Primary aortic tumors are rare, difficult to diagnose, and often fatal. This case and a review of the literature identified aortic tumors as a potential source of emboli leading to acute mesenteric insufficiency. The case showed the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing and determining the extent and location of an aortic tumor.

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Cerebral air embolism occurred in a patient undergoing trigeminal rhizotomy in the sitting position. During the acute episode, a murmur was detected by the Doppler probe and foam was aspirated from the central venous catheter. The patient did not regain consciousness postoperatively, and computerized tomography demonstrated diffuse cerebral infarction. Subsequently, the patient died, and neuropathological examination revealed multifocal discrete infarcts in the gray and white matter with normal intervening brain. No intracardiac septal defects were present. This is the first fully documented case of cerebral air embolism of venous origin in the absence of intracardiac septal defects, and reemphasizes the hazards of operative procedures in the sitting position.

The incidence of primary intracranial glioblastoma multiforme originating in the pineal region is exceedingly rare. Diffuse leptomeningeal involvement, including spinal subarachnoid metastases, by a primary glioblastoma multiforme of the pineal region has not been reported. A report of a case of primary glioblastoma multiforme of the pineal region accompanied by diffuse leptomeningeal and nodular spinal subarachnoid metastases is presented. Extensive evaluation of the complete neuraxis, including histologic examination, in all cases of primary pineal neoplasm appears to be of both diagnostic and therapeutic value.