Endotracheal tuberculous stenosis: ventilation rescue and bronchography guided stenting.

We present the case of a 16-year-old female patient who presented with dyspnoea, cough and noisy breathing that progressed further in hospital with the development of stridor and severe respiratory compromise requiring mechanical ventilatory support. Investigations were consistent with a diagnosis of endotracheal tuberculosis with tracheal and bronchial stenosis. Despite adequate anti-tuberculous therapy and ventilation the patient had high airway pressures, low tidal volumes and hypercapnia, which prevented weaning from mechanical ventilation. Balloon dilatation and stenting of the 4.5cm long, 2.3mm diameter stenotic tracheal segment was performed under radiological guidance. The patient was weaned successfully from the ventilator post-procedure. This report illustrates the successful management of an uncommon presentation of a common disease with modern endoscopic therapy.

Is pneumorrhachis a poor prognostic sign in acute gangrenous abdominal emergencies?

Pneumorrhachis (air in the spinal canal) is an uncommon radiological finding. Its detection in gangrenous abdominal emergencies is rarer with uncertain prognostic significance. We illustrate the computed tomography features and assess the patient outcomes in two cases of pneumorrhachis identified in gangrenous pathologies of the abdomen (emphysematous pyelonephritis and bowel gangrene). Patient outcome was poor in the current and previously reported cases. Pneumorrhachis could be an additional imaging sign of poor prognosis in acute gangrenous abdominal emergencies.

Acute parent artery dissection as a complication of mesenteric endovascular coil embolisation for pancreatic pseudoaneurysm.

We wish to highlight arterial dissection as an unusual complication during endovascular coiling of a pancreatic pseudoaneurysm. Immediate recognition and prompt corrective measures prevented progression of this serious condition. In our patient, angioplasty prevented further propagation of the dissection and preserved coeliac artery patency.

Is bone enhancement a helpful finding in the diagnosis of convexity meningiomas?

We have assessed the enhancement of the overlying bone as a new finding in patients with convexity meningioma. This finding was present in 68.6% of cases in our series. This finding was found very helpful in the differential diagnosis of atypical and cystic meningiomas.

Iatrogenic secondary post-partum haemorrhage: apropos of two uncommon cases.

In this article we would like to highlight uterine pseudoaneurysm as a cause of secondary post-partum haemorrhage following Caesarean section. We would like to stress Doppler ultrasound scan as the initial screening modality for this condition. We also describe angioembolization as the prudent treatment option for this condition rather than resorting to surgery.