Background Anas barbariae hepatis et cordis extractum 200K (Oscillococcinum®) is used to treat and prevent seasonal colds and airway inflammatory affections, improve symptom control, and reduce the frequency of respiratory tract infection (RTI) episodes. The objective of this controlled observational study is to investigate, from the Italian National Health Service (NHS) point of view, the role...

Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital anomaly associated with the heart positioned outside of the thoracic cavity either partially or completely. It can be associated with other congenital abnormalities. Overall, the prognosis for infants with ectopia cordis is very poor but depends greatly on the type and severity of ectopia cordis and intracardiac and associated malformations. We present one ca...

PURPOSE To demonstrate the cross-sectional anatomy in acute commotio retinae. METHODS A 27-year-old male with unilateral decreased vision after acute blunt ocular trauma, was examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS Visual acuity was 20/20 OD and 20/50 OS. Fundus examination OS demonstrated a mild edema in the papillomacular and foveal area. OCT confirmed a separation of the ...

We studied 21 patients who presented with a diagnosis of pentalogy of Cantrell. Their mean age was 40 days. All patients presented with congenital heart disease. Six presented with ectopia cordis. Every patient was subjected to echocardiography. Double outlet right ventricle, an atrial septal defect and dextrocardia were seen in 5 patients (24%). Four patients survived. Seventeen died, 12 from ...

Cardiac contusions (contusio cordis) usually appear in penetrating thoracic trauma or high energy blunt trauma and only rarely in thoracic blunt trauma in homicidal context. The diagnosis could be easy if a traumatic context is/can be proven; if not the differential diagnosis with myocardial infarction, other causes of cardiac hemorrhages or post resuscitation cardiac trauma can be very difficu...

We report on a preterm male newborn with complete ectopia cordis associated with Cantrell's syndrome. The neonate had an ectopia cordis involving defects of the lower sternum, supraumbilical abdominal wall, anterior portion of the diaphragm, and diaphragmatic portion of the pericardium associated with complex congenital heart defects. The infant died shortly after birth. We discuss this case an...