• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.301-306
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to compare Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT with MRI after acute and subacute closed-head injury. There were thirty two focal lesions in all cases of these. Fifteen lesions(47%) were seen on both MRI and SPECT. Fourteen lesions(44%) were seen only on MRI. Three lesions(9%) were seen only on SPECT. Of the 14 lesions seen only on MRI, one was epidural hematoma, two were subdural hematoma, three were subdural hygroma, one was intracerebral hematoma, four were contusion, and three were diffuse axonal injuries. SPECT detected 52% of the focal lesions found on MRI. For the detection of lesions, MRI was superior to SPECT in fourteen cases, while SPECT was superior to MRI in three cases. In conclusion, there was a tendency that detection rate of the traumatic lesions was higher on MRI, but the SPECT could delineate more wide extent of lesion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.367-369
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• 2012

Terson syndrome was originally used to describe a vitreous hemorrhage arising from aneurysmal subrarachnoid hemorrhage. Terson syndrome can be caused by intracranial hemorrhage, subdural or epidural hematoma and severe brain injury but is extremely rare in intraventricular hemorrhage associated with moyamoya disease. A 41-year-old man presented with left visual disturbance. He had a history of intraventicular hemorrhage associated with moyamoya disease three months prior to admission. At that time he was in comatose mentality. Ophthalmologic examination at our hospital detected a vitreous hemorrhage in his left eye, with right eye remaining normal. Vitrectomy with epiretinal membrane removal was performed. After operation his left visual acuity was recovered. Careful ophthalmologic examination is mandatory in patients with hemorrhagic moyamoya disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.443-446
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• 2006

Intracranial arachnoid cyst is presumed to be a developmental anomaly and its natural history is not well defined. Often it is detected incidentally in a asymptomatic patient and hemorrhagic events of arachnoid cyst following head injury are rarely reported. We report hemorrhagic complications including two intracystic hemorrhages, two subdural hematomas, and an epidural hematoma in 5 patients with intracranial arachnoid cyst after minor head injury and review pertinent literatures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.396-403
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• 2012

Objective : The predictors of cranioplasty infection after decompressive craniectomy have not yet been fully characterized. The objective of the current study was to compare the long-term incidences of surgical site infection according to the graft material and cranioplasty timing after craniectomy, and to determine the associated factors of cranioplasty infection. Methods : A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess graft infection in patients who underwent cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy between 2001 and 2011 at a single-center. From a total of 197 eligible patients, 131 patients undergoing 134 cranioplasties were assessed for event-free survival according to graft material and cranioplasty timing after craniectomy. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression methods were employed, with cranioplasty infection identified as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were also evaluated, including autogenous bone resorption, epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma and brain contusion. Results : The median follow-up duration was 454 days (range 10 to 3900 days), during which 14 (10.7%) patients suffered cranioplasty infection. There was no significant difference between the two groups for event-free survival rate for cranioplasty infection with either a cryopreserved or artificial bone graft (p=0.074). Intergroup differences according to cranioplasty time after craniectomy were also not observed (p=0.083). Poor neurologic outcome at cranioplasty significantly affected the development of cranioplasty infection (hazard ratio 5.203, 95% CI 1.075 to 25.193, p=0.04). Conclusion : Neurologic status may influence cranioplasty infection after decompressive craniectomy. A further prospective study about predictors of cranioplasty infection including graft material and cranioplasty timing is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.353-359
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• 2000

Objective : The fracture on the frontal bone in head-injured patients may be commonly encountered in the clinical situations. Biomechanical studies demonstrate that the anterior wall of the frontal sinus is intermediate in its ability to resist fracture on direct impact. If the frontal sinus is large and the anterior table is able to disperse the force of the impact over a greater area, the posterior table and intracranial contents usually can be spared. We analyzed the clinical features of the patients who presented with frontal skull fracture due to frontal blows. Patients and Methods : From January, 1992 to December, 1997, 172 patients with frontal skull fracture were selected among 1911 patients with head injury who were admitted to department of neurosurgery. Clinical records and radiological studies of all patients were reviewed and evaluated retrospectively. Results : The neurobehavioral changes was seen in 34 cases(19.8%) and showed statistical significances in case of facial bone fractures, acute subdural hematoma(SDH), and positive frontal lobe releasing sign(p<0.05). The good glasgow outcome score group(GOS, good recovery & moderate disability) at discharge was revealed in 77.3% of total patient population. The poor GOS group(severe disability & vegetative state & death) at discharge was revealed in 22.7%. The poor GOS group at discharge have statistical significances with acute epidural hematoma(EDH), traumatic intraventricular hemorrhage(t-IVH), traumatic intracranial lesion, poor initial glasgow coma scale(GCS) scores & Revised Trauma Score(RTS)(p<0.05). Conclusion : Because of their anatomical relationships and neurobehavioral patterns due to vulnerability of the frontal lobe, the frontal injury should be considered as complicated facial injuries. Therefore, these patients are more likely to have a cosmetic or neuropsychiatric problems.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.705-710
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• 2001

Objective : Postoperative seizure is a well documented complication of aneurysm surgery. The purpose of the present study was to analyze risk factors for postoperative seizure. Methods : Between January 1990 and December 1996, we performed craniotomy for ruptured cerebral aneurysms in 321 patients. Among them 206 patients who could be followed up for more than 1 year(range, 1 to 4.6 years) were enrolled to present study. All patients were treated with anticonvulsants for 3 to 18 months postoperatively. We analyze the incidence of postoperative seizure in different sex and age groups, and risk factors associated with postoperative seizures following aneurysm rupture. For statistical processing chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used. Results : In the follow-up period of 1 to 4.6 years(mean, 1.8 years) postoperative seizure appeared in 18 out of 206 patients(8.7%). Mean latency between the operation and the first seizure was 6 months(range, 3 weeks to 18 months). The age of the patients has significant influence on the risk of seizure, it occurred more often in younger patients(p =0.0014). Aneurysm location in the MCA was associated with a significantly a higher risk of seizure(p = 0.042). Eight patients(19%) out of 42 patients who suffered delayed ischemic neurologic deficit(DID) developed seizure. Delayed ischemic neurologic deficit was associated with significantly a higher risk of seizure(p =0.019). Infarct and hypertension were associated with significantly a higher risk of seizure(p <0.05). pre- or postoperative intracranial hematoma(intracerebral or epidural hematoma) was associated with significantly a higher risk of seizure(p <0.0001). H-H grade, Fisher grade, Glasgow Outcome Scale of patients and timing of operation after subarachnoid hemorrhage had no significant relation with the risk of seizure. Conclusion : Factors associated with the development of postoperative seizure were middle cerebral artery aneurysm, delayed ischemic neurologic deficit, infarct on late postoperative CT scan, hypertension, pre or postoperative intracranial hematoma(intracerebral or epidural hematoma). Identification of the risk factors may be help to focus the antiepileptic drug threapy in cases prone to develop seizures. Prospective evaluation is indicated.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.584-590
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• 2017

Objective : Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children under age 24 months has characteristic features because the brain at this age is rapidly growing and sutures are opened. Moreover, children this age are completely dependent on their parents. We analyzed the demographic data and risk factors for outcomes in TBI patients in this age group to elucidate their clinical characteristics. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiological films of children under 24 months who were admitted to Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2013 for TBI. Specifically, we analyzed age, cause of injury, initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, radiological diagnosis, seizure, hydrocephalus, subdural hygroma, and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score, and we divided outcomes into good (GOS 4-5) or poor (GOS 1-3). We identified the risk factors for post-traumatic seizure (PTS) and outcomes using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results : The total number of patients was 60, 39 males and 21 females. Most common age group was between 0 to 5 months, and the median age was 6 months. Falls were the most common cause of injury (n=29, 48.3%); among them, 15 were falls from household furniture such as beds and chairs. Ten patients (16.7%) developed PTS, nine in one week; thirty-seven patients (61.7%) had skull fractures. Forty-eight patients had initial GCS scores of 13-15, 8 had scores of 12-8, and 4 had scored 3-7. The diagnoses were as follows : 26 acute subdural hematomas, 8 acute epidural hematomas, 7 focal contusional hemorrhages, 13 subdural hygromas, and 4 traumatic intracerebral hematomas larger than 2 cm in diameter. Among them, two patients underwent craniotomy for hematoma removal. Four patients were victims of child abuse, and all of them had PTS. Fifty-five patients improved to good-to-moderate disability. Child abuse, acute subdural hematoma, and subdural hygroma were risk factors for PTS in univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis found that the salient risk factor for a poor outcome was initial GCS on admission. Conclusion : The most common cause of traumatic head injury in individuals aged less than 24 months was falls, especially from household furniture. Child abuse, moderate to severe TBI, acute subdural hematoma, and subdural hygroma were risk factors for PTS. Most of the patients recovered with good outcomes, and the risk factor for a poor outcome was initial mental status.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 1992

From Oct. 1983 to Dec. 1991, 135 cases of atrial septal defect which were operated at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascualr Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, were analysed retrospectively. They were 23.7% of all congenital heart diseases operated in the same period. Among the 135 cases, 62 cases were male and 73 cases were female. Their ages were ranged from 2 to 54 years and the mean was 18 years old. Main symptoms at admission were exertional dyspnea[70.37%], frequent URI[49.12%] and palpitation[32.59%], but 12 cases[8.88%] were asymptomatic. Electrocardiographic findings wer regular sinus rhythm in 96.99%, RVH in 64.66%, incomplete RBBB in 27.06%, complete RBBB in 42.10%, and first degree AV block in 9.02% All 135 cases were operated under the direct vision with cardiopulmonary bypass. Anatomically, most frequent type was fossa ovalis defect with complete septal rim[78.52%]. 117 of 135 ASD patients were repaired with pathch closure[86.66%] and 14 patients were repaired with direct closure[10.37%] and 4 patients in mutiple ASD were repaired with patch and direct closure[2.96%]. Postoperative complications were occured in 21 cases[15.56%], and they were wound infection, pleural effusion, postoperative bleeding, urinary tract infection, and heart failure mainly. One case died due to epidural hematoma and operative mortality was 0.74%.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2006

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical results of anterior and posterior stabilization by one stage posterolateral approach for the unstable fracture of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine. Methods : By posterolateral approach with curved skin incision, unilateral facet and pedicle were removed. Through this route, corpectomy was performed, and then this space was replaced with mesh cage filled up with autologous bone graft. Both side pedicle screw fixation was followed to upper and lower levels. Results : Six of seven patients of this study showed neurological improvement. The other one patient showed no neurological change. One patient had postoperative infection, another patient had postoperative kyphosis. The other patient had epidural hematoma on operation site after surgery. And all patinets on this study made to have spinal stability except one patient happened postoperative kyphosis. Conclusion : In the unstable fracture of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine, one stage anterior and posterior stabilization and fusion by posterolateral approach seems to be an effective procedure, if we have more care and supplementation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.150-154
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• 2015

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) following a closed head injury in pediatric patients is a rare condition, and an early spontaneous recanalization of this condition is extremely rare. A 10-year-old boy was admitted with a mild, intermittent headache and nausea five days after a bicycle accident. The brain computed tomography showed an epidural hematoma at the right occipital area with pneumocephalus due to a fracture of the occipital skull bone. The brain magnetic resonance imaging and the magnetic resonance venography demonstrated a flow signal loss from the right sigmoid sinus to the right jugular vein. The diagnosis was sigmoid sinus thrombosis, so close observations were selected as a treatment for the patient because of his gradually improving symptoms; however, he complained of vomiting 14 days the after conservative treatment. The patient was readmitted for a further examination of his symptoms. The laboratory and the gastroenterological examinations were normal. Due to concern regarding the worsening of the sigmoid sinus thrombosis, the brain magnetic resonance venography was rechecked and it revealed the recanalization of the venous flow in the sigmoid sinus and in the jugular vein.