• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1126-1135
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• 2000

Objectives : The goal of surgical management of cerebral arteriovenous malformation(AVM) is elimination of the lesion without development of new neurological deficits. To improve the management results of cerebral AVMs in the future, this article discusses about surgical complications of the AVM and their management. Material and Methods : During the past 18 years, 116 patients with cerebral AVMs were managed by surgery. Among these cases, 7 cases died, 7 cases developed new neurological deficits, 11 cases residual AVM and 5 cases intracerebral hematoma(ICH) after surgery. The author analyzes the causes of those complications and investigates the methods to minimized those complications based on the review of the literatures. Results : One stage removal of AVM and ICH in the poor neurological state were performed in 5 of 7 death cases. Subtotal removal of ICH followed by delayed AVM surgery after recovery is regard as one method to improve the outcome of patient with large ICH. Postoperative new neurological deficits developed owing to normal perfusion pressure breakthrough(NPPB) in 3, judgement error in 2, preoperative embolization in 1 and cortical injury in 1 case(s). Proper management of NPPB, accurate anatomical knowledge and physiological monitoring during operation, and well trained skill for embolization are regard as methods to minimize those complications. Residual AVMs after surgery were noticed in 11 cases, in which unintended 6 cases due to inaccurate dissection of peripheral margin of AVM, and intended 3 cases due to massive brain swelling during operation, 1 cases due to diffuse type and 1 case due to multiple type of AVM. Accurate dissection of peripheral margin of AVM and mild hypotension during operation may help to avoid this complication. Postoperative hemorrhage occurred in 3 cases due to rupture of the residual AVM and in 2 cases due to oozing from the AVM bed. Complete resection of AVM, complete control of bleeding points at AVM bed and mild hypotension during early postoperative period are the methods to avoid this complication. Conclusion : A precise but flexible therapeutic strategy and refined skill for endovascular, radiosurgical and microsurgical techniques are required to successful treatment of cerebral AVM. Adequate timing of AVM resection, accurate anatomical knowledge, proper management of NPPB and accurate dissection of peripheral margin of AVM are the key points for avoiding complications of the AVM surgery.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.971-977
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• 2015

Malignant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor and despite recent advances in diagnostics and treatment prognosis remains poor. In this retrospective study, we assessed the clinical and radiological parameters, as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of 1p19q deletion, in a series of cases. A total of 816 patients with GBM who received surgery and radiation between January 2010 and May 2014 were included in this study. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to find the factors independently influencing patient progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Age at diagnosis, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, KPS score change at 2 weeks after operation, neurological deficit symptoms, tumor resection extent, maximal tumor diameter, involvement of eloquent cortex or deep structure, involvement of brain lobe, Ki-67 and MMP9 expression level and adjuvant chemotherapy were statistically significant factors (p<0.05) for both PFS and OS in the univariate analysis. Cox proportional hazards modeling revealed that age ${\leq}50$ years, preoperative KPS score ${\geq}80$, KPS score change after operation ${\geq}0$, involvement of single frontal lobe, deep structure involvement, low Ki-67 and MMP9 expression and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent favorable factors (p<0.05) for patient clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.445-468
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• 2000

Background: Retrograde cerebral perfusion(RCP) is currently used for brain protection during aorta surgery, however, for the safety of it, various data published so far are insufficient. We performed RCP using pig and investiaged various parameters of cerebral metabolism and brain injury after RCP under deep hypothermia. Material and Method: We used two experimental groups: in group I(7 pigs, 20 kg), we performed RCP for 120 minutes and in group II (5 pigs, 20 kg), we did it for 90 minutes. Nasopharyngeal temperature, jugular venous oxygen saturation, electroencephalogram were continuously monitored, and we checked the parameters of cerebral metabolism, histological changes and serum levels of neuron-specific enolose(NSE) and lactic dehydrogenase(LDH). Central venous pressure during RCP was mainained in the range of 25 to 30 mmHg. Result: Perfusion flow rates(ml/min) during RCP were 130$\pm$57.7(30 minutes), 108.6$\pm$55.2(60 minutes), 107.1$\pm$58.8(90 minutes), 98.6$\pm$58.7(120 minutes) in group I and 72$\pm$11.0(30 minutes), 72$\pm$11.0(60 minutes), 74$\pm$11.4(90 minutes) in group II. The ratios of drain flow to perfusion flow were 0.18(30 minutes), 0.19(60 minutes), 0.17(90 minutes), 0.16(120 minutes) in group I and 0.21, 0.20, 0.17 in group II. Oxygen consumptions(ml/min) during RCP were 1.80$\pm$1.37(30 minutes), 1.72$\pm$1.23(60 minutes), 1.38$\pm$0.82(90 minutes), 1.18$\pm$0.67(120 minutes) in group I and 1.56$\pm$0.28(30 minutes), 1.25$\pm$0.28(60 minutes), 1.13$\pm$0.26(90 minutes). We could observe an decreasing tendency of oxygen consumption after 90 minutes of RCP in group I. Cerebrovascular resistance(dynes.sec.cm-5) during RCP in group I incrased from 71370.9$\pm$369145.5 to 83920.9$\pm$49949.0 after the time frame of 90 minutes(p<0.05). Lactate(mg/min) appeared after 30 minutes of RCP and the levels were 0.15$\pm$0.07(30 minutes), 0.18$\pm$0.10(60 minutes), 0.19$\pm$0.19(90 minutes), 0.18$\pm$0.10(120 minutes) in group I and 0.13$\pm$0.09(30 minutes), 0.19$\pm$0.03(60 minutes), 0.29$\pm$0.11(90 minutes) in group II. Glucose utilization, exudation of carbon dioxide, differences of cerebral tissue acidosis between perfusion blood and drain blood were maintained constantly during RCP. Oxygen saturation levels(%) in drain blood during RCP were 22.9$\pm$4.4(30 minutes), 19.2$\pm$4.5(60 minutes), 17.7$\pm$2.8(90 minutes), 14.9$\pm$2.8(120 minutes) in group I and 21.3$\pm$8.6(30 minutes), 20.8$\pm$17.6(60 minutes), 21.1$\pm$12.1(90 minutes) in group II. There were no significant changes in cerebral metabolic parameters between two groups. Differences in serum levels of NSE and LDH between perfusion blood and drain blood during RCP showed no statistical significance. Serum levels of NSE and LDH after resuming of cardipulmonary bypass decreased to the level before RCP. Brain water contents were 0.73$\pm$0.03 in group I and 0.69$\pm$0.06 in group II and were higher than those of the controls(p<0.05). The light microscopic findings of cerebral neocortex, basal ganglia, hippocampus(CA1 region) and cerebellum showed no evidence of cerebral injury in two groups and there were no different electron microscopy in both groups(neocortex, basal ganglia and hippocampus), but they were thought to be reversible findings. Conclusion: Although we did not proceed this study after survival of pigs, we could perform the RCP successfully for 120 minutes with minimal cerebral metabolism and no evidence of irreversible brain damage. The results of NSE and LDH during and after RCP should be reevaluated with survival data.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.718-723
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• 2008

Background: The advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia management, perfusion methodology and postoperative intensive care have markedly decreased the mortality and cardiac morbidity of patients who undergo heart surgery over the past 2 decades. Nevertheless, it is well recognized that cardiac surgery carries a substantial risk for central nervous system complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical cerebrovascular lesions in the head and neck by performing magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and we investigated the clinical course of patients who had abnormal lesion seen on head and neck MRA. Material and Method: The subjects were 107 patients (71 men and 36 women ranging in age from 21 to 83 years) who were scheduled for cardiac surgery under nonemergency conditions between October 2005 and June 2008. Informed consent was obtained before the MRA. The carotid arteries, intracranial arteries and brain parenchyme were examined for subclinical cerebrovascular lesions by performing MRA. We reviewed the patients' medical records and MR findings to evaluate the prevalence of neurologically high risk patients and their clinical course. Result: The overall prevalence of neurologically high risk patients was 15.7% (17 patients). Among these patients, 11 patients had ischemic heart disease and 6 patients had valvular heart disease. Only 2 patients had a history of cerebrovascular disease. The clinical courses of 14 patients (13.1%) were changed according to their MRI findings. Conclusion: The prevalence of subclinical cerebrovascular disease in patients who were scheduled for cardiac surgery was higher than was expected. MR angiography was of value to identify these patients.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2009

Lung cancer is the most common primary tumor of brain metastasis. Metastasis to the brain is a frequent complication of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) occuring in 12 ~ 18% of patient. The incidence of brain metastasis is rising because of longer survival of cancer patients as a result of the increase in early diagnosis of primary tumors and aggressive management, and improvements in imaging quality and accessibility such as widespread use of MRI. The most common symptoms are gradual onset of headache, focal weakness, and mental changes. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and steroid therapy are treatment of NSCLC with brain metastasis. We report a patient with NSCLC metastasis to the brain. This patient underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and steroidtherapy. However, the patient requested oriental medical treatment for the patient's continuous headache and disease. We administered Banhabaekchulchoenma-tang gagambang with Allergen-removed Rhus Verniciflua Stokes(aRVS). The patient showed remarkable improvement in terms of frequency and severity of headache. Further study will be needed in order to determine the long-term effectiveness of oriental medical treatment on cancer patient with headache.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2001

Objective : Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein adds telomere repeats to the ends of telomeres to compensate for the progressive loss. A favorable prognosis associated with low or no telomerase activity in some tumors, and cells transfected with antisense human telomerase lost telomeric repeats and die. We studied about the relationship between telomerase activity and apoptosis in the human brain tumors. Material and Methods : Between July 1998 and December 1999, 62 patients with brain tumors underwent surgery and their surgical specimens were obtained. Telomerase activity was investigated by telomeric repeats amplification protocol(TRAP) assay. Apoptosis was also evaluated by DNA fragmentation analysis. Differences and correlation in data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon-signed rank test. Results : Expression rate of telomerase activity and apoptosis were 80% and 30% in malignant gliomas, 33% and 0% in low grade gliomas, 63% and 38% in meningiomas, 67% and 33% in pituitary adenomas, 33% and 33% in metastatic tumors, 67% and 17% in acoustic neurinomas, 100% and 100% in pineoblastomas, 100% and 0% in the hemangioblastoma, respectively. There was no significant difference of telomerase activity and apoptosis between histological types. But a significant difference was noted in the expression of telomerase activity between malignant gliomas and low grade gliomas(p = 0.022). Brain tumors with telomerase activity expressed the lower rate of apoptosis. A significant correlation was also found between telomerase activity and absence of apoptosis in the human brain tumors(p = 0.005). Conclusions : Our data suggests that telomerase may protect from apoptosis of the human brain tumors and also may play an important role in the biological malignancy of the gliomas.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 2023

A brain abscess is a potentially life-threatening infection of the brain that can be challenging to diagnose, especially in children. In this report, we describe a case of a central nervous system infection caused by rare pathogens in an immunocompetent child. A 10-year-old female presented with a severe headache lasting 10 days, along with flashing lights, nausea, and vomiting. The patient was diagnosed with secundum atrial septal defect 7 years ago and underwent dental work for cavities one month prior to admission. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 4.2 cm sized brain abscess in the right parietal lobe, causing left inferior quadrantanopia. A craniotomy and abscess aspiration surgery were performed, and cultures from the aspirated pus and tissue revealed Aggregatibacter aphrophilus. Additionally, Actinomyces georgiae was identified through 16S rRNA sequencing. After 8 weeks of antimicrobial therapy with ampicillin-sulbactam, the patient was discharged without any complications. A follow-up brain MRI showed complete resolution of the abscess and edema.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.129-131
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• 2007

Intracranial epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is extremely rare. We report a case of intracranial epithelioid hemangioendothelioma which developed in a 55-year-old man who presented with dysarthria for two weeks. The brain computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance image showed masses which had fat component at the left frontal convexity and at left posterior parietal area. Excisional biopsy at the left frontal convexity confirmed epithelioid hemangioendothelioma which is immunopositive for CD31, supporting endothelial differentiation, and negative for CD68, SMA and HMB-45.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.112-115
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• 2011

Several reports have investigated airway obstruction caused by redundancy of arytenoid mucosa. Flexible laryngoscope examination revealed prolapse of the mucosa overlying the arytenoid. Usually, pharyngeal or laryngeal microscopic procedures can successfully treat the redundancy of arytenoid mucosa. We experienced two cases of airway obstruction caused by redundancy of artenoid mucosa and report it with review of literatures.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.188-191
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• 2010

A postoperative contralateral supra- and infratentorial epidural hematoma after decompressive surgery is an extremely rare event. We describe a 38-year-old male with a contralateral supra- and infratentorial acute epidural hematoma just after decompressive surgery for an acute subdural hematoma. A contralateral skull fracture involving a lambdoidal suture and an intraoperative brain protrusion may be warning signs. The mechanisms, along with relevant literature, are discussed.