• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2007

Temporary occlusion of the parent artery or feeding artery is an useful method in microsurgery for cerebrovascular diseases. The advantages of the temporary clipping for intracranial aneurysm surgery have already been proven by many experimental and clinical reports. Currently, there are two methods of temporary clipping: 1) intermittent clipping, 2) continuous clipping. In many previous studies, the intermittent, repeated clipping technique was reported to reduce ischemic damage to the brain, but it is still debated. On the other hand, a comparison of the histological changes on the arterial wall between each clipping method has not been sufficiently reported yet. So the authors performed experimental temporary clipping on the common carotid and femoral arteries of about 25 rats using the Sugita temporary mini-clip. The specimens were divided into two major groups and seven subgroups: Group I (I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4, intermittent clippings for 5 minutes were done once, twice, three times, and few times), and Group C (C-10, C-15, C-20, continuous clippings for 10, 15, 20 minutes, respectively). The reperfusion time after the temporary clipping was the same as the clipping duration. Under light microscope, the histological findings by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining were examined in all specimens, which were obtained at each time interval after temporary clipping. Then the histological changes of the arterial walls by two different methods were compared with the normal specimen. The results suggest that intermittent temporary clipping is less damaging on the arterial wall than single continuous clipping.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.521-527
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• 2000

Objective : In general, most of saccular aneurysms arise at arterial divisions, but those arising at unbranched site are rare. These aneurysms might impose neurosurgeons a formidable surgical challenge, due to uncommon features and a difficult surgical technique. Methods : Between the period of Jan. 1996 and Dec. 1998, a total of 110 cases of aneurysms were operated. Among them, five cases of unbranched site aneurysms were retrospectively analyzed through medical records, angiographic and operative findings. Results : The incidence of aneurysms unrelated to arterial branches was 4.5%. All cases presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) ; three(60%) were at internal carotid artery(ICA) and two(40%) at middle cerebral artery (MCA). Two had a history of hypertension and three showed atherosclerotic changes in the arterial wall. One ICA and one MCA aneurysms proved to be a blood blister-like aneurysm(BBA) in their shape. Strikingly, a rapid neurological deterioration was shown in two ruptured ICA variants, which resulted in death and another two aneurysms left with morbidity. Conclusion : The preoperative neurological status in most cases was relatively poor compared to that of aneurysms arising at a branched site. Regarding its pathogenesis, atherosclerosis as well as hemodynamic factors may play an important role in formation of these variant aneurysms among various etiological factors. The overall prognosis of unbranched site aneurysms was worse than that of branched site aneurysms. In cases of BBAs, special attention was requisite to handle them during clipping and/or wrapping due to an easy fragile, thin aneurysmal wall.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2017

Objective : The purposes of this study were to introduce a superficial temporal artery (STA)-sparing mini-pterional approach for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms and review the surgical results of this approach. Methods : Between June 2010 and December 2015, we performed the STA-sparing mini-pterional approach for 117 patients with 141 unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We analyzed demographic, radiologic, and clinical variables including age, sex, craniotomy size, aneurysm location, height of STA bifurcation, and postoperative complications. Results : The mean age of patients was 58.4 years. The height of STA bifurcation from the superior border of the zygomatic arch was $20.5mm{\pm}10.0$ (standard deviation [SD]). The craniotomy size was $1051.6mm^2{\pm}206.5$ (SD). Aneurysm neck clipping was possible in all cases. Intradural anterior clinoidectomy was performed in four cases. Contralateral approaches to aneurysms were adopted for four cases. Surgery-related complications occurred in two cases. Permanent morbidity occurred in one case. Conclusion : Our STA-sparing mini-pterional approach for surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms is easy to learn and has the advantages of small incision, STA sparing, and a relatively wide surgical field. It may be a good alternative to the conventional pterional approach for treating cerebral aneurysms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.524-533
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• 2021

Objective : When treating high-positioned anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms, pterional-transsylvian and interhemispheric approaches are both viable options, yet comparative studies of these two surgical approaches are rare. Accordingly, this retrospective study investigated the surgical results of both approaches. Methods : Twenty-four patients underwent a pterional approach (n=11) or interhemispheric approach (n=13), including a unilateral low anterior interhemispheric approach or bifrontal interhemispheric approach, for high-positioned ACoA aneurysms with an aneurysm dome height >15 mm and aneurysm neck height >10 mm both measured from the level of the anterior clinoid process. The clinical and radiological data were reviewed to investigate the surgical results and risk factors of incomplete clipping. Results : The pterional patient group showed a significantly higher incidence of incomplete clipping than the interhemispheric patient group (p=0.031). Four patients (36.4%) who underwent a pterional approach showed a postclipping aneurysm remnant, whereas all the patients who experienced an interhemispheric approach showed complete clipping. In one case, the aneurysm remnant was obliterated by coiling, while follow-up of the other three cases showed the remnants remained limited to the aneurysm base. A multivariate analysis revealed that a pterional approach for a large aneurysm with a diameter >8 mm presented a statistically significant risk factor for incomplete clipping. Conclusion : For high-positioned ACoA aneurysms with a dome height >15 mm and neck height >10 mm above the level of the anterior clinoid process, a large aneurysm with a diameter >8 mm can be clipped more completely via an interhemispheric approach than via a pterional approach.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2024

Objective : The primary treatment goal of current endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for emergent large-vessel occlusion (ELVO) is complete recanalization after a single maneuver, referred to as the 'first-pass effect' (FPE). Hence, we aimed to identify the predictive factors of FPE and assess its effect on clinical outcomes in patients with ELVO of the anterior circulation. Methods : Among the 129 patients who participated, 110 eligible patients with proximal ELVO (intracranial internal carotid artery and proximal middle cerebral artery) who achieved successful recanalization after EVT were retrospectively reviewed. A comparative analysis between patients who achieved FPE and all others (defined as a non-FPE group) was performed regarding baseline characteristics, clinical variables, and clinical outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were subsequently conducted for potential predictive factors with p<0.10 in the univariate analysis to determine the independent predictive factors of FPE. Results : FPE was achieved in 31 of the 110 patients (28.2%). The FPE group had a significantly higher level of functional independence at 90 days than did the non-FPE group (80.6% vs. 50.6%, p=0.002). Pretreatment intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) (odds ratio [OR], 3.179; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.025-9.861; p=0.045), door-to-puncture (DTP) interval (OR, 0.959; 95% CI, 0.932-0.987; p=0.004), and the use of balloon guiding catheter (BGC) (OR, 3.591; 95% CI, 1.231-10.469; p=0.019) were independent predictive factors of FPE. Conclusion : In conclusion, pretreatment IVT, use of BGC, and a shorter DTP interval were positively associated with FPE, increasing the chance of acquiring better clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.268-271
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• 2013

Occipital neuralgia is a rare pain syndrome characterized by periodic lancinating pain involving the occipital nerve complex. We present a unique case of entrapment of the greater occipital nerve (GON) within the semispinalis capitis, which was thought to be the cause of occipital neuralgia. A 66-year-old woman with refractory left occipital neuralgia revealed an abnormally low-loop of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery on the magnetic resonance imaging, suggesting possible vascular compression of the upper cervical roots. During exploration, however, the GON was found to be entrapped at the perforation site of the semispinalis capitis. There was no other compression of the GON or of C1 and C2 dorsal roots in their intracranial course. Postoperatively, the patient experienced almost complete relief of typical neuralgic pain. Although occipital neuralgia has been reported to occur by stretching of the GON by inferior oblique muscle or C1-C2 arthrosis, peripheral compression in the transmuscular course of the GON in the semispinalis capitis as a cause of refractory occipital neuralgia has not been reported and this should be considered when assessing surgical options for refractory occipital neuralgia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.88-90
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• 2010

Retroperitoneal hematoma (RH) due to radiologic intervention for an intracranial lesion is relatively rare, difficult to diagnose, and can be lifethreatening. We report a case of RH that developed in a patient on anticoagulant therapy following endovascular coiling of a ruptured anterior communicating artery (AcoA) aneurysm. An 82-year-old man presented with a 12-day history of headache. Computed tomography (CT) on admission demonstrated slight subarachnoid hemorrhage, and left carotid angiography revealed an AcoA aneurysm. The next day, the aneurysm was occluded with coils via the femoral approach under general anesthesia. The patient received a bolus of 5,000 units of heparin immediately following the procedure, and an infusion rate of 10,000 units/day was initiated. The patient gradually became hypotensive 25 hours after coiling. Abdominal CT showed a huge, high-density soft-tissue mass filling the right side of the retroperitoneum space. The patient eventually died of multiple organ failure five days after coiling. RH after interventional radiology for neurological disease is relatively rare and can be difficult to diagnose if consciousness is disturbed. This case demonstrates the importance of performing routine physical examinations, sequentially measuring the hematocrit and closely monitoring systemic blood pressures following interventional radiologic procedures in patients with abnormal mental status.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.125-128
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• 2012

Bleeding is the most common and serious complication of thrombolysis in ST elevation myocardial infarction. Most bleeding cases are associated with an intervention or operation, but spontaneous bleeding such as gastro-intestinal bleeding or intracranial hemorrhage can happen. This is a report on the case of a 76-year-old female patient with retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to spontaneous right colic artery branch bleeding after thrombolysis in ST elevation myocardial infarction.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.352-356
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• 2016

Objective : The efficacy and safety of manual aspiration thrombectomy using Penumbra in an acute occlusion of large intracranial arteries has been proven in many previous studies. Our study aimed to retrospectively assess the efficacy and safety of manual aspiration thrombectomy using Penumbra in patients with small vessel occlusions (M2 segment of the MCA). Methods : We conducted a retrospective review of 32 patients who underwent manual aspiration thrombectomy using the Penumbra 4 MAX Reperfusion Catheter for treatment of an M2 occlusion between January 2013 and November 2014. We evaluated immediate angiographic results and clinical outcomes through review of patient electronic medical records. Results : There were slightly more men in this study (M : F=18 : 14) and the median age was 72.5 (age range : 41-90). The rate of successful recanalization (TICI grade ${\geq}2b$) was 84% (27/32). NIHSS at discharge and favorable clinical outcomes at 3 months were significantly improved than baseline. Median initial NIHSS score was 10 (range : 4-25) and was 4 (range : 0-14) at discharge. Favorable clinical outcomes (mRS score ${\leq}2$ at 3 months) were seen in 25 out of 32 patients (78%). There were no procedure-related symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages. One patient expired after discharge due to a cardiac problem. Conclusion : Manual aspiration thrombectomy might be safe and is capable of achieving a high rate of successful recanalization and favorable clinical outcomes in patients with distal cerebral vessel occlusion (M2).

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.113-117
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• 2006

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that may affect many organ systems including the nervous system. The immune response in patients with SLE can cause inflammation and other damage that can cause significant injury to the arteries and tissues. A 48-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of transient monocular blindness. Magnetic resonance imaging and conventional angiography showed severe stenosis of the distal intracranial internal carotid artery. The patient was diagnosed as having SLE but the antiphospholipid antibodies were negative. Amaurosis fugax has not been previously reported as an initial manifestation of SLE in Korea. We report a patient with a retinal transient ischemic attack as the first manifestation of SLE.