• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2011

Objective : D-dimer is a breakdown product of fibrin mesh after factor XIII stabilization. Previously, many authors have demonstrated a relationship between D-dimer level and stroke progression or type. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between D-dimer level and stroke volume. Methods : Between January 2008 and December 2009, we analyzed the D-dimer levels of 59 acute ischemic stroke patients in our neurosurgical department both upon admission and after seven days of initial treatment. Each patient's National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score, modified Rankin Scales score, Glasgow outcome score, and infarction volume were also evaluated. Results : Mean D-dimer level at admission was 626.6 ${\mu}g/L$ (range, 77-4,752 ${\mu}g/L$) and the mean level measured after seven days of treatment was 238.3 ${\mu}g/L$ (range, 50-924 ${\mu}g/L$). Mean D-dimer level at admission was 215.3 ${\mu}g/L$ in patients with focal infarctions, 385.7 ${\mu}g/L$ in patients with multiple embolic infarctions, 566.2 ${\mu}g/L$ in those with 1-19 cc infarctions, 668.8 ${\mu}g/L$ in 20-49 cc infarctions, 702.5 ${\mu}g/L$ in 50-199 cc infarctions, and 844.0 ${\mu}g/L$ in >200 cc infarctions (p=0.044). On the 7th day of treatment, the D-dimer levels had fallen to 201.0 ${\mu}g/L$, 293.2 ${\mu}g/L$, 272.0 ${\mu}g/L$, 232.8 ${\mu}g/L$, 336.6 ${\mu}g/L$, and 180.0 ${\mu}g/L$, respectively (p=0.530). Conclusion : Our study shows that D-dimer level has the positive correlation with infarction volume and can be use to predict infarction-volume.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 2008

Objective : The cranioplasty and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt operation have been used to treat a large cranial defect with posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH). The aim of this study was to evlauate the difference of outcomes between in the shunting after the cranioplasty (group 1) and the cranioplasty after the shunting (group 2) in a large flaccid cranial defect with PTH. Methods : In this study, a retrospective review was done on 23 patients undergoing the cranioplasty and VP shunt operation after the decompressive craniectomy for a refractory intracranial hypertension from 2002 to 2005. All of 23 cases had a large flaccid concave cranial defect and PTH. Ten cases belong to group 1 and 13 cases to group 2. The outcomes after operations were compared in two groups 6 months later. Results : The improvement of Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) was seen in 8 cases (80.0%) of total 10 cases in group 1, and 6 cases (46.2%) of 13 cases in group 2. Three (75.0%) of 4 cases with hemiparesis in group 1 and 3 of 6 cases (50.0%) in group 2 were improved. All cases (2 cases) with decrease of visual acuity were improved in each group. Dysphasia was improved in 3 of 5 cases (60%) in group 1 and 4 of 6 cases (66.6%) in group 2. Conclusion : These results suggest that outcomes in group 1 may be better than in group 2 for a large flaccid concave cranial defect with PTH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.164-174
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• 2013

Objective : The aim of this study was to determine 30-day mortality and 6-month functional recovery rates in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (S-ICH) patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and to compare the outcomes of these patients and S-ICH patients without ESRD. Methods : The medical records of 1943 S-ICH patients from January 2000 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed with focus on demographic, radiological, and laboratory characteristics. Results : A total of 1558 supratentorial S-ICH patients were included in the present study and 102 (6.5%) were ESRD patients. The 30-day mortality of the S-ICH patients with ESRD was 53.9%, and 29.4% achieved good functional recovery at 6 months post-S-ICH. Multivariate analysis showed that age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, pupillary abnormality, ventricular extension of hemorrhage, hemorrhagic volume, hematoma enlargement, anemia, and treatment modality were independently associated with 30-day mortality in S-ICH patients with ESRD (p<0.05), and that GCS score, volume of hemorrhage, conservative treatment, and shorter hemodialysis duration was independently associated with good functional recovery at 6 months post-S-ICH in patients with ESRD (p<0.05). Conclusion : This retrospective study showed worse outcome after S-ICH in patients with ESRD than those without ESRD; 30-day mortality was four times higher and the functional recovery rate was significantly lower in S-ICH patients with ESRD than in S-ICH patients without ESRD.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2014

Objective : Early decompressive craniectomy (DC) has been used as the first stage treatment to prevent secondary injuries in cases of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Postoperative management is the major factor that influences outcome. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of postoperative management, using intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and including consecutive DC on the other side, on the two-week mortality in severe TBI patients treated with early DC. Methods : Seventy-eight patients with severe TBI [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score <9] underwent early DC were retrospectively investigated. Among 78 patients with early DC, 53 patients were managed by conventional medical treatments and the other, 25 patients were treated under the guidance of ICP monitoring, placed during early DC. In the ICP monitoring group, consecutive DC on the other side were performed on 11 patients due to a high ICP of greater than 30 mm Hg and failure to respond to any other medical treatments. Results : The two-week mortality rate was significantly different between two groups [50.9% (27 patients) and 24% (6 patients), respectively, p=0.025]. After adjusting for confounding factors, including sex, low GCS score, and pupillary abnormalities, ICP monitoring was associated with a 78% lower likelihood of 2-week mortality (p=0.021). Conclusion : ICP monitoring in conjunction with postoperative treatment, after early DC, is associated with a significantly reduced risk of death.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.281-285
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• 2007

Objective : Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are fragile and known to have high risks for intraoperative premature rupture and a relatively high associated morbidity. To improve surgical outcomes of DACA aneurysms, we reviewed our surgical strategy and its results postoperatively. Methods : A total of 845 patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms were operated in our hospital from January 1991 to December 2005. Twenty-three of 845 patients had ruptured DACA aneurysms which were operated on according to our surgical strategy. Our surgical strategy was as follows; early surgery, appropriate releasing of CSF, appropriate surgical approach, using neuronavigating system, securing the bridging veins, using temporary clipping and/or tentative clipping, meticulous manipulation of aneurysm, and using micro-Doppler flow probe. Twenty of 23 patients who had complete medical records were studied retrospectively. We observed the postoperative radiographic findings and checked Glasgow Outcome Scale score sixth months after the operation. Results : Nineteen DACA aneurysms were clipped through a unilateral interhemispheric approach and one DACA aneurysm was clipped through a pterional approach. Postoperative radiographic findings revealed complete clipping of aneurysmal neck without stenosis or occlusion of parent arteries. In two patients, a residual neck of aneurysm was visualized. Seventeen patients showed good recovery, one patient resulted in moderate disability, while 2 patients died. Conclusion : With our surgical strategy it was possible to achieve acceptable surgical morbidity and mortality rates in patients with DACA aneurysms. Appropriate use of tentative clipping, temporary clipping and neuro-navigating systems can give great help for safe approach and clipping of DACA aneurysm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.631-639
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• 2020

Objective : Traditionally, staged surgery has been preferred in the treatment of compound comminuted depressed fracture (FCCD) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and involves the removal of primarily damaged bone and subsequent cranioplasty. The main reason for delayed cranioplasty was to reduce the risk of infection-related complications. Here, the author performed immediate reconstruction using a titanium mesh in consecutive patients with FCCD after TBI, reported the surgical results, and reviewed previous studies. Methods : Nineteen consecutive patients who underwent single-stage reconstruction with titanium mesh for FCCD of the skull from April 2014 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic and radiological characteristics of the patients with FCCD were investigated. The characteristics associated with surgery and outcome were also evaluated. Results : The frequency of TBI in men (94.7%) was significantly higher than that in women. Most FCCDs (73.7%) occurred during work, the rest were caused by traffic accidents. The mean interval between TBI and surgery was 7.0±3.9 hours. The median Glasgow coma scale score was 15 (range, 8-15) at admission and 15 (range, 10-15) at discharge. FCCD was frequently located in the frontal (57.9%) and parietal (31.6%) bones than in other regions. Of the patients with FCCDs in the frontal bone, 62.5% had paranasal sinus injury. There were five patients with fractures of orbital bone, and they were easily reconstructed using titanium mesh. These patients were cosmetically satisfied. Postoperatively, antibiotics were used for an average of 12.6 days. The mean hospital stay was 17.6±7.5 days (range, 8-33). There was no postoperative seizure or complications, such as infection. Conclusion : Immediate bony fragments replacement and reconstruction with reconstruction titanium mesh for FCCD did not increase infectious sequelae, even though FCCD involved sinus. This suggests that immediate single-stage reconstruction with titanium mesh for FCCD is a suitable surgical option with potential benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness, safety, and cosmetic and psychological outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2006

Objective : Young neurosurgeons need to focus on the mortality and morbidity of aneurysmal neck clipping to develop a personal experience with an initial series. Methods : Total 88 aneurysms from 75 patients who underwent neck clipping by the same operator from 2001 to 2004 were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups : first year [Group I], second year [Group II], and third year [Group III] in each group. Location of aneurysm, age, Fisher grade, Hunter-Hess grade [H-H grade], postoperative Glasgow outcome scale [GOS], and complications related to surgical procedures were evaluated with Chi-square and logistic regression analyses. Results : Fourteen patients had complications related to surgery [18.7%]. The major causes of mortality and morbidity related to surgery were cerebral infarction, hemorrhage and brain swelling due to intraoperative rupture, brain retraction and vasospasm. Among the 4 cases of mortality were 2 patients in Group I, 1 patient in Group II and 1 patient in Group III, and location of aneurysms were 2 internal carotid artery[ICA] and 2 posterior communicating artery[PCoA] aneurysms. There were 4 morbidity and new neurological deficits in Group I, 4 in Group II and 2 in Group III. Although mortality and morbidity during the learning curve had a statistical significance in H-H grade, age [>60 years old], and aneurysm location [especially ICA aneurysm] as variables, mortality mainly occurred in ICA and PCoA aneurysms. Conclusion : Experienced supervision or endovascular approach should be considered for the treatment of ICA and PCoA aneurysms during the learning curve.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.518-527
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• 2015

Objective : The treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms remains challenging. One approach is the application of surgical flow alteration to treat aneurysms that are neither clippable, trappable, or coilable. The efficacy and limitations of surgical flow alteration have not yet been established. Methods : Cases of complex aneurysms treated with surgical flow alteration (proximal occlusion with or without bypass, distal occlusion with or without bypass and bypass only) were included in this retrospective study. Results : Among a total of 16 cases, there were 7 giant aneurysms (${\geq}25mm$ diameter) and 9 large aneurysms (>10 mm diameter); 15 of 16 aneurysms were unruptured. There were 8 aneurysms located in the anterior circulation, while the other 8 were in the posterior circulation. Aneurysms were treated with proximal occlusion in 10 cases and distal occlusion in 5 cases; in 1 case, the aneurysm occluded spontaneously after bypass without parent artery occlusion. All but 2 cases underwent prior or concurrent bypass surgery. Complete obliteration of the aneurysm at the latest imaging follow-up was shown in 12 of 16 cases (75.0%). Bypass patency was confirmed in 13 of 15 cases (86.7%). Surgery-related morbidity developed in 3 cases (18.8%, Glasgow outcome scale of 4) and all were perforator infarctions. There were no mortalities. Conclusion : Surgical flow alteration resulted in a high rate of aneurysmal obliteration with acceptable morbidity. Although several limitations remained, it could represent an alternative method for treating complex aneurysms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2015

Objective : Optimal treatment decision and estimation of the prognosis in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is currently based on demographic and clinical predictors. But sometimes, there are limitations in these factors. In this study, we analyzed three central nervous system biomarkers in TBI patients, will discuss the roles and clinical applications of biomarkers in TBI. Methods : From July on 2013 to August on 2014, a total of 45 patients were included. The serum was obtained at the time of hospital admission, and biomarkers were extracted with centrifugal process. It was analyzed for the level of S-100 beta (S100B), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1). Results : This study included 33 males and 12 females with a mean age of 58.5 (19-84) years. TBI patients were classified into two groups. Group A was severe TBI with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 3-5 and Group B was mild TBI with GCS score 13-15. The median serum concentration of S100B, GFAP, and UCH-L1 in severe TBI were raised 5.1 fold, 5.5 fold, and 439.1 fold compared to mild injury, respectively. The serum levels of these markers correlated significantly with the injury severity and clinical outcome (p<0.001). Increased level of markers was strongly predicted poor outcomes. Conclusion : S100B, GFAP, and UCH-L1 serum level of were significantly increased in TBI according to severity and associated clinical outcomes. Biomarkers have potential utility as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic adjuncts in the setting of TBI.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2009

Objective : Direct surgical clipping of paraclinoid aneurysms poses technical challenges to even very experienced neurosurgeons, making endovascular treatment an alternative treatment modality in many centers. We have therefore retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of endovascular detachable coil embolization of paraclinoid aneurysms. Methods : From June 1997 to June 2007, 65 patients underwent endovascular detachable coiling for 67 paraclinoid aneurysms (of which 9 were ruptured and 58 were unruptured) in our institute. Their medical records, radiological images and readings, and operation records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : After the initial embolization procedure, complete occlusion was achieved in 29 (43.3%) of the aneurysms treated by endovascular detachable coiling. Six aneurysms required retreatment, with two each requiring one, two, or three additional endovascular procedures. Fifty-five (82.1%) aneurysms were measured by three-dimensional time of flight (TOF) magnetic resonance images (MRI) or transfemoral cerebral angiography (TFCA) at a mean follow-up of 29.7 months (range from 4 to 94 months), with 39 aneurysms (70.9%) showing complete occlusion. Thromboembolic events (3.8%) were the most frequent complication. Rupture did not occur during or after any of the procedures. According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), 98.4% of the patients treated by coil embolization had a score of 4 or 5. Conclusion : Our results indicate that endovascular detachable coiling is a safe and effective treatment modality in paraclinoid aneurysms.