• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.152-162
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• 2024

Objective: Stroke is the second-leading cause of death globally. Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) represents 10-15% of ischemic strokes in Western countries and up to 47% in Asian countries. Patients with ICAS have an especially high risk of stroke recurrence. The aim of this meta-analysis is to reassess recurrent stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and other outcomes with stenting versus best medical management for symptomatic ICAS. Methods: The search protocol was developed a priori according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The OVID Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to August 14th, 2022. Results: This meta-analysis included four randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with a total number of 991 patients. The mean age of participants was 57 years. The total number of intracranial stenting patients was 495, and the number of medical treatment patients was 496. The included studies were published between 2011 and 2022. Two studies were conducted in the USA, and the other two in China. All included studies compared intracranial stenting to medical treatment for ICAS. Conclusions: In patients with ischemic stroke due to symptomatic severe intracranial atherosclerosis, the rate of 30-day ischemic stroke, 30-day intracerebral hemorrhage, one-year stroke in territory or mortality favored the medical treatment alone without intracranial stenting. The risk of same-territory stroke at last follow-up, disabling stroke at last follow-up, and mortality did not significantly favor either group. Intracranial stenting for atherosclerosis did not result in significant benefit over medical treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.166-169
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• 2010

Spontaneous intracranial epidural hematoma (EDH) due to dural metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma is very rare. A 53-year-old male patient with hepatocellular carcinoma, who was admitted to the department of oncology, was referred to department of neurosurgery because of sudden mental deterioration to semicoma with papillary anisocoria and decerebrate rigidity after transarterial chemoembolization for hepatoma. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed large amount of acute EDH with severe midline shifting. An emergent craniotomy and evacuation of EDH was performed. Active bleeding from middle cranial fossa floor was identified. There showed osteolytic change on the middle fossa floor with friable mass-like lesion spreading on the overlying dura suggesting metastasis. Pathological examination revealed anaplastic cells with sinusoidal arrangement which probably led to spontaneous hemorrhage and formation of EDH. As a rare cause of spontaneous EDH, dural metastasis from malignancy should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2007

Operative clipping after previous endovascular coiling in an aneurysm is a different problem from primary clipping procedure for neurosurgeons. With the increasing use of coil embolization, neurosurgeons will more and more face the similar situation. We report surgical clipping cases of intracranial aneurysm regrown after endovascular coiling. Three patients with a history of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to ruptured aneurysm underwent endovascular treatment (EVT) with detachable coils. The aneurysms were in the posterior communicating artery, the middle cerebral artery and distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA). Two near-total occlusions and one partial occlusion were achieved by EVT. After several months, angiographic follow-up revealed regrowth of the aneurysm requiring surgical clipping. Here, we report three cases in which surgical clipping was more difficult than a usual clipping procedure performed several months after EVT, because of adhesion and coil bulging into the aneurysmal neck. The difficulty of the treatment of the residual aneurysm after coiling is discussed, as are the surgical complications and limitations of clipping.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.235-239
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• 2007

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is believed to be a benign disease. However, numerous studies have reported serious complications related to SIH, including subdural hematoma. In this case report, a 54-year-old male patient visited the emergency room with orthostatic headache. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study showed diffuse mild thickening and enhancement of pachymeninges, with a suspicious minimal amount of subdural fluid collected in the left posterior parietal area. His orthostatic headache showed no improvement with conservative treatment; but his pain was almost completely relieved after two trials of cervical epidural blood patch. On the 74th day after the onset of his pain, the patient showed a drowsy mental status and slurred speech when he visited the pain clinic. Brain computerized tomography indicated a left subdural hemorrhage, and he underwent emergency operation to drain the SDH. In conclusion, pain clinicians should pay attention to abrupt changes in mental status as well as continuous headache, for the early diagnosis of SDH in SIH patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.527-530
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• 2014

Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) can extend into the intracranial subarachnoid space, but, severe cerebral vasospasm is rare complication of the extension of intracranial SAH from a spinal subarachnoid hematoma. A 67-year-old woman started anticoagulant therapy for unstable angina. The next day, she developed severe back pain and paraplegia. MRI showed intradural and extramedullar low signal intensity at the T2-3, consistent with intradural hematoma. High signal intensity was also noted in the spinal cord from C5 to T4. We removed subarachnoid hematoma compressing the spinal cord. The following day, the patient complained of severe headache. Brain CT revealed SAH around both parietal lobes. Three days later, her consciousness decreased and left hemiplegia also developed. Brain MRI demonstrated multiple cerebral infarctions, mainly in the right posterior cerebral artery territory, left parietal lobe and right watershed area. Conventional cerebral angiography confirmed diffuse severe vasospasm of the cerebral arteries. After intensive care for a month, the patient was transferred to the rehabilitation department. After 6 months, neurologic deterioration improved partially. We speculate that surgeons should anticipate possible delayed neurological complications due to cerebral vasospasm if intracranial SAH is detected after spinal subarachnoid hematoma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.313-320
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of emergent carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) for acute stroke due to athero-thrombotic occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery (ICA). Methods : Review of medical records identified 17 patients who underwent emergent CAS for treatment of athero-thrombotic occlusion of the cervical ICA with acute stroke between 2009 and 2013. Eleven patients (64.7%) presented with concomitant intracranial artery occlusion, which was treated primarily by mechanical thrombectomy after CAS. Results : Successful revascularization of the cervical ICA with emergent CAS was achieved in all patients. After CAS, intracranial recanalization with Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ${\geq}2b$ flow was achieved in four of the 11 patients (36.4%). The overall recanalization rate (cervical ICA and intracranial artery) was 10 of 17 patients (58.8%). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in two patients (11.8%), resulting in death. Ten patients (58.8%) showed improvement (decrease in NIHSS score of ${\geq}4$ points) at seven days after recanalization. Nine patients (52.9%) showed a favorable outcome ($mRS{\leq}2$) at the last follow-up. A favorable outcome ($mRS{\leq}2$) was obtained in four of the six patients with isolated cervical ICA occlusion (4/6, 66.7%) and five of 11 patients with intracranial tandem occlusion (5/11, 45.5%). Conclusion : Emergent CAS for acute stroke due to athero-thrombotic occusion of the cervical ICA showed a good technical feasibility and favorable clinical outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.379-384
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• 2016

Objective : Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is often complicated by difficult revascularization and non-involved territory embolization possibly related with larger clot-burden. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of proximal aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) using a balloon-tipped guide catheter for clot-burden reduction in such cases with period-to-period analysis (period 1 : standard MT without PAT; period 2 : PAT first, then standard MT for the remaining occlusion). Methods : Eighty-six patients who underwent MT for acute intracranial ICA occlusion were included in this analysis from the prospectively maintained stroke registry (33 patients in period 1 and 53 in period 2). In period 2, 'responder' was defined as a case where some amount of clot was retrieved by PAT and the following angiography showed partial or full recanalization. Results : Fifteen of fifty-three patients in period 2 (28.3%) were 'responders' to PAT. There was a significantly higher incidence of atrial fibrillation in the 'responder' subgroup. Period 2 showed a significantly shorter puncture-to-reperfusion time (94.5 minutes vs. 56.0 minutes; p=0.002), a significantly higher Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction of 2b-3 reperfusion (45.5% vs. 73.6%; p=0.009), but only a trend for better 3-month favorable outcome (mRS 0-2; 36.4% vs. 54.7%; p=0.097). There was no increase in the incidence of procedure-related complications or intracranial hemorrhage in period 2. Conclusion : A strategy of PAT before standard MT may result in shorter puncture-to-reperfusion time and better angiographic outcome than a strategy of standard MT for acute intracranial ICA occlusion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2007

Objective : Pontine hemorrhages usually result in a much higher morbidity and mortality than any other intracranial vascular lesion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate survival and the contributing factors for patients with pontine hemorrhage. Methods : Of the 41 patients who were admitted to our hospital with their first acute pontine hemorrhage from 1997 to 2005, 35 patients were included in this study. Medical records were reviewed to confirm the accuracy of diagnosis and collect demographic, clinical and radiological data. The patients were divided into two groups, survivors and deceased patients; then the survivors were divided again into a group of patient with good results and those with poor results. The location of the hematoma, maximum anteroposterior [AP] diameter, maximum transverse diameter, hematoma volume, ventricular extension, extension into the midbrain, hydrocephalus and initial Glasgow coma scale [GCS] were evaluated. Results : The two year survival rate was 58.5%. The survival of patients with pontine hemorrhage was affected by initial GCS score and transverse hematoma dimeter. Functional outcome of patients who survived was affected by initial GCS, maximum transverse diameter, maximum AP diameter and hematoma volume. Conclusion : The rate of survival after pontine hemorrhage is associated with the transverse diameter of the hematoma and more importantly the initial GCS. Long-term outcome of survivors is influenced by the initial GCS, transverse diameter, AP diameter and volume. Through the multivariate analysis, initial GCS is the only significant factor on survival. Strictly speaking, initial GCS is not modifiable. However, surgical reduction may be considered to amend theses decisive factors. Additional study for indication, timing and method of surgical management is needed.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2014

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to identify interventions and to analyze the characteristics of headaches among hospitalized patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage with moderate or severe headaches. Methods: A retrospective review of the electronic medical records of 210 patients who received treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhage was conducted. Data collection was done using a structured headache record sheet. Data analysis was carried out using the PASW 18.0 version program. Results: There were significant differences in number and duration of headaches of headaches according to the presence of vasospasm, increased intracranial pressure, extraventricular drainage, use of hypertonic solution, and hospitalization period (p<0.05). Patients with vasospasm and extraventricular drainage experienced the most severe headache for a duration of 3 to 7 days. Other patients experienced the most severe headache for around 1-2 days. Conclusion: Hospitalized patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage who had vasospasms experienced more headaches and the duration of these headaches were longer. In particular, the assessment and interventions for headaches should increase and be carried out actively during this time because the intensity of these headaches is severe and lasts for 3-7 days. Additionally, we emphasize the need for regular administration of analgesics in order to promote patients' well-being. On the basis of the results of this study,we suggest that evidence-based interventions for the care of headaches among hospitalized patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage should be developed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.56-68
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• 2020

Objective : To analyze the incidence and treatment trends of hemorrhagic stroke (HS), according to HS subtypes, using nationwide data in Korea from January 2008 to December 2016. Methods : We used data from the national health-claim database provided by the National Health Insurance Service for 2008-2016 using the International Classification of Diseases. The crude incidence and age-standardized incidence of each disease associated with HS, which included intracranial aneurysm (IA), hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and arteriovenous malformation (AVM), were calculated and additional analysis was conducted according to age and sex. Changes in trends in treatment methods and number of treatments were analyzed for each cerebrovascular disease using the Korean Classification of Diseases procedure codes. Results : In 2016, the total number of newly diagnosed adult patients with HS was 24169, showing a decrease by 7.0% since 2008; the age-standardized incidence of HS was 46.2 per 100000 person-years. The age-standardized incidence of unruptured IA (UIA) in adults was 71.4 per 100000 person-years-increased by 2.6-fold since 2008-while that of ruptured IA (RIA) was 12.6 per 100000 person-years, which had decreased at a rate of 20.3% since 2008. The number of coil embolization (CE) for UIA increased by 3.4-fold over 9 years and exceeded that of clipping since 2008. With respect to RIA, CE increased by 2.0-fold over 9 years and exceeded that of clipping from 2014. As for spontaneous ICH in adults, the age-standardized incidence was 31.3 per 100000 person-years in 2016-decreased by 34.7% since 2008-and 14.6% of patients diagnosed with ICH were treated in 2016, which was not significantly different from the proportion of patients treated since 2008. The age-standardized incidence of unruptured AVM (UAVM) was 2.0 per 100000 person-year in 2016, while that of ruptured AVM (RAVM) was 2.4 per 100000 person-years in 2016, showing a decreasing rate of 17.2% from 2008. The total number of treated patients with AVM declined since 2014. Conclusion : In Korea, age-related cerebral vascular diseases, such as RIA, ICH, and RAVM, demonstrated a declining trend in age-standardized incidence; meanwhile, UIA and UAVM demonstrated an increased trend in both crude incidence and age-standardized incidence for 9 years. The increase in the elderly population, management of hypertension, and development of diagnostic and endovascular techniques appear to have influenced this trend.