probably due to their unique ability to master the complex art of stucco. In particular, the scientific research was addressed at understanding the structure, composition and original “recipes” of the high relief stucco and statues, by using different complementary analytical techniques: the internal structures were analyzed with the radiographic technique, the mortars were characterized by polarized light microscopy, SEM–EDS and FT-IR spectroscopy. The identification of organic additives was possible thanks to a pre-treatment sample with the reactive sulfur tetrafluoride gas (SF4). Our results indicated that the stucco works of the considered authors were made using almost all recurring components, although differences emerged in the assembly of the internal structure, in the presence of gypsum in the ground mortar layers and in the use of the aggregate in the finishing.

Introduction: Isolated sphenoid sinus inflammatory diseases (ISSIDs) are responsible for about 75% of isolated sphenoid sinus opacifications. Computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be used in a complementary manner for the assessment of ISSIDs. This evaluation sheds some light on the extent of disease and intracranial and intra-orbital involvement. Materials and Methods: The current study aimed to evaluate the medication histories of 14 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for ISSIDs within 2015-2018. This assessment was carried out to analyze the presenting symptoms, diagnostic work-up, additional therapies, and complications. Moreover, it can help us compare our data with pertinent literature. Results: As evidenced by the obtained results, ISSID lesions included bacterial sphenoiditis (42.9%), fungus ball (21.4%), invasive fungal sphenoiditis (14.3%), mucocele (14.3%), and retention cysts (7.1%). In addition, headache was found to be the major complaint, followed by nasal symptoms. Diplopia, and signs and symptoms of the involvement of other cranial nerves were less frequent. All patients underwent endoscopic transnasal sphenoidectomy. The overall survival rate was reported as 92.9% (13/14), and all patients with cranial nerve palsies demonstrated complete clinical remission. Conclusion: Both the review of related literature and our clinical cases were indicative of the dangerous consequences of ISSIDs. Their varied and unspecific presentation and the limited reliability of nasal endoscopy required the cooperation of ENT (ear, nose, and throat) team with other specialists to make an accurate diagnosis and decide on the most appropriate therapeutic choices. If the signs of intracranial complications were detected, surgery should be promptly performed to maximize the chances of recovery.

A diagnosis of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis was made in a 59-year-old man with a secondary acute myeloid leukemia a few days after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Prompt treatment with combined antifungal therapy (liposomal amphotericin B and isavuconazole) followed by a procedure of endoscopic sinus surgery resulted in the resolution of the infection. Therapeutic drug monitoring of isavuconazole was performed during the year of treatment showing an increment of plasma concentrations in correspondence with the improvement of intestinal GvHD, thus suggesting that in this or similar conditions TDM for isavuconazole can be of value. A literature review of cases of rhino-orbital-cerebral and rhino-cerebral mucormycosis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients was performed.

Isolated sphenoid sinus diseases are generally asymptomatic and relatively uncommon with the potential for serious complications. Patients with this condition should be monitored closely and treated aggressively and either diagnostic or therapeutic intent is often indicated. In the management of a complex, life-threatening condition that involves many different fields of expertise, the otolaryngologist plays a key role in orchestrating different specialists and gaining direct access to the affected area, thus taking the first and essential step towards diagnosis and therapy. Because of the superiority of computed tomography in defining the bony margins and the superior soft tissue resolution of magnetic resonance imaging, these two techniques should be used in a complementary manner in the evaluation of isolated sphenoid sinus disease in addition to mapping the lesion better and identifying intracranial and intraorbital extent. We report an unusual case of isolated rhinosinusitis of the sphenoid sinus involving the cavernous sinus, pterygoid fossae and masticatory space in an immunocompetent patient.

Many case studies report the alteration of the pigment azurite into paratacamite on wall paintings in Europe (for instance in Italy, Portugal, Austria). The analytical research performed on the 16th century wall paintings in the St. Alessandro church at Lasnigo (North Italy) pointed out an irregular and inhomogeneous alteration of azurite. It is well known that azurite can transform into malachite when the humidity is high and in alkaline conditions and into basic copper chlorides (atacamite, paratacamite, clinoatacamite) when solutions containing chlorine ions are present. X-ray diffraction allowed to refer the green compounds to paratacamite. The remaining surfaces painted with azurite do not reveal any trace of alteration despite of the presence of chlorine; a few traces of azurite have been found inside the direct incisions of the Crucifixion painted scene where the original blue pigment was completely lost. The microclimatic conditions seem to play an important role in the process in addition to the presence of water and chlorides. The surface where alteration occurs is the only one to be cyclically heated by the solar radiation, causing the transport of the solutions containing chlorides. The relationship between the environment and the chemical processes occurring represents an important issue to be developed.

The Polyomaviruses KI and WU have been identified in 2007 in nasopharyngeal aspirates of patients with acute respiratory tract infections.They have been further isolated in faecal samples, lymphoid tissue, bronchoalveolar lavages and blood, although their pathological associations, molecular epidemiology and tissue tropism are still not widely known.The aim of this study was to determine the presence of KIV and WUV in tonsillar tissue of immunocompetent patients to assess whether the tonsils may represent a site of infection and/or persistence.The presence of Polyomavirus BKV, JCV and SV40 was also evaluated. The presence of Polyomavirus KI,WU, BK, JC and SV40-DNA was evaluated in a prospective study on tonsillar samples obtained from 29 immunocompetent patients (adults and children undergoing tonsillectomy) by a commercially available Taqman Real-time quantitative PCR (BKV Q-PCR Alert Kit, Nanogen) and a home-made system (for KIV,WUV, SV40, JCV).The amplification conditions were optimized and standardized. KIV-DNA was detected in 2/29 (6.9%) tonsil tissue (obtained from an adult and a child), while WU, BK, JC and SV40 were negative in all cases. Our prevalence results are consistent with those reported in the literature on samples from the respiratory tract and lymphoid tissue such as tonsils. Further studies are needed to understand the significance of the presence of KIV in tonsil tissue and assess the possibility that the virus can establish latent and/or persistent infection at this level.