Potential wrong-level surgery for an intra-dural thoracic spinal tumour: the importance of optimum imaging and consistency in the direction in which the level is determined.

The spectre of wrong-level surgery has many a spinal surgeon double-checking the spinal level at which an operation is being carried out especially in the thoracic spine, in the absence of abnormal-looking vertebrae which could help to identify the intended level. Getting the level wrong is easily done if there is an unusual number of vertebrae or if the direction of the count digresses from the imaging available.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage from the rupture of two intracranial aneurysms in the same day: a rare occurrence, not a myth.

The incidence of intracranial aneurysms is approximately 6% throughout the world, although it can be more prevalent in some populations than others. Subarachnoid haemorrhage from a single aneurysm rupture can be devastating, with approximately 35% of patients not regaining consciousness after the initial bleed. In some cases, patients will have two or more aneurysms at presentation, and only one of them will have bled.