• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2024

Objective: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of microsurgery with intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography as a treatment approach for ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). Methods: Between January 2010 and July 2021, our institution encountered a total of eight cases of ethmoidal DAVF. In each of these cases, microsurgical treatment was undertaken utilizing a bilateral sub-frontal interhemispheric approach, with the aid of intraoperative ICG angiography. Results: ICG angiography identified bilateral venous drainage with single dominance in four cases (50%) of ethmoidal DAVF, a finding that eluded detection during preoperative transfemoral cerebral angiography (TFCA). The application of microsurgical treatment, in conjunction with intraoperative ICG angiography, resulted in consistently positive clinical outcomes for all patients, as evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at the 6-month postoperative follow-up assessment; six patients showed GOS score of 5, while the remaining two patients attained a GOS score of 4. Conclusions: The use of intraoperative ICG angiography enabled accurate identification of both dominant and non-dominant venous drainage patterns, ensuring complete disconnection of the fistula and reducing the risk of recurrence.

• 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.64 no.4
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• pp.543-551
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• 2021

Objective : Hemorrhagic stroke (HS) and hypertensive retinopathy are known end organ damage of the brain and eye respectively, with HS having deleterious consequence to the patients. This study is to correlate between hypertensive retinopathy and HS in hypertensive disease. Methods : A control group of hypertensive patients only, and an investigated group of hypertensive HS patients. Fundoscopic examination to determine the grade of retinopathy was performed and then divided into low or high severity hypertensive retinopathy. Clinical and radiological parameter included are demography, vital signs, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) on admission, clot volume, site of clot, Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) score and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). Data were correlated with the severity of hypertensive retinopathy. Results : Fifty patient in the control group and 51 patients in the investigated group were recruited. In the hypertensive HS group, 21 had low severity retinopathy (no or mild retinopathy) accounting for 41.2% and 30 patients had high severity (moderate or severe retinopathy). In the hypertensive patients 49 had low severity and one had high severity (p-value of 0.001). In HS group low severity showed better GCS score of 9-15 on admission (p-value of 0.003), clot volume less than 30 mL (p-value 0.001), and also a better 30 days mortality rate by using the ICH score (p-value 0.006), GOS score of 4 and 5 the low severity retinopathy fair better than the high severity retinopathy (p-value of 0.001), and the relative risk to develop HS in low severity and high severity retinopathy was 0.42 and 29.4, respectively. Conclusion : Hypertensive retinopathy screening could be used as an indicator in hypertensive patient, to evaluate the risk of developing hypertensive HS in the future.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2007

Purpose: $S100{\beta}$, a marker of traumatic brain injury (TBI), has been increasingly focused upon during recent years. $S100{\beta}$, is easily measured not only in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) but also in serum. After TBI, serum S 10019, has been found to be increased at an early stage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical correlations between serum $S100{\beta}$, and neurologic outcome, and severity in traumatic brain injury. Methods: From August 2006 to October 2006, we made a protocol and studied prospectively 42 patients who visited the emergency room with TBI. Venous blood samples for $S100{\beta}$, protein were taken within six hours after TBI and vital signs, as well as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), were recorded. The final diagnosis and the severity were evaluated using the Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS), and the prognosis of the patients was evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). Results: Thirty-eight patients showed a favorable prognosis (discharge, recovery, transfer), and four showed an unfavorable prognosis. Serum $S100{\beta}$, was higher in patients with an unfavorable prognosis than in patients with a favorable prognosis, and a significant difference existed between the two groups ($0.74{\pm}1.50\;{\mu}g/L$ vs $7.62{\pm}6.53\;{\mu}g/L$ P=0.002). A negative correlation existed between serum $S100{\beta}$, and the Revised Traumatic Score (R2=-0.34, P=0.03), and a positive correlation existed between serum $S100{\beta}$, and the Injury Severity Score (R2=0.33, P=0.03). Furthermore, the correlation between serum $S100{\beta}$, and the initial GCS and the GCS 24 hours after admission to the ER were negative (R2=-0.62, P<0.001; R2=-0.47, P=0.005). Regarding the GOS, the mean serum concentration of $S100{\beta}$, was $7.62\;{\ss}{\partial}/L$ (SD=${\pm}6.53$) in the expired patients, $1.15\;{\mu}g/L$ in the mildly disable patient, and $0.727\;{\mu}g/L$ (SD=${\pm}0.73$) in the recovered patients. These differences are statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: In traumatic brain injury, a higher level of serum concentration of $S100{\beta}$, has a poor prognosis for neurologic outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.326-330
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• 2007

Objective : Stroke is the most prevalent disease involving the central nervous system. Since medical modalities are sometimes ineffective for the acute edema following massive infarction, surgical decompression may be an effective option when medical treatments fail. The present study was undertaken to assess the outcome and prognostic factors of decompressive surgery in life threatening acute, severe, brain infarction. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed twenty-six patients (17 males and 9 females; average age, 49.7yrs) who underwent decompressive surgery for severe cerebral or cerebellar infarction from January 2003 to December 2006. Surgical indication was based on the clinical signs such as neurological deterioration, pupillary reflex, and radiological findings. Clinical outcome was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results : Of the 26 patients, 5 (19.2%) showed good recovery, 5 (19.2%) showed moderate disability, 2 (7.7%) severe disability, 6 (23.1%) persistent experienced vegetative state, and 8 (30.8%) death. In this study, the surgical decompression improved outcome for cerebellar infarction, but decompressive surgery did not show a good result for MCA infarction (30.8% overall mortality vs 100% mortality). The dominant-hemisphere infarcts showed worse prognosis, compared with nondominant-hemisphere infarcts (54.5% vs 70%). Poor prognostic factors were diabetes mellitus, dominant-hemisphere infarcts and low preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. Conclusion : The patients who exhibit clinical deterioration despite aggressive medical management following severe cerebral infarction should be considered for decompressive surgery. For better outcome, prompt surgical treatment is mandatory. We recommend that patients with severe cerebral infarction should be referred to neurosurgical department primarily in emergency setting or as early as possible for such prompt surgical treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.950-956
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• 2021

Objective : Psoas and masseter muscles are known markers of sarcopenia. However, the relative superiority of either muscle as a marker is unclear. Therefore, this study analyzed the two muscles in patients with a prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods : Patients with TBI visiting a regional trauma center between January 2017 and December 2018 were selected, and their medical records were reviewed. TBI patients with an abbreviated injury score (AIS) of 4 or 5 were selected. Patients with an AIS of 4 or 5 at the chest, abdomen, and extremity were excluded. Patients with a hospital stay of 1 to 2 days were excluded. Both muscle areas were measured based on the initial computed tomography. The psoas muscle index (PMI) and the masseter muscle index (MMI) were calculated by dividing both muscle areas by height in meters squared (cm²/m²). These muscle parameters along with other medical information were used to analyze mortality and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). Results : A total of 179 patients, including 147 males (82.1%), were analyzed statistically. The mean patient age was 58.0 years. The mortality rate was 16.8% (30 patients). The mean GOS score was 3.7. Analysis was performed to identify the parameters associated with mortality, which was a qualitative study outcome. The psoas muscle area (16.9 vs. 14.4 cm², p=0.028) and PMI (5.9 vs. 5.1 cm²/m², p=0.004) showed statistical differences between the groups. The PMI was also statistically significant as a risk factor for mortality in logistic regression analysis (p=0.023; odds ratio, 0.715; 95% confidence interval, 0.535-0.954). Quantitative analyses were performed with the GOS scores. Bivariate correlation analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between PMI and GOS scores (correlation coefficient, 0.168; p=0.003). PMI (p=0.004, variation inflation factor 1.001) was significant in multiple regression analysis. The masseter muscle area and MMI did not show significance in the study. Conclusion : Larger PMI was associated with statistically significant improved survival and GOS scores, indicating its performance as a superior prognostic marker. Further analyses involving a larger number of patients, additional parameters, and more precise settings would yield a better understanding of sarcopenia and TBI.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.363-367
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility and validity of using a pupillometer to assess patients with acute brain lesions. Methods : Pupillary examinations using an automated pupillometer ($NeurOptics^{(R)}NPi^{TM}$-100 Pupillometer) were performed every 4 hours and were simultaneously assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and for intracranial pressure (ICP), from admission to discharge or expire in neuro-intensive care unit (NICU). Manual pupillary examinations were also recorded for comparison. By comparing these data, we evaluated the validity of using automated pupillometers to predict clinical outcomes. Results : The mean values of the Neurologic Pupillary index (NPi) were different in the groups examined manually. The GCS correlated well with NPi values, especially in severe brain injury patients (GCS below 9). However, the NPi values were weakly correlated with intracranial pressure (ICP) when the ICP was lower than 30 cm $H_2O$. The NPi value was not affected by age or intensity of illumination. In patients with a "poor" prognosis who had a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) of 1 or 2, the mean initial NPi score was $0.88{\pm}1.68$, whereas the value was $3.89{\pm}0.97$ in patients with a "favorable" prognosis who had a GOS greater than 2 (p<0.001). For predicting clinical outcomes, the initial NPi value of 3.4 had the highest sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion : An automated pupillometer can serve as a simple and useful tool for the accurate measurement of pupillary reactivity in patients with acute brain lesions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.717-722
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• 2017

Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of delayed burr hole surgery in relation to the reduction of postoperative subdural hematoma (SDH) volume in patients with acute SDH. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed patients with acute SDH who received delayed burr hole surgery at our institute. Age, sex, Glasgow coma scale, maximal SDH thickness, volume of SDH, midline shifts, hounsfield unit (HU), and medical history of anticoagulant agent usage were recorded. Outcome measures were delayed operation day, reduction of SDH volume after operation, and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score at discharge. The patients were divided two groups according to the postoperative reduction of volume of SDH (${\geq}50%$, group A; <50%, group B). We also analyzed variables and differences between two groups. Results : Eighteen patients were available for this analysis. The mean delayed of surgery was $13.9{\pm}7.5$ days. Maximal thickness of SDH was changed from $10.0{\pm}3.5mm$ to $12.2{\pm}3.7mm$. Volume of SDH was changed from $38.7{\pm}28.0mL$ to $42.6{\pm}29.6mL$. Midline shifts were changed from $5.8{\pm}3.3mm$ to $6.6{\pm}3.3mm$. HU were changed from $66.4{\pm}11.2$ to $53.2{\pm}20.6$. Post-operative reduction of SDH volume was $52.1{\pm}21.1%$. Eleven patients (61%) had a discharge GOS score of 1 (good recovery). Ten patients (56%) were enrolled in group A. Midline shifting was greater in group A than in group B ($7.4{\pm}3.3$ vs. $3.0{\pm}2.4mm$; p<0.02). The delay of surgery was shorter for group A than group B ($9.2{\pm}2.3$ vs. $19.8{\pm}7.7$ days; p<0.0008). Conclusion : Among well selected patients, delayed burr hole surgery in patients with acute SDH may be effective for reduction of SDH volume. Further studies will be necessary to establish the effectiveness and safety of delayed burr hole surgery in patients with acute SDH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.842-848
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• 2001

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.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.207-210
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• 2001

Objective : The prognosis of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage often depends on initial neurologic condition, size and location of hemorrhage and associated intraventricular hemorrhage. However, age of patient, coagulation state and other associated vascular diseases may also play a role when present. In recent years, the geriatric population has been increasing. The age distribution of the patients with intracerebral hemorrhages also has been increased, accordingly. However, such patients, especially when associated with poor initial conditions often tend to be managed rather conservatively. The authors analyzed retrospectively on forty-five patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage over the seventies with poor initial condition to find out whether there exists a difference of outcome between surgery and non-surgery group. Material and Method : A total of 45 patients over seventies with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage with Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) 4-8 treated over last six years were included. The validity of surgical management for these patients as well as clinical variables which might have been operated on the outcome of these patients were evaluated. The Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) after three months was used for comparison of outcome. Results : In surgical group(19 cases), mean age was 74.5 years old, mean hematoma volume 67.2ml and mean GCS score 5.7 points. In nonsurgical group(26 cases), mean age was 79.3 years old, mean hematoma volume 32.1ml, and mean GCS score 6.8 points. Mortality rate in surgical group was 47.4%(9 patients), including 2 cases of post-operative rebleeding, while that in nonsurgical group was 46.2%. However, when patients with initial GCS 4-6 points and over 30ml in hematoma volume were regrouped, mortality rate in surgical group was 46.2%, whereas mortality rate in nonsurgical group was 66.7%. Conclusion : It is concluded that the mortality rate is much low in surgery group with initial GCS less than 6 points and hematoma volume over 30cc. There was no significant difference of outcome in patients with basal ganglia and thalamic hemorrhage. However, surgical treatment lowered the mortality and morbidity rate in patients with subcortical and cerebellar hemorrhage.