Delayed C.N.S. complications.

Patients with esophageal stricture being treated with dilatation, who developed esophageal perforation or local peritonitis and subsequent central nervous system infection, are reviewed. It is suggested that the vertebral venous system may be the route by which the metastatic infection is carried. Physicians caring for patients with esophageal stricture, who are receiving dilatation, should be aware of the possible intracranial complications and should be alert to the first sign of central nervous system abnormality.