• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.592-599
• /
• 2001

Objective : The anterior communicating artery(ACoA) is known to be the most frequent location of intracranial aneurysms, but the complex arterial anatomy of the ACoA region makes this aneurysm among the most difficult one to treat. In the treatment of ACoA aneurysms, the direction of aneurysmal fundus is known to be very important in the surgical tactics. All ACoA aneurysms in our series were classified according to its direction, and analyzed the clinical features in order to investigate the prognostic factors influencing upon the surgical outcome. Methods : The authors reviewed 236 cases of ruptured ACoA aneurysms that were operated from 1990 to 1997, were classified according to Pia's classification. Results : The incidence rate of the ACoA aneurysm was 35.1%(236/672). Ventral group was more common than dorsal group, especially in ventro-caudal projection subgroup(36.0%). Poor preoperative clinical grade(Hunt-Hess grade IV and V) patients were more common in dorsal group(13.1%) than ventral group(2.6%). Rebleeding and intracerebral hematoma were more commonly seen in ventral group. However, vasospasm, hydrocephalus, hyponatremia, and intraventricular hemorrhage were observed more frequently in dorsal group. Worse outcome was more common in dorsal group than ventral group, especially in dorso-caudal projection subgroup. Also, poor outcome was identified in patients with intracerebral hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, hyponatremia, and hypertension, although statistically insignificant. In cases with the A1 dominancy, there was no difference in surgical outcome between the right and left side approach. The higher the aneurysmal neck from the planum sphenoidale, the worse outcome via pterional approach. Conclusion : It seems that the preoperative clinical grade, aneurysmal direction, and the height of aneurysmal neck, especially in the pterional approach, would be the major prognostic factors, and that intracerebral hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, hyponatremia, hydrocephalus and the intraoperative aneurysmal rupture would be the minor prognostic factors.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.60 no.5
• /
• pp.511-517
• /
• 2017

Objective : Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and ischemic stroke share common vascular risk factors such as aging and hypertension. Previous studies suggested that the rate of recurrent ICH and ischemic stroke might be similar after ICH. Presence of cerebral arterial stenosis is a potential risk factor for future ischemic stroke. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with cerebral arterial stenosis in Korean patients with spontaneous ICH. Methods : A total of 167 patients with spontaneous ICH were enrolled. Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) and extracranial arterial stenosis (ECAS) were assessed by computed tomography angiography. Presence of ICAS was defined if patients had arterial stenosis in at least one intracranial artery. ECAS was assessed in the extracranial carotid artery. More than 50% luminal stenosis was defined as presence of stenosis. Prevalence and factors associated with presence of ICAS and cerebral arterial stenosis (presence of ICAS and/or ECAS) were investigated by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results : Thirty-two (19.2%) patients had ICAS, 7.2% had ECAS, and 39 (23.4%) patients had any cerebral arterial stenosis. Frequency of ICAS and ECAS did not differ among ganglionic ICH, lobar ICH, and brainstem ICH. Age was higher in patients with ICAS ($67.6{\pm}11.8$ vs. $58.9{\pm}13.6years$ p=0.004) and cerebral arterial stenosis ($67.9{\pm}11.6$ vs. $59.3{\pm}13.5years$, p<0.001) compared to those without stenosis. Patients with ICAS were older, more frequently had diabetes, had a higher serum glucose level, and had a lower hemoglobin level than those without ICAS. Patients with cerebral arterial stenosis were older, had diabetes and lower hemoglobin level, which was consistent with findings in patients with ICAS. However, patients with cerebral arterial stenosis showed higher prevalence of hypertension and decreased kidney function compared to those without cerebral arterial stenosis. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that aging and presence of diabetes independently predicted the presence of ICAS, and aging, diabetes, and hypertension were independently associated with presence of cerebral arterial stenosis. Conclusion : 19.2% of patients with spontaneous ICH had ICAS, but the prevalence of ECAS was relatively lower (7.2%) compared with ICAS. Aging and diabetes were independent factors for the presence of ICAS, whereas aging, hypertension, and diabetes were factors for the cerebral arterial stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.64 no.2
• /
• pp.198-206
• /
• 2021

Objective : The low-profile Neuroform Atlas stent can be deployed directly without an exchange maneuver by navigating into the Gateway balloon. This retrospective study assessed the safety and efficacy of Neuroform Atlas stenting as a rescue treatment after failure of mechanical thrombetomy (MT) for large artery occlusion. Methods : Between June 2018 and December 2019, a total of 31 patients underwent Neuroform Atlas stenting with prior Gateway balloon angioplasty after failure of conventional MT caused by residual intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Primary outcomes were successful recanalization and patency of the vessel 24 hours after intervention. Secondary outcomes were vessel patency after 14 days and 3-month modified Rankin Scale. Peri-procedural complications, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and 3-month mortality were reviewed. Results : With a 100% of successful recanalization, median value of stenosis was reduced from 79.0% to 23.5%. Twenty-eight patients (90.3%) showed tolerable vessel patency after 14 days. New infarctions occurred in three patients (9.7%) over a period of 14 days; two patient (6.5%) underwent stent occlusion at 24 hours, and the other patient (3.2%) with delayed stent occlusion had a non-symptomatic dot infarct. There were no peri-procedural complications. Two patients (6.5%) developed an ICH immediately after the procedure with one of them is symptomatic. Conclusion : Neuroform Atlas stenting seems to be an effective and safe rescue treatment modality for failed MT with residual ICAS, by its high successful recanalization rate with tolerable patency, and low peri-procedural complication rate. Further multicenter and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.378-384
• /
• 2009

Objective : In order to establish the role of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) in large intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), we analyzed clinical characteristics, radiological features, and radiosurgical outcomes. Methods : Between March 1992 and March 2005, 28 of 33 patients with large AVMs (> $10\;cm^3$ in nidus-volume) who were treated with GKS underwent single session radiosurgery (RS), and the other 5 patients underwent staged volumetric RS. Retrospectively collected data were available in 23 cases. We analyzed treatment outcomes in each subdivided groups and according to the AVM sizes. We compared the estimated volume, defined as primarily estimated nidus volume using MR images, with real target volume after excluding draining veins and feeding arteries embedded into the nidus. Results : Regarding those patients who underwent single session RS, 44.4% (8/18) had complete obliteration; regarding staged volumetric RS, the obliteration rate was 40% (2/5). The complete obliteration rate was 60% (6/10) in the smaller nidus group ($10-15\;cm^3$ size), and 25% (2/8) in the larger nidus group (over $15\;cm^3$ size). One case of cerebral edema and two cases (8.7%) of hemorrhage were seen during the latent period. The mean real target volume for 18 single sessions of RS was $17.1\;cm^3$ ($10.1-38.4\;cm^3$), in contrast with the mean estimated volume of $20.9\;cm^3$ ($12.0-45.0\;cm^3$). Conclusion : The radiosurgical treatment outcomes of large AVMs are generally poor. However, we presume that the recent development in planning software and imaging devices aid more accurate measurement of the nidus volume, therefore improving the treatment outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.31-37
• /
• 2009

Objective : This study was performed to elucidate the technical and patient-specific risk factors for postoperative ischemia in patients undergoing temporary arterial occlusion (TAO) during the surgical repair of their aneurysms. Methods : Eighty-nine consecutive patients in whom TAO was performed during surgical repair of an aneurysm were retrospectively analyzed. The demographics of the patients were analyzed with respect to age. Hunt and Hess grade on admission, Fisher grade of hemorrhage, aneurysm characteristics, timing of surgery, duration of temporary occlusion, and number of temporary occlusive episodes. Outcome was analyzed at the 3-month follow-up, along with the occurrence of symptomatic and radiological stroke. Results : In overall, twenty-seven patients (29.3%) had radiologic ischemia attributable to TAO and fifteen patients (16.3%) had symptomatic ischemia attributable to TAO. Older age and poor clinical grade were associated with poor clinical outcome. There was a significantly higher rate of symptomatic ischemia in patients who underwent early surgery (p=0.007). The incidence of ischemia was significantly higher in patients with TAO longer than 10 minutes (p=0.01). In addition, patients who underwent repeated TAO, which allowed reperfusion, had a lower incidence of ischemia than those who underwent single TAO lasting for more than 10 minutes (p=0.011). Conclusion : Duration of occlusion is the only variable that needs to be considered when assessing the risk of postoperative ischemic complication in patients who undergo temporary vascular occlusion. Attention must be paid to the patient's age, grade of hemorrhage, and the timing of surgery. In addition, patients undergoing dissection when brief periods of temporary occlusion are performed may benefit more from intermittent reperfusion than continuous clip application. With careful planning, the use of TAO is a safe technique when used for periods of less than 10 minutes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.88-90
• /
• 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 Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.62 no.2
• /
• pp.193-200
• /
• 2019

Objective : Endovascular treatment (EVT) outcomes for acute M2 segment of middle cerebral artery occlusion remains unclear because most results are obtained from patients with large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation. The objective of this study was to assess procedural outcomes for acute M2 occlusion and compare outcomes according to thrombus location (M1 vs. M2). Methods : A systematic review was performed for online literature published from January 2004 to December 2016. Primary outcome was successful recanalization rate and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (S-ICH) after the procedure. A fixed effect model was used if heterogeneity was less than 50%. Results : Eight articles were included. EVT showed successful recanalization rate of 69.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54.9-80.4%) and S-ICH rate of 6.1% (95% CI, 4.5-8.3%). The rates of good clinical outcome at 3 months and mortality were 59.4% (95% CI, 49.9-68.2%) and 14.9% (95% CI, 11.4-19.3%), respectively. According to thrombus location (M1 vs. M2), successful recanalization (odds ratio [OR], 1.539; 95% CI, 0.293-8.092; p=0.610) and S-ICH (OR, 1.313; 95% CI, 0.603-2.861; p=0.493) did not differ significantly. Good clinical outcome was more evident in M2 occlusion after EVT than that in M1 occlusion (OR, 1.639; 95% CI, 1.135-2.368; p=0.008). However, mortality did not differ significantly according to thrombus location (OR, 0.788; 95% CI, 0.486-1.276; p=0.332). Conclusion : EVT seems to be technically feasible for acute M2 occlusion. Direct comparative studies between EVT and medical treatment are needed further to find specific beneficiary group after EVT in patient with M2 occlusion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.66 no.6
• /
• pp.672-680
• /
• 2023

Objective : We evaluated the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term results of patients with dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF), which is a very rare cause of posterior fossa hemorrhage. Methods : This study included 15 patients who underwent endovascular, surgical, combined, or Gamma Knife treatments between 2012 and 2020. Demographics and clinical features, angiographic features, treatment modalities, and outcomes were analyzed. Results : The mean age of the patients was 40±17 years (range, 17-68), and 68% were men (11/15). Seven of the patients (46.6%) were in the age group of 50 years and older. While the mean Glasgow coma scale was 11.5±3.9 (range, 4-15), 46.3% presented with headache and 53.7% had stupor/coma. Four patients (26.6%) had only cerebellar hematoma and headache. All dAVFs had cortical venous drainage. In 11 patients (73.3%), the fistula was located in the tentorium and was the most common localization. Three patients (20%) had transverse and sigmoid sinus localizations, while one patient (6.7%) had dAVF located in the foramen magnum. Eighteen sessions were performed on the patients during endovascular treatment. Sixteen sessions (88.8%) were performed with the transarterial (TA) route, one session (5.5%) with the transvenous (TV) route, and one session (5.5%) with the TA+TV route. Surgery was performed in two patients (14.2%). One patient (7.1%) passed away. While there were nine patients (64.2%) with a Rankin score between 0 and 2, the total closure rate was 69.2% in the first year of control angiograms. Conclusion : In the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa hemorrhages, the differential diagnosis of dAVFs, which is a very rare entity, should be considered, even in the middle and elderly age groups, in patients presenting with good clinical status and pure hematoma. The treatment of such patients can be done safely and effectively in a multidisciplinary manner with a good understanding of pathological vascular anatomy and appropriate endovascular treatment approaches.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.81 no.3
• /
• pp.665-675
• /
• 2020

Purpose This study aimed to identify independent predictors of favorable outcomes associated with emergent carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients with acute anterior circulation stroke. Materials and Methods This study included 93 patients with acute stroke who underwent emergent CAS to treat stenoocclusive lesions in the cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) within 6 hours of the onset of the associated symptoms. Data were compared between patients with and without favorable outcomes. The independent predictors of a favorable outcome were determined via logistic regression analysis (modified Rankin Scale 0-2 at 90 days). Results Intracranial tandem occlusion was noted in 81.7% of patients (76/93) among which (76/93), 55 of whom underwent intracranial recanalization therapy. Intracranial reperfusion was successful in 74.2% (69/93) and favorable outcomes were noted in 51.6% of patients (48/93). The mortality rate was 6.5% (6/93). In logistic regression analysis, diffusion-weighted imaging-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score [odds ratio (OR), 1.487; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.018-2.173, p = 0.04], successful reperfusion (OR, 5.199; 95% CI, 1.566-17.265, p = 0.007), and parenchymal hemorrhage (OR, 0.042; 95% CI, 0.003-0.522, p = 0.014) were independently associated with a favorable outcome. Conclusion Baseline infarct size, reperfusion status, and parenchymal hemorrhage were independent predictors of favorable outcomes after emergent CAS to treat stenoocclusive lesions in the cervical ICA in patients with acute anterior circulation stroke.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.174-183
• /
• 2022

Management of traumatic skull base fractures and associated complications pose a unique reconstructive challenge. The goals of skull base reconstruction include structural support for the brain and orbit, separation of the central nervous system from the aerodigestive tract, volume to decrease dead space, and restoration of the three-dimensional appearance of the face and cranium with bone and soft tissues. An open bicoronal approach is the most commonly used technique for craniofacial disassembly of the bifrontal region, with evacuation of intracranial hemorrhage and dural repair performed prior to reconstruction. Depending on the defect size and underlying patient and operative factors, reconstruction may involve bony reconstruction using autografts, allografts, or prosthetics in addition to soft tissue reconstruction using vascularized local or distant tissues. The vast majority of traumatic anterior cranial fossa (ACF) injuries resulting in smaller defects of the cranial base itself can be successfully reconstructed using local pedicled pericranial or galeal flaps. Compared with historical nonvascularized ACF reconstructive options, vascularized reconstruction using pericranial and/or galeal flaps has decreased the rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from 25 to 6.5%. We review the existing literature on this uncommon entity and present our case series of n = 6 patients undergoing traumatic reconstruction of the ACF at an urban Level 1 trauma center from 2016 to 2018. There were no postoperative CSF leaks, mucoceles, episodes of meningitis, or deaths during the study follow-up period. In conclusion, use of pericranial, galeal, and free flaps, as indicated, can provide reliable and durable reconstruction of a wide variety of injuries.