• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제59권6호
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• pp.570-576
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• 2016

Objective : Elevated cell counts and protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) result from disease activity in patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC). Previous studies evaluated the use of CSF profiles to monitor a treatment response or predict prognosis. CSF profiles vary, however, according to the sampling site and the patient's systemic condition. We compared lumbar and ventricular CSF profiles collected before intraventricular chemotherapy for LMC and evaluated the association of these profiles with patients' systemic factors and LMC disease activity. Methods : CSF profiles were retrospectively collected from 228 patients who underwent Ommaya reservoir insertion for intraventricular chemotherapy after a diagnosis of LMC. Lumbar samples taken via lumbar puncture were used for the diagnosis, and ventricular samples were obtained later at the time of Ommaya reservoir insertion. LMC disease activity was defined as the presence of LMC-related symptoms such as increased intracranial pressure, hydrocephalus, cranial neuropathy, and cauda equina syndrome. Results : Cell counts (median : 8 vs. 1 cells/mL) and protein levels (median : 68 vs. 17 mg/dL) significantly higher in lumbar CSF than in ventricular CSF (p<0.001). Among the evaluated systemic factors, concomitant brain metastasis and previous radiation were significantly correlated with higher protein levels in the lumbar CSF (p=0.01 and <0.001, respectively). Among the LMC disease activity, patients presenting with hydrocephalus or cauda equina syndrome showed higher lumbar CSF protein level compared with that in patients without those symptoms (p=0.049 and p<0.001, respectively). The lumbar CSF cell count was significantly lower in patients with cranial neuropathy (p=0.046). The ventricular CSF cell counts and protein levels showed no correlation with LMC symptoms. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which was measured from ventricular CSF after the diagnosis in 109 patients, showed a significant association with the presence of hydrocephalus (p=0.01). Conclusion : The protein level in lumbar CSF indicated the localized disease activity of hydrocephalus and cauda equina syndrome. In the ventricular CSF, only the CEA level reflected the presence of hydrocephalus. We suggest using more specific biomarkers for the evaluation of ventricular CSF to monitor disease activity and treatment response.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.648-652
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• 2010

Purpose: A brain abscess is a serious disease of the central nerve system. We conducted this study to summarize the clinical manifestations and outcomes of brain abscesses. Methods: A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients diagnosed with brain abscesses from November 1994 to June 2009 was performed at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Results: Twenty-five patients were included in this study. On average, 1.67 cases per year were identified and the median age was 4.3 years. The common presenting clinical manifestations were fever (18/25, 72%), seizure (12/25, 48%), altered mental status (11/25, 44%), and signs of increased intracranial pressure (9/25, 36%). A total of 14 (56%) patients had underlying illnesses, with congenital heart disease (8/25, 32%) as the most common cause. Predisposing factors were identified in 15 patients (60%). The common predisposing factors were otogenic infection (3/25, 12%) and penetrating head trauma (3/25, 12%). Causative organisms were identified in 64% of patients (16/25). The causative agents were $S$ $intermedius$ (n=3), $S$ $aureus$ (n=3), $S$ $pneumoniae$ (n=1), Group B streptococcus (n=2), $E.$ $coli$ (n=1), $P.$ $aeruginosa$ (n=1), and suspected fungal infection (n=5). Seven patients received medical treatment only while the other 18 patients also required surgical intervention. The overall fatality rate was 16% and 20% of patients had neurologic sequelae. There was no statistical association between outcomes and the factors studied. Conclusion: Although uncommon, a brain abscess is a serious disease. A high level of suspicion is very important for early diagnosis and to prevent serious consequences.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.25-33
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• 1990

가토의 적출동맥평활근 절편에 대한 peptide YY(PYY)의 수축작용을 관찰하고, PYY의 수축기전상 동원되는 칼슘의 기원을 조사하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 각 동맥의 나선형 절편은 PYY의 실험조내 첨가에 의하여 농도의존적인 수축반응을 보였다. 그중 대퇴동맥이 가장 강력하고 예민한 수축경향을 보였으며, 그 다음은 대뇌의 기저동맥, 총장골동맥, 상장간막동맥, 신동맥, 총경동맥의 순으로 예민하였다. PYY에 대한 반응성을 Norepinephrine(NE)에 대한 반응성과 비교해볼때, 총경동맥과 신동맥은 PYY보다 NE에 대해서 유의하게 $(p{\leqslant}0.05)$예민하였고, 기저동맥은 NE보다 PYY에 더 예민하였다$(p{\leqslant}0.05)$. 대퇴동맥 절편에서 칼슘통로봉쇄제인 verapamil과 세포내 저장칼슘유리를 억제하는 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)octyl ester ${\ulcorner}TMB-8{\lrcorner}$는 각각 PYY에 의한 수축을 억제하였는데 $(p{\leqslant}0.05)$, verapamil과 TMB-8이 동시에 존재할 때는 PYY에 의한 수축은 거의 완전히 억제되었고, ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether), N,N,N‘,N’-tetraacetic acid${\ulcorner}EGTA{\lrcorner}$0.5mM를 첨가한 칼슘배제용액 내에서도 PYY에 의한 수축은 거의 완전히 억압되었다. 이상의 결과를 종합하면, 혈중 PYY가 증가했을 때는 교감신경계흥분시보다 강한 뇌혈관의 수축이 일어날 수 있으며, 뇌동맥압은 교감신경계 흥분시보다 더 높을 수가 있으리라 추정된다. 또 PYY에 의한 혈관 평활근 수축에는 세포외액의 칼슘과 세포내저장칼슘의 이용이 공히 필수적이라고 생각된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.748-753
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• 2000

Objectives : A 10-year retrospective clinical study was undertaken to determine the differences between two groups according to age at presentation(group A, under 50 ; B, over 50). Methods : We analyzed 468 cases with chronic subdural hematoma admitted to the department of neurosurgery in our hospital from January 1987 to December 1996. The patients were divided into two groups according to age at presentation(group A, under 50 ; B, over 50). Results : 1) The number of group A was 126 cases(26.9%) and that of group B was 342 cases(73.1%), respectively. Males were more frequently involved than females in each group. 2) There noted a history of head trauma in 88.9% of group A and 92.4% of group B. Forty-nine patients(38.9%) of group A and 103 cases(30.1%) of group B revealed a history of alcoholism. 3) Group A patients presented with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure such as headache(75.% ), nausea and vomiting(68.0%). However, Group B patients had more frequent mental changes(84.0%) and focal neurological deficits such as hemiparesis(76.5%). 4) Onset of symptom and its duration was shorter in group A than group B. 5) Six patients among 441 cases(1.4%) treated with burr hole drainage and two patients of 27 cases(5.4%) with craniotomy died, and all of these were group B patients. The two cases among six patients with burr hole drainage developed huge intracerebral hemorrhage and brain stem hemorrhage, respectively. Conclusion : In treating patients with chronic subdural hematoma, distinguishing between two age groups is quite helpful to determine treatment strategies.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권12호
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• pp.1399-1405
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• 2001

Objectives : Gliomatosis cerebri is an uncommon primary brain tumor characterized by diffuse neoplastic proliferation of glial cells, with the preservation of the underlying cytoarchitecture. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical features, outcome of surgical treatment and adjuvant therapy of gliomatosis cerebri. Methods : Between Jan. 1990 and Dec. 2000, 12 patients were diagnosed with gliomatosis cerebri based on characteristic radiological and histological findings. The patients' age ranged from 18 to 77(mean 44) years and the male to female ratio was 7 : 5. Nine patients underwent decompressive surgery and three, biopsy only. Postoperative radiation therapy was given in all cases except three. In addition to radiation therapy, four patients received chemotherapy. The mean duration of follow-up period was 18.8 months. Results : The most common presenting symptom were seizure and motor weakness. The mean duration of symptom was 5.9 months. There was 5 bilateral lesions and tumor involved corpus callosum in 5, basal ganglia-thalamus in 4, and brain stem in 2. There was no operative mortality but four patients died during the follow-up. The mean survival period for 11 patients was 20.5 months from the time of diagnosis. In univariate analysis, the lesion involving corpus callosum, basal ganglia-thalamus and brain stem correlated significantly with the short length of survival(p<0.05). Also, postoperative radiation as a adjuvant therapy prolonged the patient's survival(p<0.05). Conclusions : In the management of gliomatosis cerebri patients, early detection by MR imaging, active management of increased intracranial pressure, decompressive surgical removal and postoperative adjuvant therapy such as radiation is thought to be a good treatment modality.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제59권5호
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• pp.492-497
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• 2016

Objective : Decompressive craniectomy is an effective therapy to relieve high intracranial pressure after acute brain damage. However, the optimal timing for cranioplasty after decompression is still controversial. Many authors reported that early cranioplasty may contribute to improve the cerebral blood flow and brain metabolism. However, despite all the advantages, there always remains a concern that early cranioplasty may increase the chance of infection. The purpose of this retrospective study is to investigate whether the early cranioplasty increase the infection rate. We also evaluated the risk factors of infection following cranioplasty. Methods : We retrospectively examined the results of 131 patients who underwent cranioplasty in our institution between January 2008 and June 2015. We divided them into early (${\leq}90days$) and late (>90 days after craniectomy) groups. We examined the risk factors of infection after cranioplasty. We analyzed the infection rate between two groups. Results : There were more male patients (62%) than female (38%). The mean age was 49 years. Infection occurred in 17 patients (13%) after cranioplasty. The infection rate of early cranioplasty was lower than that of late cranioplasty (7% vs. 20%; p=0.02). Early cranioplasty, non-metal allograft materials, re-operation before cranioplasty and younger age were the significant factors in the infection rate after cranioplasty (p<0.05). Especially allograft was a significant risk factor of infection (odds ratio, 12.4; 95% confidence interval, 3.24-47.33; p<0.01). Younger age was also a significant risk factor of infection after cranioplasty by multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-0.99; p=0.02). Conclusion : Early cranioplasty did not increase the infection rate in this study. The use of non-metal allograft materials influenced a more important role in infection in cranioplasty. Actually, timing itself was not a significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. So the early cranioplasty may bring better outcomes in cognitive functions or wound without raising the infection rate.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.15-21
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• 1995

To evaluate availability of cerebral radionuclide imaging for diagnosis of brain death, we examined 25 patients with a suspected clinical diagnosis of brain death. 8 patients were studied by $^{99m}Tc$ DTPA and 15 patients were studied by $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO (Hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime). Seven patients with $^{99m}Tc$ DTPA studies revealed absence of cerebral blood flow and sagittal sinus activity. All of 15 patients with $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO studies revealed complete absence of cerebral perfusion. The results of the cerebral radionuclide studies of brain death correlated with other clinical conditions, such as intracranial pressure(ICP), EEG, transcranial doppler sonography(TCDS), and neurologic examination. The ICP of 8 patients, who are confirmed by brain death with $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO study are elevated in all cases. In conclusion, cerebral radionuclide imaging for diagnosis of brain death is available. $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO imaging is unequivocal, easily interpreted, well reflect the physiologic state of increased ICP, and provides adequate assessment of posterior fossa activity. In addition, the SPECT imaging with $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO produces more accurate results due to it's superiority of image contrast and proper localization of radiopharmaceutical distribution than conventional planar imaging.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.175-187
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• 2014

The purpose of this clinical practice guideline (CPG) is to provide current and comprehensive recommendations for the medical and surgical management of primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Since the release of the first Korean CPGs for stroke, evidence has been accumulated in the management of ICH, such as intracranial pressure control and minimally invasive surgery, and it needs to be reflected in the updated version. The Quality Control Committee at the Korean Society of cerebrovascular Surgeons and the Writing Group at the Clinical Research Center for Stroke (CRCS) systematically reviewed relevant literature and major published guidelines between June 2007 and June 2013. Based on the published evidence, recommendations were synthesized, and the level of evidence and the grade of the recommendation were determined using the methods adapted from CRCS. A draft guideline was scrutinized by expert peer reviewers and also discussed at an expert consensus meeting until final agreement was achieved. CPGs based on scientific evidence are presented for the medical and surgical management of patients presenting with primary ICH. This CPG describes the current pertinent recommendations and suggests Korean recommendations for the medical and surgical management of a patient with primary ICH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제66권6호
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• pp.618-631
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• 2023

The brain houses vital hormonal regulatory structures such as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which may confer unique susceptibilities to critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) in patients with neurological disorders. In addition, the frequent use of steroids for therapeutic purposes in various neurological conditions may lead to the development of steroid insufficiency. This abstract aims to highlight the significance of understanding these relationships in the context of patient care and management for physicians. Neurological disorders may predispose patients to CIRCI due to the role of the brain in hormonal regulation. Early recognition of CIRCI in the context of neurological diseases is essential to ensure prompt and appropriate intervention. Moreover, the frequent use of steroids for treating neurological conditions can contribute to the development of steroid insufficiency, further complicating the clinical picture. Physicians must be aware of these unique interactions and be prepared to evaluate and manage patients with CIRCI and steroid insufficiency in the context of neurological disorders. This includes timely diagnosis, appropriate steroid administration, and careful monitoring for potential adverse effects. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between neurological disease, CIRCI, and steroid insufficiency is critical for optimizing patient care and outcomes in this complex patient population.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.255-262
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• 2003

전체 뇌졸중의 $15{\sim}20%$를 차지하고 있는 열공성 뇌경색(lacunar infarction)은 최근 뇌경색형 뇌졸중의 증가와 더불어 그 중요성이 점차 증가하고 있는데, 1년 이내 뇌경색이 재발되거나 노인, 고혈압 및 초기 신경학적 이상과 같은 감수성 인자가 있는 경우 뇌경색 재발과 혈관성 치매 발생 위험이 있어 삼차예방적 측면에서의 적절한 처치가 필요한 질병이다. 그렇지만 열공성 뇌경색은 증상이 없거나 경미한 경우가 상당히 많아 환자 자신이 치료의 중요성을 느끼지 못할 뿐 아니라 의사들도 환자의 경미한 신경학적 이상을 인지하지 못하여 처치의 당위성에 대해 설득력있는 근거를 제시할 수 없어 적절한 처치가 미비한 상황이다. 본 연구는 신경학적 자각 증상은 없지만 MRI상 열공성 뇌경색으로만 진단된 환자군이 MRI상 이상소견이 관찰되지 않는 대조군에 비하여 신경행동 검사상 차이가 관찰될 것이라는 가설을 구명하고자 하였다. 따라서 뇌졸중의 증상 및 증후 없이 두개골 외상 혹은 두통, 경부강직 등과 같은 신경학적 이상으로 MRI를 촬영한 대상자 중에서 다른 이상 없이 열공성 뇌경색으로만 진단될 환자군과 특별한 이상 소견이 없는 것으로 진단된 대조군에서 WHO의 NCTB(neurobehavioral core test battery)검사의 일부와 Perdue pegboard score검사를 시행하였고, 그 결과 대조군에 비해 환자군의 신경행동 이상이 평균 및 가장 빠른 단순반응시간 검사를 제외한 5개 검사에서 관찰되었다. 본 검사의 결과는 자각 증상이 없거나 경미한 증상을 호소하는 열공성 뇌경색 환자들의 차후 필요한 검사의 선별과 삼차 예방적 측면에서 처치의 근거로서 활용될 수 있을 것이다. 또한 자각 증상이 없거나 경미한 증상이 있지만 진찰상 신경학적 이상 증후를 거의 찾을 수 없는 대상자에서 MRI검사 필요성의 근거를 확인하고자 하는 대상자에게 이용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.