• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2001

Objective : We analysed various surgical approaches and surgical results of 28 middle cranial base tumors for the purpose of selecting optimal surgical approach to the middle cranial base tumor. Methods : In this retrospective review, 28 patients, including 16 meningioma, 6 trigeminal neurinoma, 2 pituitary adenoma, 2 craniopharyngioma, 1 facial neurinoma, and 1 metastatic tumor, underwent surgical treatment using skull base technique. Of theses, 16 tumors were mainly confined to middle cranial fossae, 5 tumors with extension into both anterior and middle fossa, and 7 tumors with extension into both middle and posterior fossa. Tumors that confined to the middle cranial fossa or extended into the anterior cranial fossa were operated with modified pterional, orbitozygomatic or Dolen'c approach, and tumors that extended into the posterior cranial fossa were operated with anterior, posterior or combined transpetrosal approach. Completeness of tumor resection, surgical outcome, postoperative complication, and follow up result were studied. Results : Total tumor removal was achieved in 9 tumors of 10 tumors that did not extended to the cavernous sinus, and was achieved in 7 tumors of 8 tumors that extended to the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. Of 10 tumors that extended to the venous channel of the cavernous sinus, only 2 were removed totally. Surgical outcome was excellent in 14 patients, good in 10, fair in 2 and poor in 2. There were no death in this series. Dumbell type tumor which extended into both middle and posterior fossae showed tendency of poor prognosis as compared with tumors that confined middle cranial fossa and extended into both anterior and middle cranial fossa. Postoperative dysfunctions were trieminal hypesthesia in 3, oculomotor nerve palsy in 2, abducens nerve palsy in 2, hemiparesis in 2, cerebellar sign in 1, facial palsy in 1 and hearing impairment in 1. Conclusion : Based on our findings and a review of the literature, we conclude that, when selecting the surgical approach to the middle cranial fossa tumors, the most important factors to be considered were exact location of the tumor mass and existence of the cavernous sinus invasion by tumor mass. We recommend modified pterional or orbitozygomatic approach in cases with tumors located anterior and middle cranial base, without cavernous sinus invasion. In cases with tumors invading into cavernous sinus, we recommend Dolen'c or orbitozygomatic approach. And in lateral wall mass and the cavernous sinus, it is preferred to approach the tumor extradurally. For the tumor involing with middle fossa and posterior fossa(dumbell type) a combined petrosal approach is necessary. In cases with cavernous sinus invasion and internal carotid artery encasement, we recommend subtotal resection of the tumor and radiation therapy to prevent permanent postoperative sequele.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.277-280
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• 2006

Extracerebral cavernous hemangiomas are rare vascular tumors that are very difficult to remove because of severe intraoperative bleeding. We report a case of 57-year-old male with extracerebral cavernous hemangioma with review of 126 cases in the literature. Patient presented with blurred vision, diplopia, numbness on the left side of his face. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well defined mass of $3{\times}4{\times}3cm$ size with heterogenous iso-or hypointensity on T1-weighted image showing strong homogenous contrast enhancement and marked hyperintensity on T2-weighted image. Digital subtraction angiography[DSA] revealed a faint tumor blush by feeders from the left internal carotid artery[ICA] and left external carotid artery[ECA] in the delayed phase. Even with profuse intratumoral bleeding, near total removal was achieved. In addition to preoperative neurologic deficits such as ophthalmoplegia, facial numbness in the V1-2 dermatomes, ptosis appeared postoperatively.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.127-130
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• 2015

A 59-year-old female presented with progressive right proptosis, chemosis and ocular pain. An imaging work-up including conventional catheter angiography showed a right-sided dural arteriovenous fistula of the cavernous sinus, which drained into the right superior petrosal sinus, right superior ophthalmic vein, and right inferior ophthalmic vein, and cortical venous reflux was seen via the right petrosal vein in the right posterior fossa. After failure of transvenous embolization, the patient underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). At one month after GKRS, she developed increasing ocular pain and occipital headache. Repeat angiography showed partial obliteration of the fistula and loss of drainage via the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins with severe congestion, resulting in slow flow around the right cerebellar hemisphere. Prompt transarterial embolization relieved the patient's ocular symptoms and headache. We report on a case of paradoxical exacerbation of symptoms resulting from obstruction of the venous outflow after GKRS for treatment of a dural arteriovenous fistula of the cavernous sinus.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.351-355
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• 2017

Prior to the advent of efficacious antimicrobial agents, the mortality rate from cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) was effectively 100%. There have been very few reports of CST associated with tooth extraction. A 40-year-old female presented to the emergency room with swelling over the right side of the face and history of extraction in the upper right region by an unregistered dental practitioner. The patient presented with diplopia, periorbital ecchymosis, and chemosis of the right eye. A computed tomography scan revealed venous dilatation of the right superior ophthalmic vein. The patient was immediately treated with incision and drainage, intravenous antibiotics, and heparin (low molecular weight). Unfortunately, the patient died two days after surgery due to complications from the disease. CST is a rare disease with a high mortality rate. Therefore, dental health education in rural areas, legal action against unregistered dental practitioners, early diagnosis, and aggressive antibiotic treatment can prevent future mortality resulting from CST.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.360-364
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• 2023

A 7-year-old castrated male Yorkshire Terrier presented for a palpable mass of the right neck with ophthalmic signs of conjunctival hyperemia and anisocoria with fixed mydriatic pupil of the right eye. Clinical examination findings included the absence of direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes, external and internal ophthalmoplegia, and corneal hypoesthesia with incomplete blinking of the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed a mass extending from the right cavernous sinus to the orbital fissure with neighboring bone lysis. Cytological examination of fine-needle aspiration samples of the mass revealed a neuroendocrine tumor. The owner declined further diagnosis and did not wish to care for the dog receiving chemotherapy. This study describes the importance of investigating neuro-ophthalmic findings, which might provide clues for the localization of lesions, including tumors, to aid in diagnosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2016

Objective : Treatment of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) remains a challenge. However, after introduction of Onyx, transarterial approach is the preferred treatment option in many centers. We report our experience of dAVFs embolization with special emphasis on transarterial approach. Methods : Seventeen embolization procedures were performed in 13 patients with dAVFs between Jan 2009 and Oct 2014. Clinical symptoms, location and type of fistulas, embolization methods, complications, radiological and clinical outcomes were evaluated using charts and PACS images. Results : All 13 patients had symptomatic lesions. The locations of fistulas were transverse-sigmoid sinus in 6, middle fossa dura in 4, cavernous sinus in 2, and superior sagittal sinus in 1 patient. Cognard types were as follows : I in 4, IIa in 2, IIa+IIb in 5, and IV in 2. Embolization procedures were performed ${\geq}2$ times in 3 patients. Nine patients were treated with transarterial Onyx embolization alone. One of these required direct surgical puncture of middle meningeal artery. Complete obliteration of fistulas was achieved in 11/13 (85%) patients. There were no complications except for 1 case of Onyx migration in cavernous dAVF. Modified Rankin scale score at post-operative 3 months were 0 in 11, and 3 in 2 patients. Conclusion : Transarterial Onyx embolization can be a first line therapeutic option in patients with dAVFs. However, transvenous approach should be tried first in cavernous sinus dAVF because of the risk of intracranial migration of liquid embolic materials. Furthermore, combined surgical endovascular approach can be considered as a useful option in inaccessible route.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.198-201
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• 2023

Invasive sphenoid sinus aspergillosis can mimic Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS), leading to frequent misdiagnoses and potentially fatal consequences. We report a case of invasive sphenoid sinus aspergillosis initially misdiagnosed as THS. A 79-year-old man presented with right periorbital pain, ophthalmoplegia, and loss of vision. Initial evaluations including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were normal. He was first diagnosed with THS based on clinical features. The disease progressed despite high-dose intravenous steroid treatment, and an enhancing mass-like lesion was found in the right orbital apex, cavernous sinus, and sphenoid sinus on follow-up MRI. Aspergillosis was eventually confirmed by sphenoid sinus biopsy. The patient developed cerebral infarction and finally died despite being treated with amphotericin B. Given that invasive sphenoid sinus aspergillosis may initially resemble THS, high suspicion and rapid histological examination are important for diagnosis.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.306-310
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• 2023

Traumatic internal carotid artery injuries can produce direct carotid-cavernous fistulas as well as giant internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms. Clinical sequelae can include headaches, cranial nerves palsies, proptosis, chemosis and optic neuropathy with visual loss as the most dangerous complication. Herein, we present a case of one of the largest reported internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms associated with a direct carotid cavernous fistula. We describe the techniques and pitfalls of treatment with parent vessel occlusion.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2023

Carotid-cavernous fistulas, characterized by abnormal arteriovenous communication within the cavernous sinus (CS), can be classified as direct or indirect. Direct fistulas are defined as a direct connection between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and CS, whereas indirect fistulas result from an abnormal connection between the CS and dural arterial branches. The first-line treatment for both types of fistulas is endovascular intervention, most commonly accomplished through the transarterial and transvenous approaches of the conventional pathway, including the ICA, inferior and superior petrosal sinuses, or basilar plexus. Nonetheless, a retrograde approach through the superior ophthalmic vein may be necessary for individuals in whom conventional endovascular treatment fails. Herein, the current principles of surgical indication and technique are presented, along with case studies.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1345-1351
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• 2000

Objective : Around the sellar area, there are many important structures. But, the optimal radiation dosage for minimal toxicity to surrounding neural tissue has not been firmly established. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the radiosurgical outcome of juxtasellar tumors and to investigate the relationship between radiation dosage and toxicity to neural tissue. Method : Between May 1992 and June 2000, we treated 65 juxtasellar tumors by using the Leksell Gamma Knife. Among them, 52 patients who could be followed more than 1 year were included in this study. The radiosurgical dosage to the optic pathway, cavernous sinus, Meckel's cave, hypothalamus, pituitary gland and stalk, and brain stem was analyzed and correlated with clinical outcome. The mean follow-up period was 33.5 months(range 12.2- 99.0 months). Result : The clinical response rate was 69.2%. The volume response rate was 61.0% and the radiologic control rate was 92.7%. There were 4 complications(7.7%) of 2 trigeminal neuropathy, 1 abducens nerve palsy, and 1 trigeminal and transient abducens nerve palsy. The optic apparatus appeared to tolerate doses greater than 10Gy. The risk of cranial nerve complications in cavernous sinus seemed to be related to doses of more than 16Gy. In 3 of 4 patients who received more than 16Gy to cavernous sinus, the abducens or trigeminal neuropathy occurred. Also, one patient who received more than 15Gy to the Meckel's cave, trigeminal neuropathy developed. The hypothalamus, pituitary gland and stalk, and brain stem were relatively tolerable to radiation. Conclusion : Gamma Knife radiosurgery seems to be an effective method to control the growth of juxtasellar tumors. To avoid injury to surrounding important neural tissue, careful dose planning and further study for radiation toxicity to neural tissue were needed.