• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.414-417
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• 2007

A 52-year-old woman with hypertension and moyamoya disease presented with chronic subdural hematoma [CSDH]. The presumed cause of bleeding was ascribed to administrated antiplatelet agents. She responded slowy and clumsily to verbal commands and had right arm weakness. After surgery, her clinical condition improved. But two days after surgery, her symptoms became aggravated and a convulsive seizure was noted within 24 hours. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed no organic lesion except a small amount of residual CSDH. In addition, there was no laboratory evidence of metabolic brain disease. Moreover, after the administration of an antiepileptic drug [phenytoin], her manifestations disappeared. Therefore, the authors presume that her symptoms were resulted from nonconvulsive status epilepticus [NCSE], despite a lack of ictal period electroencephalographic findings. The authors were unable to find a single case report on postoperative NCSE in Korea. Therefore, the authors report this case of nonconvulsive status epilepticus after drainage of a CSDH in a patient with moyamoya disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.218-221
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• 2014

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), which rarely happens in the young, is thought to be a disease of the elderly. Whereas unspecific symptoms and insidious onset in juveniles and young adults, as a result of its relative low morbidity, CSDH is usually neglected even undertreated in the young. Through the three cases and review of the current literature on this subject, we tried to illustrate the clinical and etiopathological characteristics of this entity and find out the most appropriate treatment strategy. We report three young CSDH patients with different but similar symptoms. The present histories, tests and examinations revealed different predisposing factors accounting for the genesis of CSDH. Their preoperative symptoms were all resolved with burr hole and drainage operation. Juveniles and young adults suffering from CSDH differ from that of their elderly counterparts in their clinical and etiopathological characteristics. Although trauma is the most important risk factor in young and old CSDH patients, some other predisposing factors may exist. Burr hole and drainage surgery could resolve the problem most of the time. But further tests and examinations even specific management should be made in some cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.943-946
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• 2001

We report a case of 15 year-old female patient with a ossified chronic epidural hematoma. She had had head trauma 10 weeks previously and conservative care for delayed onset epidural hematoma at other hospital. Ossification was identified about 4 weeks after head injury and then progressed rapidly. We removed the chronic epidural hematoma with thick capsule and newly formed bone. The mechanism of the ossification associated with cephalhematoma and chronic subdural hematoma is reviewed and discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.232-238
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• 2017

Objective : An apparent increase of use of drugs affecting hemostasis in our neurosurgical department since the 1990s has encouraged us to investigate whether these drugs influence the clinical course and results of surgery for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Methods : This retrospective analysis included 178 patients admitted for CSDH from 2007 to 2011 who were divided into two groups : on drugs affecting hemostasis (40; 22%) and no bleeding disorders (138; 78%). Medications in the first group included oral anticoagulants (33; 82.5%), antiplatelets (5; 12.5%) and low molecular weight heparins (2; 5%). Results : The patients on drugs affecting hemostasis were older ($74.3{\pm}7.4$ vs. $68.4{\pm}14.8$; p-value 0.01) and the group without bleeding disorders had more head trauma history (61% vs. 38%, p-value 0.01). The groups did not differ in bilateral hematoma rates (25% vs. 20%, p-value=NS). At diagnosis, mean hematoma thickness was lower in patients on drugs affecting hemostasis ($18.7{\pm}7.4mm$ vs. $21.9{\pm}7.9mm$, p-value<0.01). Average stay of hospital was 1 day longer in patients on drugs affecting hemostasis ($11.7{\pm}4.1$ vs.$10.9{\pm}5.3$, p-value=NS) and was related to the necessity of bleeding disorder reversal. Mean neurological status at presentation was similar between the groups (p-value=NS) as was the likelihood of hematoma recurrence (p-value=NS). Glasgow Outcome Scale results were comparable. Conclusion : Patients on drugs affecting hemostasis are less often aware of a head trauma history, possibly suggesting a higher CSDH risk after minor trauma in this group. In these patients, smaller hematomas are symptomatic, probably due to faster hematoma formation. Drugs affecting hemostasis do not affect treatment results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.518-523
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• 2010

Objective : Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is known to have a significant recurrence rate. There are different criteria defining the recurrence of CSDH. We evaluated the postoperative course of CSDH and tried to propose the reasonable criteria of recurrence. Methods : We retrospectively examined the medical records and pre- and postoperative CT scans of 149 consecutive patients who underwent surgery from January 2005 to December 2009. Diagnosis was confirmed by CT scanning or MRI. The postoperative courses were either resolved or recurrent. The resolved CSDH was one of the three types; early resolution, delayed resolution, or late resolution. The recurrent CSDH was one of the four types; recurrence without resolution, early recurrence after resolution, late recurrence after resolution, or recurrent-and-resolved type. Results : The CSDH was resolved within 30 days after surgery in 58 (39%) patients, between 1 to 3 months in 62 (42%), and after 3 months in 11 (7%) patients. The CSDH was recurred in 18 (12%) patients. Late resolution or recurrence was more common in the aged. The recurrent hematoma was seen on the same side in 11 patients, on the different side in 7 patients. Recurrence was significantly more common in the thick hematomas. Conclusion : For a working criteria of the recurrence of CSDH, we propose the early recurrence as return of symptoms or reaccumulation of the hematoma after a surgery within 3 months regardless of the location, amount or repeated operations. The late recurrence can be defined as reappearance or enlargement of a liquefied hematoma within the cranial cavity surrounded by the membranes or persistent CSDH beyond 3 months after surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.271-275
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• 2015

Objective : Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a rare complication of unruptured aneurysm clipping surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors of postoperative CSDH after surgical clipping for unruptured anterior circulation aneurysms. Methods : This retrospective study included 518 patients from a single tertiary institute from January 2008 to December 2013. CSDH was defined as subdural hemorrhage which needed surgical treatment. The degree of brain atrophy was estimated using the bicaudate ratio (BCR) index. We used uni- and multivariate analyses to identify risk factors correlated with CSDH. Results : Sixteen (3.1%) patients experienced postoperative CSDH that required burr hole drainage surgery. In univariate analyses, male gender (p<0.001), size of aneurysm (p=0.030), higher BCR index (p=0.004), and the use of antithrombotic medication (p=0.006) were associated with postoperative CSDH. In multivariate analyses using logistic regression test, male gender [odds ratio (OR) 4.037, range 1.287-12.688], high BCR index (OR 5.376, range 1.170-25.000), and the use of antithrombotic medication (OR 4.854, range 1.658-14.085) were associated with postoperative CSDH (p<0.05). Postoperative subdural fluid collection and arachnoid plasty were not showed statistically significant difference in this study. Conclusion : The incidence of CSDH was 3.1% in unruptured anterior circulation aneurysm surgery. This study shows that male gender, degree of brain atrophy, and the use of antithrombotic medication were associated with postoperative CSDH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.761-766
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• 2018

Objective : Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a rare complication of unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) clipping surgery. To prevent postoperative CSDH by reducing subdural fluid collection, we applied the modified arachnoid plasty (MAP) during the UIA clipping surgery to seal the dissected arachnoid plane. Methods : This retrospective study included 286 patients enrolled from July 2012 to May 2015. We performed arachnoid plasty in all patients, with MAP used after June 17, 2014. Patients were divided into two groups (non-MAP vs. MAP), and by using uni- and multivariate analyses, baseline characteristics, and relationships with postoperative CSDH between the two groups were analyzed. The degree of preoperative brain atrophy was estimated using the bicaudate ratio (BCR) index. Results : Ten patients (3.5%) among 286 patients had postoperative CSDH after clipping. Nine (3.1%) were in the non-MAP group, and one (0.9%) was in the MAP group. The higher BCR index showed statistical significance with occurrence of postoperative CSDH in both uni- (p=0.018) and multivariate (p=0.012; odds ratio [OR], 8.547; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.616-45.455) analyses. MAP was associated with a lower risk of postoperative CSDH (p=0.022; OR, 0.068; 95% CI, 0.007-0.683). Conclusion : This study shows that the degree of preoperative brain atrophy is associated with an increased occurrence of CSDH after clipping and that MAP could help reduce the risk of postoperative CSDH after unruptured aneurysm clipping via a lateral supraorbital approach.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.96-100
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• 2005

Objective: The brain computed tomography(CT) is an important tool throughout the clinical course of chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH). In CT findings, the density of CSDH is different in each case. We analyze management options and results according to the density of CSDH. Methods: Seventy one patients with CSDH, who had been managed in our institute from August 2001 to December 2003, were reviewed retrospectively. The authors divided the patients into six groups according to the density of hematoma; Group A-hypodense rather than the brain parenchyma, group B-isodense, group C-hyperdense, group D-mixed with hypodense and hyperdense, group E-mixed with isodense and hypodense and group F-mixed with isodense and hypersdense. In each group, the operation method, the duration of the indwelling catheter and prognosis were analyzed. Results: The patients who showed mixed density were 39 and, those who showed single density were 32. All the patients underwent burr hole drainage for the primary choice. There was only two cases that needed additional craniotomy. The average duration of indwelling catheter was $5.40{\pm}1.91$ days. Statistically the duration was not different in each group(p-value<0.05, $x^2$ test). Three cases recurred, one in group C, another in group D, and the last in group E. It had no statistical significance due to low incidence of recurrence. Conclusion: We conclude that burr hole drainage is an acceptable primary treatment option for CSDH even though the density of hematoma is different in every single case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.211-219
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• 2013

Objective : The objectives of the present study were to characterize the natural course of initially non-operated traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and to identify the risk factors of hematoma progression. Methods : Retrospective analysis was performed using sequential computed tomography (CT) images maintained in a prospective observational database containing 177 ASDH cases treated from 2005 to 2011. Patients were allocated to four groups as followings; 136 (76.8%) patients to the spontaneous resolution group, 12 (6.8%) who underwent operation between 4 hours and 7 days to the rapid worsening group (RWG), 24 (13.6%) who experienced an increase of hematoma and that underwent operation between 7 and 28 days to the subacute worsening group (SWG), and 5 (2.8%) who developed delayed aggravation requiring surgery from one month after onset to the delayed worsening group (DWG). Groups were compared with respect to various factors. Results : No significant intergroup difference was found with respect to age, mechanism of injury, or initial Glasgow Coma Scale. The presence of combined cerebral contusion or subarachnoid hemorrhage was found to be a significant prognostic factor. Regarding CT findings, mixed density was common in the RWG and the SWG. Midline shifting, hematoma thickness, and numbers of CT slices containing hematoma were significant prognostic factors of the RWG and the SWG. Brain atrophy was more severe in the SWG and the DWG. Conclusion : A large proportion of initially non-operated ASDHs worsen in the acute or subacute phase. Patients with risk factors should be monitored carefully for progression by repeat CT imaging.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.379-385
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• 2015

Chronic subdural hematomas mainly occur amongst elderly people and usually develop after minor head injuries. In younger patients, subdural collections may be related to hypertension, coagulopathies, vascular abnormalities, and substance abuse. Different techniques can be used for the surgical treatment of symptomatic chronic subdural hematomas : single or double burr-hole evacuation, with or without subdural drainage, twist-drill craniostomies and classical craniotomies. Failure of the brain to re-expand, pneumocephalus, incomplete evacuation, and recurrence of the fluid collection are common complications following these procedures. Acute subdural hematomas may also occur. Rarely reported hemorrhagic complications include subarachnoid, intracerebral, intraventricular, and remote cerebellar hemorrhages. The causes of such uncommon complications are difficult to explain and remain poorly understood. Overdrainage and intracranial hypotension, rapid brain decompression and shift of the intracranial contents, cerebrospinal fluid loss, vascular dysregulation and impairment of venous outflow are the main mechanisms discussed in the literature. In this article we report three cases of different post-operative intracranial bleeding and review the related literature.