• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.261-263
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• 2007

Subdural hygromas are easily treated by trephination and drainage. Therefore, most neurosurgeons do not consider subdural hygromas seriously. However, various complications including intracerebral hemorrhage may develop after rapid drainage of subdural hygroma although rare. Postoperative intracerebral hemorrhage presents with a rapid deterioration of consciousness and focal neurological deficits occurring immediately after drainage of the subdural hygroma. The authors present an unfortunate massive intracerebral hemorrhage and pneumocephalus following drainage of the bifrontal subdural hygroma. The patient subsequently died. To prevent this disastrous complication, close neurosurgical observation and gradual drainage under a closed system seem mandatory. Possible pathogenic mechanisms for this unfavorable complication is discussed with a review of pertinent literatures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.375-378
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• 2014

Hydranencephaly is a rare congenital disease defined as an absence of cerebral hemispheres with an intact thalamus, brain stem, and cerebellum. Generally, patients with hydranencephaly require cerebro-spinal fluid diversion due to progressive hydrocephalus. An excellent view of the choroid plexus and advancement of the neurosurgical endoscope were possible, leading to easy coagulation of the choroid plexus to balance cerebro-spinal fluid production without the use of a shunt device. We present this rare case and good treatment outcome from endoscopic coagulation of the choroid plexus.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1443-1448
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• 2001

The authors report a case of thoracic outlet syndrome in left side. Thoracic outlet syndrome is a collective term in which symptoms and signs are due to bony and soft tissue compression of the neurovascular bundle at the thoracic outlet. It is a rare case in neurosurgical field. So we had experienced one case of thoracic outlet syndrome which was improved by transaxillary approach for resection of first rib. The clinical features, diagnostic test, radiological findings, and operative technique are presented with review of literatures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.360-362
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• 2010

A sphenoid mucocele often presents late due to its deep seated anatomical site. And it has varied presentation due to its loose relationship to the cavernous sinus and the base of the skull. We describe a case of large sphenoid sinus mucocele. A middle aged old man suddenly developed third cranial nerve palsy. Brain imaging study revealed an isolated sphenoid sinus mucocele, compressing right cavernous sinus. Endoscopic marsupialization of the mucocele via transnasal approach led to complete resolution of the third cranial nerve palsy. Involvement of the third cranial nerve in isolated mucocele is rare but important neurosurgical implications which must be excluded. In addition, proper and timely treatment must be performed to avoid permanent neurologic deficit.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1140-1143
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• 2001

The mortality of patients with brain abscess has decreased significaltly. This has been attributed to improved diagnostic imaging, the evolution of neurosurgical techniques and understanding of intracranial pressure pathophysiology, greater critical care understanding, and newer antibiotics. However, the mortality associated with intraventricular rupture of brain abscess remained consistently high at or above 80% once identified. A case of intraventicular rupture of thalamic abscess with good quality of survival is presented based on aggressive 4-component therapeutic plan used. The four components are 1) extraventricular drainage for 6 weeks, 2) lavage of the ventricular system using closed irrigation system, 3) intravenous antibiotics, 4) intraventricular gentamicin and vancomycin, twice and once daily, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.615-621
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• 2022

Various treatments for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) are known to yield initial satisfactory results; however, the surgical treatment has excellent long-term outcomes and a low recurrence rate. Surgical treatment addresses the challenge of vascular compression, which accounts for 85% of the causes of TN. As for surgical treatment for TN, microvascular decompression (MVD) has become the surgical treatment of choice after Peter J. Jannetta reported the results of MVD surgery in 1996. Since then, many studies have reported a success rate of over 90% for the initial surgical treatment. Most MVDs aim to separate (decompress) the culprit vessel from the trigeminal nerve. To increase the success rate of surgery, accurate indications for MVD and management of the offender vessels without complications are critical. In addition, if there is no vascular compression, partial sensory rhizotomy or internal neurolysis can be performed to improve surgical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.62-65
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• 2012

Despite the remarkable developments in neurosurgical and neuro-interventional procedures, the optimal treatment for large or giant partially thrombosed aneurysms with a mass effect remains controversial. The authors report a case of a partially thrombosed aneurysm with a mass effect, which was successfully treated by stent-assisted coil embolization. A 41-year-old man presented with headache. Brain computed tomography depicted an $18{\times}18$ mm sized thrombosed aneurysm in the interpeducular cistern. More than 80% of the aneurysm volume was filled with thrombus and the canalized portion beyond its neck measured $6.8{\times}5.6$ mm by diagnostic cerebral angiography. Stent-assisted endovascular coiling was performed on the canalized sac and the aneurysm was completely obliterated. Furthermore, most of the thrombosed aneurysm disappeared in the interpeduncular cistern was clearly visualized follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging conducted at 21 months. The authors report a case of selective coiling of a large, partially thrombosed basilar tip aneurysm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.261-268
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• 2013

The Department of Neurosurgery (DNS) of the Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), belongs to the largest and oldest such institutions in Korea. Because of its growing reputation it is hardly surprising that the DNS draws visitor and scholars for clinical education and academic exchange from far beyond Korea. I myself visited the SNUH in February and March 2013. During this time I composed this evaluation in which I compare the DNS to my home Department at the Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz/Germany, as well as the situation of Neurosurgery in Korea and Germany in general. In the first part this evaluation summarizes data concerning equipment, staff and organizational structure, as well as educational and scientific issues of the DNS. In the second part some issues of interest are discussed in special regard to the corresponding practices in Germany.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.500-503
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• 2014

If a ruptured blood blister-like aneurysm (BBA) arises from the lateral or superolateral wall of the internal carotid artery (ICA) at the level of the anterior choroidal artery (AChA), its proximity to the origin of the AChA presents a serious surgical challenge to preserve the patency of the AChA. Two such rare cases are presented, along with successful surgical techniques, including the application of a C-shaped aneurysm clip parallel to the ICA and a microsuture technique to repair the arterial defect. The patency of the AChA and ICA was successfully preserved without recurrence or rebleeding of the BBA during a 1-year follow-up after the operation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.355-362
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• 2007

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is characterized by tonic clonic contractions of the muscles innervated by the ipsilateral facial nerve. Compression of the facial nerve by an ectatic vessel is widely recognized as the most common underlying etiology. HFS needs to be differentiated from other causes of facial spasms, such as facial tic, ocular myokymia, and blepharospasm. To understand the overall craniofacial abnormalities and to perform the optimal surgical procedures for HFS, we are to review the prevalence, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, details of each treatment modality, usefulness of brainstem auditory evoked potentials monitoring, debates on the facial EMG, clinical course, and complications from the literature published from 1995 to the present time.