Objective : Somatosensory evoked potentials(SSEPs) have been used widely both experimentally and clinically to monitor the function of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Studies of SSEPs have reported the various recording techniques and patterns of SSEP. The previous SSEP studies used scalp recording electrodes, showed mean vector potentials which included relatively constant brainstem potentials(far-field potentials) and unstable thalamocortical pathway potentials(near-field potentials). Even in invasive SSEP recording methods, thalamocortical potentials were variable according to the kinds, depths, and distance of two electrodes. So they were regarded improper method for monitoring of upper level of brainstem. The present study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of somatosensory evoked field potentials(SSEFPs) of the cerebral cortex that evoked by hindlimb stimulation using ball electrode and the pathways of SSEFP by recording the potentials simultaneously in the cortex, VPL nucleus of thalamus, and nucleus gracilis. Methods : In the first experiment, a specially designed recording electrode was inserted into the cerebral cortex perpendicular to the cortical surface in order to recording the constant cortical field potentials and SSEFPs mapped from different areas of somatosensory cortex were analyzed. In the second experiment, SSEPs were recorded in the ipsilateral nucleus gracilis, the contralateral ventroposterolateral thalamic nucleus(VPL), and the cerebral cortex along the conduction pathway of somatosensory information. Results : In the first experiment, we could constantly obtain the SSEFPs in cerebral cortex following the transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the hind limb, and it revealed that the first large positive and following negative waves were largest at the 2mm posterior and 2mm lateral to the bregma in the contralateral somatosensory cortex. The second experiment showed that the SSEPs were conducted by way of posterior column somatosensory pathway and thalamocortical pathway and that specific patterns of the SSEPs were recorded from the nucleus gracilis, VPL, and cerebral cortex. Conclusion : The specially designed recording electrode was found to be very useful in recording the localized SSEFPs and the transcutaneous electrical stimulation using ball electrode was effective in evoking SSEPs. The characteristic shapes, latencies, and conduction velocities of each potentials are expected to be used the fundamental data for the future study of brain functions, including the hydrocephalus model, middle cerebral artery ischemia model, and so forth.

Objectives : The mortality rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) has been reduced recently due to refinement of microsurgical technique and improved perioperative management. Also, many survivors of SAH show excellent neurological recoveries. However, we found that a high proportion of the survivors do not fully regain their premorbid status in cognitive and memory function. Object of this study is to evaluate which factors might influence on cognitive and memory impairment in ruptured aneurysmal SAH patients. Methods : In this prospective study, a series of 66 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) from 1996 to 1998, most of whom had a "good" or "fair" neurological outcome, were assessed with various tests of cognition and memory function. All patients underwent clipping operation by pterional approach. Right side approach was performed in 16 case and left 21 cases. K-WAIS(Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) was used as method of cognition and memory function test. The time interval between SAH and assessment varied between 4 months and 8 months, averaging 6.2 months. Statistical analyses were carried out for each test score to see whether aneurysm site(A-com : non A-com), route of approach, age and sex, vasospasm, Hunt-Hess grade and Fisher CT group at admission, Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) at discharge affect cognitive and memory function. Results : Aneurysm site was not shown to be associated with performance on any test, and the initial grade (Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher CT group) of SAH and vasospasm had only minimal predictive values. The grade at discharge( GOS) was proved to be the best predictor of impairment of cognition and memory function within 1 year after operation. Conclusion : The authors conclude that the diffuse effects of SAH are more important than focal neuropathology in relation to cognitive impairment in this group of patients.

Delayed cerebral infarction after resection of craniopharyngioma is a uncommon entity, but leads to high morbidity and mortality. We present 3 such cases and discuss the etiology and pathogenesis with review of pertinent literatures. In our cases, delayed deterioration of consciousness was observed in all cases. All of them expired. The cause may be multifactorial and the surgical approach may contribute to the pathogenesis of delayed cerebral infarction. We suspect vasospasm might be the major mechanism of pathogenesis. Vessels were primed to spasm during operation due to blood in the cistern or mechanical injury. Vasoactive materials may have been liberated from the pituitary stalk or injured hypothalamus, either at the time of surgery, or later, after portions of tumor have undergone necrosis. The high degree of suspicion to detect vasospasm should be done in the case of the delayed deterioration of mental status at an early stage of craniopharyngioma surgery. Possible mechanism underlying this delayed cerebral infarction are discussed.

Introduction : It has been reported that the survival of low-grade glioma patients depends upon the time of malignant transformation. The authors presents the clinical analysis of histologically proven trasformed gliomas. Materials and Method : A total 92 patients who were consecutively treated and histologically confirmed hemispheric low-grade gliomas between 1980 and 1998 were analyzed and followed. All cases meet the criteria of WHO glioma classification of grade II. Results : The mean follow-up period was 73 months. Twenty two among 92 cases(24%) were histologically proven to be transformed into malignant ones. The mean time to transformation was 56 months. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates of the transformed group were 66% and 30% respectively and significantly different from the survival rates of the non-transformed group(p=0.0018). Among clinical factors at presentation, the initial tumor volume had a tendency to be larger in the transformed group than that of the non-transformed group and became significant when it was divided into more than $30cm^3$ or not(p=0.02). Among therapeutic factors, the extent of removal had no influence on the rate of malignant transformation. But postoperative radiation therapy were more frequently given to the pre-transformed group than the non-transformed group and the frequency was significantly different(p=0.02). Conclusions : The authors had found that the initial tumor volume and radiation therapy could be clinical prognostic factors for the malignant transformation of low-grade gliomas.

Objective : In this study, we investigated the relationship between the histologic grading of meningiomas and proliferative potentials determined by the Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and flow cytometry (FCM) with the aim of determining whether these potentials can be used as a parameter to the proliferative activity, in particular of atypical and malignant meningiomas. Methods : This study consisted of 47 meningiomas(6 malignant, 14 atypical, and random sampled 27 benign meningiomas). By immunohistochemical staining of Ki-67 and PCNA on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections, the anti-human rabbit polyclonal antibody against Ki-67 antigen and anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody(PC10) scores were counted. FCM was also performed on paraffin-embedded tissue using a selective staining technique for DNA. DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction, and proliferative index(PI)) were determined. Results : The results are summarized as follows ; 1) Proliferation rates as assessed by Ki-67 and PCNA closely correlated with the degree of anaplastic histologic features. 2) Proliferative potentials determined by FCM(S-phase fraction and PI) were not able to distinguish between benign and atypical/malignant meningiomas. 3) DNA ploidy was not a useful indicator of histologic grade in these tumors. 4) Proliferative potentials such as Ki-67 staining index(SI) and PCNA SI did not correlate with the ploidy pattern. 5) There was a linear correlation between Ki-67 SI and PCNA SI, but we could not find a correlation between Ki-67 SI and S-phase fraction or PI. Our results also did not show a statistically signficant correlation between PCNA SI and S-phse fraction or PI. Conclusions : We conclude that evaluation of the proliferative potentials with Ki-67 and PCNA is important as an additional factor for the prediction of malignancy in meningiomas. A dual study of Ki-67 and PCNA SIs on the same tissue might improve the accuracy with which the proliferative potential of a tumor can be predicted. We demonstrated that FCM in meningiomas is not valuable in predicting the behavior of these neoplasms, but we did observe a trend toward more malignancy with higher percent S-phase fraction and higher PI. Analysis of the S-phase fraction and PI might therefore be a useful tool to discriminate among histologic grades of meningiomas.

Objectives : Anterior tunnelling technique consist of anterior cervical fractional interspace decompression without fusion. This method provides sufficient space for adequate neuroforaminal decompression but avoids the need for fusion or fixation. We report early clinical results of 32 cases that underwent anterior tunnelling operation for treatment of cervical radiculopathy. Methods : This method is identical to conventional approach until the exposure of anterior cervical body and bilateral retraction of longus colli is made. A vertical window is then made at the vertebral bodies and disc space lateral to the insertion site of the longus colli. The window is deepened with drilling that follows a tunnelling fashion down to the compressive lesion. We analyzed clinical results from 32 patients who treated between December 1998 and August 2000. Results : Satisfactory results were obtained in 87% of the patients. Two patients required revision surgery. None revealed surgical spinal instability on last follow-up. Conclusion : Anterior tunnelling operation is an acceptable surgical option for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy. Its advantages are short hospitalization, minimal postoperative discomfort, and technical feasibility.

Objectives : Meningeal hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumor. Clinical and radiological features are similar to those of an ordinary meningioma. But its biological behavior is quite different from those of a meningioma as it brings profuse bleeding in the operation field, frequent recurrence and metastasis to other systemic organs even in the case of gross total resection. In order to find out the prognostic factors and to compare longterm outcome after various treatment modalities, the authors reviewed consecutive 20 operated cases of meningeal hemangiopericytoma to characterize their clinical features, surgical outcomes and effectiveness of the radiation therapy. Methods : Twenty patients with a hemangiopericytoma were treated between 1982 and 1999 in our department. They are composed of 13 patients of hemangiopericytoma and 7 patients who were initially diagnosed as angioblastic type meningioma and then confirmed as a hemangiopericytoma after review of their previous histopathology slides. The mean follow-up period was 99 months(1-256 months). The long-term outcomes after various treatment modalities were evaluated according to recurrence-free survival and image follow-up. Recurrence-free survival curves are compared between the patient groups according to the extent of removal and radiation therapy. Results : There were 10 cases of recurrence and 4 cases of distant metastases ; lung, liver and femur(2 cases) respectively. The 5-year recurrence rate was 37%, while the 10-year recurrence rose to 77%. There was also statistically significant difference of median recurrence-free survival between the completely-resected group(Simpson grade 1 or 2) and partially-resected group(Simpson grade 3 or 4 or 5) ; 137 months compared to 47 months, respectively(p=0.009). The median recurrence-free period after subtotal resection of tumor and postoperative radiotherapy was 47 months compared to 117 months of the patients who underwent gross total resection of tumor and did not receive radiotherapy. But radiation therapy alone did not show significant difference in recurrence-free survival. Marked tumor volume reduction and easy removal of tumors without bleeding were found in 2 recurred cases. Conclusion : The extent of tumor resection and presence of metastasis are the most important factors related to long-term outcome of the patients with hemangiopericytoma. Radiation therapy after the first operation did not have a role in extending the recurrence-free survival, but it affected favorably to decrease the size of residual mass and intraoperative bleeding during the second operation.

Objectives : An in vitro biomechanical study of posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF) with threaded cage using two different approaches was performed on eighteen functional spinal units of bovine lumbar spines. The purpose of this study was to compare the segmental stiffnesses among PLIF with one long posterolateral cage, PLIF with one long posterolateral cage and simultaneous facet joint fixation, and PLIF with two posterior cages. Methods : Eighteen bovine lumbar functional spinal units were divided into three groups. All specimens were tested intact and with cage insertion. Group 1(n=12) had a long threaded cage($15{\times}36mm$) inserted posterolaterally and oriented counter anterolaterally on the left side by posterior approach with left unilateral facetectomy. Group 2(n=6) had two regular length cages($15{\times}24mm$) inserted posteriorly with bilateral facetectomy. Six specimens from group 1 were then retested after unilateral facet joint screw fixation in neutral(group 3). Likewise, the other six specimens from group 1 were retested after fixation with a facet joint screw in an extended position(group 4). Nondestructive tests were performed in pure compression, flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torsion. Results : PLIF with a single cage, group 1, had a significantly higher stiffnesses than PLIF with two cages, group 2, in left and right torsion(p<0.05). Group 1 showed higher stiffness values than group 2 in pure compression, flexion, left and right bending but were not significantly different. Group 3 showed a significant increase in stiffness in comparison to group 1 for pure compression, extension, left bending and right torsion(p<0.05). For group 4, the stiffness significantly increased in comparison to group 1 for extension, flexion and right torsion(p<0.05). Although there was no significant difference between groups 3 and 4, group 4 had increased stiffness in extension, flexion, right bending and torsion. Conclusion : Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with a single long threaded cage inserted posterolaterally with unilateral facetectomy enables sufficient decompression while maintaining a majority of the posterior elements. In combination with a facet joint screw fixation, adequate postoperative stability can be achieved. We suggest that posterolateral insertion of a long threaded cage is biomechanically an ideal alternative to PLIF.

Objective : Although surgical clipping of intracranial aneurysm is the definite method of treatment, there remains a small number of patients in whom surgical clipping is not technically possible. In such difficult cases, surgeon has to consider other therapeutic alternatives. In this report, we analyze our aneurysmal cases treated by wrapping and coating method and evaluate their surgical outcome and follow-up results. Method : Among the total of 877 patients operated from 1990 to 1999 for intracranial aneurysms at our hospital, 40 cases(4.6%) were treated by wrapping and coating method. They included 24 cases of single ruptured aneurysms and 16 with unruptured ones in multiple aneurysms. Wrapping with temporalis muscle and/or muslin gauze and coating with bioadhesive agent such as fibrin glue were performed. Result : Wrapping and coating method was performed mostly to the anterior communicating artery aneurysm (35%), and mostly because of the broad-based neck of an aneurysm(43%). At the time of discharge, 30 out of 40 patients(80%) showed favourable outcome and three cases died. The patients were monitored for average of 37 months(3-75 months). Among 24 cases with single ruptured aneurysm, 4 cases(17%) had early rebleeding within 6 months from the initial hemorrhage, and such rebleeding occurred within the first postoperative month in 3 cases. However, there was no rebleeding after the 6 months. Among 16 patients whose aneurysms were unruptured ones, none of them showed bleeding episode. Conclusion : It seems likely that the wrapping and coating method would be some help to prevent the rebleeding of an intracranial aneurysm. In order to obtain more accurate results regarding the efficacy of such method, it will be necessary to perform a multi-center study for longer follow-up periods and various wrapping and coating materials.

Objectives : Aspergillosis of central nervous system(CNS) is a rare pathologic condition and it has been known to be difficult to diagnose and treat. We analyzed seven cases of central nervous system aspergillosis. The clinical characteristics, and the problems in diagnosis and treatment are discussed with review of previous literatures. Material and Methods : We reviewed the clinical records, radiological findings, and pathologic reports of 7 patients with aspergillosis which involved CNS. Results : Five patients were immunocompetent, and infection was related with previous operation in 4 of them. Two patients were immunocompromised and had no history of operation. Five patients had intracranial lesions and two had spinal lesions. Mean duration from the onset of initial symptom to pathologic diagnosis was 2.4 months. Mean duration from the previous operation to the onset of symptom was 9.3 months, and from the onset of symptom to diagnosis was 2.9 months in the patients who had histories of operation. All of them were treated with surgical procedures and intravenous and oral antifungal agents, resulting in cure in 6 cases. Mean duration of the treatment was 4.9 months. Conclusion : Because aspergillosis of CNS is a rare disease and is difficult to be differentiated from the pyogenic abscess or recurrent tumor, the pathologic diagnosis is very important for adequate treatment. Although the prognosis of aspergillosis of CNS has been known to be poor, adequate surgery for both diagnosis and treatment and antifungal chemotherapy resulted in good outcome.

Objective : The brain temperature is about $0.4-1^{\circ}C$ higher than that of the other peripheral body area. But most of these results have been obtained in normothermic condition. The objective of this study is to evaluate the temperature difference between the brain and axilla, in patients under hypothermia. Methods : Sixty-three patients(37 women and 26 men) who underwent craniotomy with implantation of the thermal diffusion flowmetry sensor were included in this study. The temperature of the cerebral cortex and axilla was measured every 2 hours, simultaneously. The patient group was divided according to axillary temperature hyperthermia( over $38^{\circ}C$), normothermia($36-38^{\circ}C$) and hypothermia(under $36^{\circ}C$). Total 1671 paired sample data were collected and analyzed. Results : The temperature difference between the cerebral cortex and the axilla was $0.45{\pm}1.04^{\circ}C$ in hyperthermic patients, $0.97{\pm}1.1^{\circ}C$ in normothermic patients and $1.04{\pm}0.81^{\circ}C$ in hypothermic patients. The temperature difference has statistical significance in each group(unpaired t-test, p<0.05). Conclusion : From our study the temperature difference between the brain and the axilla in hypothermic condition increased more than that of normothermic state. And in hyperthermic condition, the temperature difference decreased.

Objective : Percutaneous vertebroplasty is often complicated by the presence of multiple fractures or non-localizing pain in the patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The purpose of this study is to estimate the value of preoperative radiologic studies in the localization of symptomatic vertebrae and to determine the factors which can influence on the clinical results. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiologic data of 57 vertebrae in 30 patients underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Inclusion criteria was severe pain(McGill-Melzack score 3, 4 or 5) associated with the acute vertebral fractures and absence of spinal nerve root or cord compression sign. Acute symptomatic vertebral fracture was determined by the presence of signal change on MR images or increased uptake on whole body bone scan. Results : Pain improvement was obtained immediately in all patients and favorable result was sustained in 26 patients(86.7%) during the mean follow-up duration of 4.7 months(5 complete pain relief, 21 marked pain relief). Those who underwent vertebroplasty for all acute symptomatic vertebrae had significantly better clinical result than those who did not. Further vertebral collapse and eventual bursting fracture occurred in 1 vertebra which showed intradiskal leakage of bone cement and disruption of cortical endplate on postoperative CT scan. Conclusion : Preoperative MR imaging and whole body bone scan are very useful in determining the symptomatic vertebrae, especially in the patients with multiple osteoporotic vertebral fractures. To obtain favorable clinical result, the careful radiologic evaluation as well as clinical assessment is required. Control of PMMA volume seems to be the most critical point for avoiding complications.

Primary melanotic schwannoma in spinal cord is a very uncommon disorder, eight cases of melanotic schwannoma in spinal cord have been found in the literature. We present a case report of a patient with an intradural, extramadullary melanotic schwannoma in cervical spine and the literature on melanotic schwannoma is reviewed. The proposed theories on the origin of these tumors and treatment are discussed.

The authors report a case of cholesterol granuloma in the sphoid sinus in 54-year old woman, which is probably the first report of cholesterol granuloma arising primarily in the sphenoid sinus apart from the petrous bone. The initial clinical presentations were unilateral decreased visual acuity and facial sensory change. The mass was removed totally via transsphenoidal route and the pathological examination revealed cholesterol clefts and chronic granulomatous changes. The differences between the present case and the previous reports are discussed.

Multiple intracranial tumors of different cell types are rare. We report a case of double primary intracranial tumors of different histologic types : oligodendroglioma, and pituitary adenoma. Von Recklinghausen's disease or other etiologic factors supposedly associated with multiple brain tumors were not recognized in this 36-year-old male patient.

Intraventricular arachnoid cyst has been rarely reported. Here we present two cases of symptomatic intraventricular arachnoid cysts in the fourth ventricle and right lateral ventricle. The first patient was a 38-year-old female who complained of headache and left facial hypesthesia. Computed tomography and MR scan revealed large cystic lesion in the fourth ventricle. After cyst wall removal, facial hypesthesia disappeared immediately and headache improved slowly. The second patient was a 9-year-old girl who complained of headache, vomiting and paresthesia in her right low extremity. Cystic lesion in the right lateral ventricle was detected in the CT and MR scan. The symptoms improved after cyst wall removal. Surgical findings of these two cases showed that the cyst walls were attached firmly to the choroid plexus. Symptomatic intraventricular arachnoid cyst must be treated appropriately and we recommend complete cyst wall removal.

Oligodendrogiomas account for about 4 per cent of intracranial gliomas and surgery is known to be an essential first step to establish an accurate diagnosis and when oligodendrogliomas recur with or without anaplastic features after initial resection, radiation and chemotherapy consisting of the administration of procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine are usually indicated. We report our experience of an excellent result with intraventricular methotrexate chemotherapy for a patient with disseminated anaplastic oligodendroglioma. A 29-year-old male patient presented with diplopia and headache for two months. MRI showed a irregular, faintly enhanced mass in the posterior fossa. The hisotological diagnosis was an anaplaplastic oligodendroglioma and he was treated with chemotherapy of PCV regimen and radiotherapy followed by surgery. CSF dissemination was revealed by a follow-up MRI during the period. Intraventricular methotrexate(0.175mg/kg) was given twice a week for 4 weeks through ommaya reservoir and the size of the multiple tumors was decreased significantly on follow-up MRI. This case report suggests that an aggressive treatment involving intravent-ricular chemotherapy may be helpful even when anaplastic oligodendrogliomas disseminates to leptomeninges.

Thirty nine-year-old man who required urgent shunt operation due to rapidly deteriorating visual acuity suffered from ventriculitis after aneurysmal operation. Daily dose of 20mg of vancomycin and amikyn were given intraventricularly via external ventricular catheter after failure of various kinds of systemic antibiotics. The exit of the catheter was made on the upper chest wall to prevent superinfection. External ventricular drainage could finally be switched to ventriculo-peritoneal shunt and he was discharged with clinical improvement.

We report a case of 15 year-old female patient with a ossified chronic epidural hematoma. She had had head trauma 10 weeks previously and conservative care for delayed onset epidural hematoma at other hospital. Ossification was identified about 4 weeks after head injury and then progressed rapidly. We removed the chronic epidural hematoma with thick capsule and newly formed bone. The mechanism of the ossification associated with cephalhematoma and chronic subdural hematoma is reviewed and discussed.

Cavernous angiomas are being increasingly well recognized throughout the central nervous system due to the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). However, these malformations are uncommon in the spinal column and rarely occur in the spinal cord. Here, we report a case of a cervical cord intramedullary cavernous angioma in a 49-year-old man. The patient had complained of left upper extremity paresthesia and weakness in the left hand for 5 days prior to admission. A neurological examination showed a left C-6 dermatome paresthesia and a weakness in the left hand grasping power. A MRI demonstrated a mixed signal intensity core at the C-5 level and a surrounding edema on the T-2 weighted image. Conservatively, a laminectomy was performed and slightly hard and well demarcated intramedullary mass was removed. A histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a cavernous angioma.