Evaluation of prognostic factors in patients with Bell's palsy.

Background: Bell's palsy is a common neurological problem that leads to peripheral palsy of the facial nerve. Most patients have a favorable response with or without treatment while some are left with significant facial deformity. Identification of factors which influence the outcome in patients with Bell's palsy may help clinicians counsel better.

Ischemic jejunal stricture in patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction.

Ischemic jejunal stricture due to mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) rarely occurs in patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO). This is because the thrombus often occludes only a short segment of superior mesenteric vein adjacent to splenoportal confluence, facilitating development of collateral veins that protect bowel from ischemia. However, ischemic strictures can develop when the thrombus involves jejunal veins, venous arcades or vasa recta.

Idiopathic cystic artery aneurysm complicated with hemobilia.

Aneurysm of the cystic artery is not common, and it is a rare cause of hemobilia. Most of reported cases are pseudoaneurysms resulting from either an inflammatory process in the abdomen or abdominal trauma. We report a healthy individual who developed hemobilia associated with cystic artery aneurysm.

Balloon retrograde transvenous occlusion of fundic varix.

A middle-aged woman presented with massive upper gastrointestinal bleed. The source of bleeding was a large fundic varix; a large splenorenal shunt was also present. The fundic varix was treated safely and effectively with balloon retrograde transvenous occlusion.