• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.60-65
• /
• 2001

Objective : The popular grading systems in use, such as Hunt-Hess grade and Fisher scale score, are based primarily on the patient's clinical conditions or computerized tomography score after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). The author investigated whether the need for ventriculoperitoneal(VP) shunt for chronic hydrocephalus and outcome can be predicted by Hunt-Hess grade and Fisher scale. Methods : A series of 146 patients admitted to our hospital from August 1991 to July 1999, who presented with SAH and underwent craniotomy for aneurysm clipping were studied retrospectively. Chronic hydrocephalus was defined as clinically and radiographically demonstrated hydrocephalus that lasted 2 weeks or longer after initial hemorrhage which required shunting. Patients were evaluated based on following factors : Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher scale, age, sex, hypertension, aneurysm location, and intervals from aneurysm rupture to operation. Results : The overall mortality rate of the study group was 8.2%. Hunt-Hess grade(p=0.001) or Fisher scale (p=0.001) at all pretreatment times was significantly correlated with outcome. In addition, there was an increased risk of poor outcome in older age(65<). However, there were statistically no significant relationship between outcome and sex, location of aneurysm, hypertension, and interval from aneurysmal rupture to operation(p>0.05). Of 134 surviving patients, 16 patients(12%) underwent VP shunt placement secondary to chronic hydrocephalus. Hunt-Hess grade(p=0.001) is more predictive of chronic hydrocephalus than Fisher scale(p=0.146). Aneurysm location was significantly correlated with development of chronic hydrocephalus (p<0.05), without significant correlations in sex, age, hypertension. IVH, and ICH. Conclusion : This study suggests that there is a high clinical correlation between outcome and Hunt-Hess grades and Fisher scales on admission, but Hunt-Hess grade is more predictive for chronic hydrocephalus than Fisher scale. In addition, age(<65 yrs) is the significant factor for prediction of outcome. There was a trend of increasing risk for chronic hydrocephalus according to aneurymal location.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.1013-1018
• /
• 2001

Objective : About 40% of patients who admit to the hospital after subarachnoid hemorrhage are poor clinical grade(Hunt-Hess grade IV, V). The majority of these patients have been excluded from early, aggressive treatment. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome of urgent surgery for Hunt-Hess grade IV aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Materials and Methods : We reviewed hospital records and radiographic studies of 36 patients who were Hunt-Hess grade IV among 201 cases with ruptured intracranial aneurysm admitted between Sep. 1995 and Dec. 2000. Operated patients were treated with urgent angiography and surgery within 24 hours of presentation, except six patients, and medical records of these patients were reviewed for the clinical course and Glasgow outcome scale(GOS). Results : Overall management results of the 36 patients were good recovery in 13(36.1%), moderate disability in 12 (33.3%), severe disability in 1(2.8%), vegetative state in 1(2.8%) and 9(25.0%) of surgically treated patients had died. Conclusion : Although with limited number of patients, we conclude that urgent surgery for Hunt-Hess grade IV patients results in a better neurologic outcome and urgent surgery combined with aggressive postoperative management can minimize mortality.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.375-379
• /
• 2005

Rarely, rupture of a cerebral aneurysm causes an acute subdural hematoma(SDH) in addition to subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). We report clinical and radiological characteristics of five cases, as well as potential pitfalls in the diagnosis and the treatment of this life-threatening condition. The patients ranged in age from 42 to 76 years. The Hunt-Hess grade on admission was grade III in one patient, grade IV in two, and grade V in two. All five patients un-derwent one-stage operation (both SDH evacuation and clipping of the aneurysm). The outcome was good recovery in two patients, persistent vegetative state in two, and death in one. Patients with a good outcome had a better Hunt-Hess grade on admission, with less amount of SDH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.167-171
• /
• 2012

Objective : The aim of this study was to compare clinical characteristics of ruptured aneurysms in young adults, of the third and fourth decades of life, and to compare several clinical characteristics affecting the outcome of patients. Methods : We retrospectively investigated 1459 patients who underwent surgery and endovascular treatment for ruptured cerebral aneurysms from June 1992 to December 2010 and compared clinical characteristics. We also reviewed pre-existing medical conditions and perioperative complications. Results : Among 1459 patients, there were 21 patients (1.44%) in the third decade and 104 patients (7.13%) in the fourth decade of life. Within two age groups, 88 (70.4%) were male and 37 (29.6%) were female, a ratio of 2.37 : 1. In both groups, we observed the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysm with the most frequency (p=0.028). In general, favorable outcome was achieved in both age groups (90.5% and 81.7%, respectively). An initial univariate analysis showed Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, location of aneurysm, and rebleeding significantly associated with outcome after aneurysm rupture. Further, multivariate analysis demonstrated that only Hunt-Hess grade (grade 4-5) was a risk factor for the outcome (odds ratio=9.730, 95% confidence interval 2.069-45.756, p=0.004). Conclusion : The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was higher in the male population of the third and fourth decades of life. Aneurysms on the ACA were most frequently occurred in both age groups and the outcome of aneurysmal SAH among the third and fourth decades was favorable. Multivariate analysis revealed that high Hunt-Hess grade was a risk factor for patient's outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.173-178
• /
• 2007

Objective : Hydrocephalus is one of the major complications following spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the risk factors of the hydrocephalus after SAH are not still well known. This study was focused on verification of the causal relationships between the development of hydrocephalus and SAH. Methods : The patients who developed hydrocephalus after rupture of aneurysms were studied. To obtain prognostic factors regarding to hydrocephalus, several parameters such as age, sex, hypertension, location of aneurysm, existence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), Glasgow coma scale (GCS), Hunt-Hess SAH classification & Fisher Grade on admission and the ratio of frontal harn of lateral ventricle diameter to skull inner table diameter at this level (FH/ID) were studied retrospectively. Results : The development of hydrocephalus following SAH is multifactorial. The age, IVH, FH/ID ratio were related to hydrocephalus in analysis. There is a low clinical correlation between sex, hypertension, location of aneurysm, existence of ICH, GCS, Hunt-Hess SAH classification, Fisher Grade on admission and hydrocephalus. Conclusion : Knowledge on risk factors related to the occurrence of hydrocephalus may help guide neurosurgeons in the long-term care of patients who have experienced aneurysmal SAH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.153-156
• /
• 2007

Objective : Cerebral vasospasm is a devastating medical complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH]. Therefore, prompt detection of vasospasms in aneurysmal SAH is important to the clinical outcome of the patient. For better prediction and effective management of vasospasms, identifying risk factors is essential. This study is aimed at evaluating the relationship between clinical hematologic values, especially white blood cell count, and cerebral vasospasms. Methods : A retrospective review was conducted on 249 patients with aneurysmal SAH who underwent surgical clipping [230 cases] or endovascular intervention [19 cases] between 2003 and 2005. The underlying clinical conditions assessed were leukocytosis, fever, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, aneurysm location, and direct clipping versus endovascular intervention. Results : Two hundred forty-nine patients were treated for aneurysmal SAH during this period. We selected 158 patients in Hunt and Hess grade I - III. Cases of infectious conditions, rebleeding and other surgical/clinical complications were excluded. Vasospasms occurred $7.0{\pm}3.1$ days after the onset of SAH. There were several independent predictors of vasospasm : Fisher grade III [p=0.002], fever within two weeks on admission [p<0.001], and a serum leukocyte count >$10.8{\times}10^3/mm^3$ on admission [p=0.018]. Conclusion : This study results indicate that leukocytosis and fever increase the risk of vasospasms. However, other known risk factors, such as hypertension and smoking, were not correlated with respect to predicting of cerebral vasospasm. Monitoring the serum leukocyte count may be a helpful and useful marker of vasospasms after aneurysmal SAH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.12
• /
• pp.1375-1380
• /
• 2001

Objective : The authors analyzed the incidence, the cause and the prognosis of hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage to evaluate the risk factors of hydrocephalus and to provide the proper treatment method for hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods : The 505 cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage followed by aneurysmal surgery from January 1990 to May 1999, were divided into shunt group and shunt-free group and we were reviewed for the clinical status, Fisher's grade, brain CT findings and prognosis. Results : The incidence of acute hydrocephalus was 37.2% of patients and 18.9% to developed chronic hydrocephalus. Shunt surgery due to chronic hydrocephalus was required in 6.5% of patients. We found following variables were significantly related to shunt-dependent hydrocephalus : high Hunt-Hess and Fisher grade, initial CT findings of intraventricular hemorrahge, posterior circulation aneurysm, preoperative rebleeding, delayed ischemic deficits, and initial high ventricular size index. There were no statistically significant relationships between shunt-dependent hydrocephalus and patient age or sex, timing of operation. The previous hypertension was not related to shunt dependent hydrocephalus. Prognosis in shunt group showed poor result. Conclusion : The risk factors of hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage are high Hunt-Hess grade, high Fisher's grade, aneurysms of posterior circulations, preoperative aneurysmal rebleeding, delayed ischemic deficits, initial CT findings of intraventricular hemorrahge and initially increased ventricular size. The patients with these factors should the carefully observed and managed accordingly due to poor prognosis related to hydrocephalus requiring shunt operation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.480-484
• /
• 2010

Objective : To evaluate the role of lumbar drainage in the prevention of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms by coil embolization in good-grade patients. Methods : One-hundred-thirty consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in good-grade patients (Hunt & Hess grades I-III), who were treated by coil embolization between August 2004 and April 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Poor-grade patients (Hunt & Hess grades IV and V), a history of head trauma preceding the development of headache, negative angiograms, primary subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and loss to follow-up were excluded from the study. We assessed the effects on lumbar drainage on the risk of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus related to coil embolization in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Results : One-hundred-twenty-six patients (96.9%) did not develop shunt-dependent hydrocephalus. The 2 patients (1.5%) who developed acute hydrocephalus treated with temporary external ventricular drainage did not require permanent shunt diversion. Overall, 4 patients (3.1%) required permanent shunt diversion; acute hydrocephalus developed in 2 patients (50%). There was no morbidity or mortality amongst the patients who underwent a permanent shunt procedure. Conclusion : Coil embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms may be associated with a lower risk for developing shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, possibly by active management of lumbar drainage, which may reflect less damage for cisternal anatomy than surgical clipping. Coil embolization might have an effect the long-term outcome and decision-making for ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.sup1
• /
• pp.68-72
• /
• 2001

Objective : The goal of this study was to document the influence of the treatment modality(surgery versus endovascular treatment) on the development of chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in a series of 296 patients treated after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). Methods : The following parameters were retrospectively analyzed for association with chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus : 1) Age and Sex, 2) Hunt and Hess grade, 3) Fisher computed tomographic grade, 4) aneurysm location, and 5) treatment modality(surgery versus endovascular treatment). Results : Thirty-six of 251 patients(14.3%) who survived the SAH and its neurological and/or medical sequelae underwent definitive shunting for treatment of chronic hydrocephalus. The rate of shunt dependency was positively correlated with a higher age, a higher Hunt and Hess grade, a higher Fisher computed tomographic grade, and aneurysms arising at the anterior communicating artery(p<0.05). Conclusion : The results of the present study indicate that the treatment modality used does not affect the risk of the later development of chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus(surgery, 16.2% [25 of 154] ; endovascular treatment, 11.3% [11 of 97] ; p=0.45).

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