Acute hemiparesis and status epilepticus following endoscopic esophageal balloon dilation: is it really a stroke?

A 68-year-old gentleman was referred for elective upper gastrointestinal endoscopy on a background of dysphagia and esophageal candidiasis. A benign peptic stricture was noted, managed with balloon dilation without apparent immediate complication. At completion, however, the patient became confused and agitated, with no improvement despite the reversal of sedation.

Modic Type 1 Vertebral Endplate Changes: Injury, Inflammation, or Infection?

Objective: In the 29 years since the initial description of Modic type 1 vertebral endplate changes there has been ongoing debate regarding their cause. Studies have attributed Modic type 1 vertebral endplate changes to traumatic injury to the vertebral endplate, localized action of proinflammatory mediators, and more recently low-grade bacterial infection. Can we reconcile these conflicting data about the underlying cause of Modic type 1 vertebral endplate changes? Are we now in a position to conclude whether Modic type 1 vertebral endplate changes are secondary to injury, inflammation, or infection?

Conclusion: We argue that the processes are not disparate but are in fact closely linked, each potentially instigating a chain of events leading to the MRI findings of Modic type 1 vertebral endplate change.

Prevalence and clinical significance of extravascular incidental findings in patients undergoing CT cervico-cerebral angiography.

Introduction: CT cervico-cerebral angiography (CTCCA) is now the first line diagnostic imaging modality for the majority of vascular pathologies of the head and neck with diagnostic value comparable to or better than traditional angiographic techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, clinical significance and management of extravascular incidental findings detected on CTCCA.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of the CTCCA reports of 302 consecutive patients from 2009 to 2013 was undertaken.