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AIM: To define the possible beneficial impact of probiotics oral supplementation on patients affected by chalazion. METHODS: Prospective comparative pilot study on 20 adults suffering from chalazion randomly divided into two groups. The first group (n=10) received conservative treatment with lid hygiene, warm compression, and dexamethasone/tobramycin ointment for at least 20d. The second group (n=10), in addition to the conservative treatment, received a mixture of probiotic microorganisms of Streptococcus thermophilus ST10 (DSM 25246), Lactococcus lactis LLC02 (DSM 29536) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii (DSM 16606) once a day up to 3mo. Chalazia were classified according to their size into three groups: small (

Francesco Semeraro,1 Francesco Morescalchi,1 Andrea Russo,1 Elena Gambicorti,1 Andrea Pilotto,2 Francesco Parmeggiani,3 Silvia Bartollino,4 Ciro Costagliola4 1Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; 2Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Neurology Unit, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; 3Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; 4Department of Medicine and Health Science “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso, ItalyCorrespondence: Silvia BartollinoDepartment of Medicine and Health Science “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Via de Santis, Campobasso 86100, ItalyEmail silvia.bartollino@unimol.itAbstract: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common retina disease and has a relative high recurrence rate, etiology, and pathogenesis of which remains largely ambiguous. The effects on the retina are usually self-limited, although some people are left with permanent vision loss due to progressive and irreversible photoreceptor damage or retinal pigment epithelium atrophy. There have been a number of interventions used in CSC, including, but not limited to, laser treatment, photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, and subthreshold lasers. It is not clear whether there is a clinically important benefit to treating acute CSC, which often resolves spontaneously as part of its natural history. Of the interventions studied to date, PDT and micropulse laser treatment appear the most promising. Keywords: central serous chorioretinopathy, acute central serous chorioretinopathy, chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

The popliteomeniscal fascicules (PMFs) provide the attachment of the lateral meniscus to the popliteus musculotendinous region, forming the floor and the roof the popliteal hiatus. In the second half of 1900’s, some anatomic studies claim the important function of the PMF as stabilizers of the lateral meniscus; these anatomical structures work in conjunction with the popliteus musculotendinous unit to prevent excessive lateral meniscal movement and possible meniscus subluxation. A correct diagnosis of the PMFs pathology is crucial to establish the suitable surgical treatment for each patient. MRI is a well-established imaging technique in the musculoskeletal system and the frequency of recognition of normal PMF in the normal knees is high in almost all MRI studies. At day, the gold standard for diagnosis is the arthroscopic evaluation that allows the direct visualization of the popliteo-meniscal ligaments at popliteal hiatus and evaluation of lateral meniscal movements. For this reason if unstable condition of meniscus was suspected, arthroscopic observation with probing into the popliteo-meniscal fascicle area is essential for the identification of the fascicle tears. Despite many treatments have being proposed in literature since now there is high recurrence of knee locking after repair and it is fundamental to develop new surgical techniques in order to achieve better outcome. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Background and aim of the work: Bone marrow (BM) abnormalities in the spine are a common, sometimes unexpected, finding on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which is the most sensitive imaging modality to evaluate the marrow, and their interpretation can be difficult for the unexperienced radiologist. In this review, the MRI appearance of normal age-related BM changes, as well as the imaging features of benign and malignant diseases, are presented. Discussion: A large variety of BM signal alterations has been identified and described, including normal variants, BM reconversion, degenerative changes, infections, spondyloarthritis and osteonecrosis, trauma, neoplastic lesions (both primary or metastatic), post-radiation and chemotherapy sequelae. Conclusions: Knowledge of normal age-related BM appearance, normal variants and patterns of involvement in focal and diffuse bone diseases is essential, together with clinical and laboratory data, to narrow the list of the possible differential diagnoses. The radiologist should be familiar with these signal changes, as they can sometimes be discovered incidentally. In this context, it is equally important not to attribute pathological significance to benign alterations and to promptly detect signs of malignant diseases. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Francesco Semeraro,1 Francesco Morescalchi,1 Andrea Russo,1 Elena Gambicorti,1 Andrea Pilotto,2 Francesco Parmeggiani,3 Silvia Bartollino,4 Ciro Costagliola4 1Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; 2Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Neurology Unit, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; 3Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; 4Department of Medicine and Health Science “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso, ItalyCorrespondence: Silvia BartollinoDepartment of Medicine and Health Science “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Via de Santis, Campobasso 86100, ItalyEmail silvia.bartollino@unimol.itAbstract: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common retina disease and has a relative high recurrence rate, etiology, and pathogenesis of which remains largely ambiguous. The effects on the retina are usually self-limited, although some people are left with permanent vision loss due to progressive and irreversible photoreceptor damage or retinal pigment epithelium atrophy. There have been a number of interventions used in CSC, including, but not limited to, laser treatment, photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, and subthreshold lasers. It is not clear whether there is a clinically important benefit to treating acute CSC, which often resolves spontaneously as part of its natural history. Of the interventions studied to date, PDT and micropulse laser treatment appear the most promising. Keywords: central serous chorioretinopathy, acute central serous chorioretinopathy, chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

Silvia Bartollino,1 Flavia Chiosi,1 Silvio di Staso,2 Maurizio Uva,3 Arduino Pascotto,1 Michele Rinaldi,4 Jan M Keppel Hesselink,5 Ciro Costagliola1 1Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio,” University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy; 2Department of Surgical Science, Ophthalmic Clinic, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy; 3Eye Clinic, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; 4Department of Ophthalmology, University della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy; 5Department of Health, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany Abstract: Phenytoin is a non-sedative barbiturate derivate and has been recently rediscovered as a neuroprotective and retinoprotective compound in patients affected by optic neuritis secondary to multiple sclerosis. However, currently there are still no neuroprotective compounds registered and available in the clinic. We reviewed the literature supporting the retinoprotective properties of phenytoin and analyzed the various approaches and definitions from the first research periods onwards. The retinoprotective role of phenytoin was already known in the 1970s, but only recently has this effect been rediscovered, confirming that it could indeed provide structural protection of the retinal cells. Keywords: phenytoin, neuroprotection, retinoprotection, optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis&nbsp