• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.427-428
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• 2018

Based on the piling reports of disruptions in the thalamus of patients with schizophrenia, the alteration in the thalamo-cortical system has been regarded as the core pathophysiology. As the thalamus is composed of distinctive nuclei with different cytoarchitecture and cortical connections, nuclei specific investigations have been actively conducted in post-mortem studies. In addition, the importance of early changes has been highlighted, which in turn has led to investigations of the thalamo-cortical system using non-invasive neuroimaging methods. From this perspective, the early structural changes in the thalamo-cortical system, such as the thalamo-cortical connection and nuclei specific microstructural changes (which are coherent with findings from post-mortem methods) will be briefly discussed. The main findings, which are the reduced thalamo-prefrontal connection and reduced microstructural complexity in the higher-order nuclei detected in first-episode psychosis patients, suggest the occurrence of early alterations within and between the communication hub of the brain and cortex. These findings suggest not only directions for further studies for unveiling the thalamo-cortical system related pathophysiology, but also the possibility of using the reduced microstructural complexity in the higher order nucleus as a biomarker for schizophrenia.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.399-403
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• 2011

Brain abscesses in neonates are extremely rare and usually occur in patients with certain risk factors. A 1-month-old boy presented at the hospital with fever and irritability. As a result of preterm delivery and low birth weight, he had a history of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Neuroimaging revealed a large, space-occupying lesion in both frontal lobes, which was suspected to be an abscess with the midline shifting to the right. With a single aspiration and abscess drainage along with concurrent prolonged parenteral antibiotic therapy, the patient showed an excellent treatment outcome with normal development. The focus will be placed on minimally invasive surgical management as well as positive outcomes.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.144-151
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• 2006

Objectives : Cognitive therapy is the most extensively researched psychological treatment for nonpsychotic unipolar outpatient depressive disorders. This review focused on the utility of this approach in severe or chronic depressive disorders, in relapse prevention and also on the potential benefits of combining cognitive therapy with medication. Methods : The author reviewed original studies and quantitative analyses on the effects of cognitive therapy, predictors of response, and neuroimaging studies of cognitive therapy in major depressive disorder. The sources used for the literature search were data bases : PubMed, EMBASE, CDSR on the internet, references in papers or books. Results : This review suggests that cognitive therapy is as effective as antidepressant medication in severe depressive disorders. And cognitive therapy can be an effective alternative to antidepressant medication. Patients benefited significantly more from combined cognitive therapy and antidepressant treatment than from either treatment alone. Most importantly, the addition of cognitive therapy to usual treatment appears to protect against future relapse in individuals known to be at high risk of repeated episodes of depression. In addition, subjects who received cognitive therapy showed significantly greater improvements in chronic depression than receiving antidepressant medication. Pooled data suggests that there is a significant relationship between the therapist's level of training or experience, the type of therapy used and patient outcome. Recent functional imaging studies examining brain changes following cognitive therapy report a variety of regional effects, but there is no consistent pattern across the few published studies. Conclusion : Cognitive therapy has proved beneficial in treating depressive patients. Despite empirical data supporting its efficacy, there are still problems in gaining access to cognitive therapy in clinical practice.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.329-333
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• 2011

Objective : As medical advances have increased life expectancy, it has become imperative to develop specific treatment strategies for intracranial aneurysms in the elderly. We therefore analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients older than 70 years. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and results of neuroimaging modalities on 54 aneurysms of 48 consecutive patients with un ruptured intracranial aneurysms. ($mean{\pm}SD$ age, $72.11{\pm}1.96$ years; range, 70-78 years) who underwent surgical clipping over 10 years (May 1999 to June 2010). Results : Of the 54 aneurysms, 22 were located in the internal carotid artery, 19 in the middle cerebral artery, 12 in the anterior cerebral artery, and 1 in the superior cerebellar artery. Six patients had multiple aneurysms. Aneurysm size ranged from 3 mm to 17 mm ($mean{\pm}SD$, $6.82{\pm}3.07$ mm). Fifty of the 54 aneurysms (92.6%) were completely clipped. Three-month outcomes were excellent in 50 (92.6%) aneurysms and good and poor in 2 each (3.7%), with 1 death (2.0%). Procedure-related complications occurred in 7 aneurysms (13.0%), with 2 (3.7%) resulting in permanent neurological deficits, including death. No postoperative subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred during follow-up. The cumulative rates of stroke- or death-free survival at 5 and 10 years were 100% and 78%, respectively. Conclusion : Surgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in elderly group could get it as a favorable outcome in well selected cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2001

Objectives : A substantial number of craniopharyngiomas recur despite gross total excision. The purpose of our study was to investigate pattern of recurrence and to verify prognostic factors for recurrence after gross total excision of craniopharyngiomas in children. Methods : A series of 36 patients with craniopharyngiomas were reviewed. All patients had undergone gross total excision and none of them received radiotherapy after initial surgery. Fifteen were girls and twenty-one were boys, with a mean age of 7.3 years(range, one to 15 years). The mean follow-up period was 52 months(range, one to 149 months). Recurrence was noted in 14 patients within 83 months(mean 31.4 months). Results : The overall three-year recurrence free survival rate was 65%, and the five-year recurrence-free survival rate was 55%. Regular neuroimaging follow-up at six to 12-month intervals detected tumor recurrence of a smaller size before symptoms developed(p<0.05). At the first surgical procedure, the optic nerve/chiasm(n=23) was the most common adhesion site. The most frequent sites of recurrence were the optic nerve/chiasm(n=6) and the pitiutary fossa(n=6). Tumor location was the single significant clinical predictor of recurrence. The five-year recurrence-free survival rate was 39% for those who had an intrasellar tumor component and 81% for those who did not (p<0.05). Conclusion : Craniopharyngiomas with intrasellar components should be followed cautiously and regular followup of patients should be emphasized, even when the tumors are totally resected.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2005

Objective: The goal of this study is to provide the clinical data of patients with brainstem cavernous hemangiomas after treatment with microsurgery or radiosurgery after conducting a retrospective analysis of 21 patients at one institution. Methods: Twenty one patients with brainstem cavernous hemangiomas were treated at the authors' institution between 1995 and 2004 and clinical analysis was performed by retrospective review of medical records and neuroimaging examinations. Thirteen patients underwent microsurgical resection and radiosurgery was performed as an initial treatment in 9 patients. Results: Radical excision was achieved in 12 among 13 patients and transitory neurological deterioration or new neurological deficit developed during the immediate postoperative period in 7 (54%). The final outcomes at 5 - 70 months after surgery were improved in 11 patients (85%) and worsened in 2 patients (15%) compared with the preoperative state. Radiosurgery was performed in 9 patients. During the follow up period from 5 to 70 months there was neurological improvement in 3 patients, no significant change in 3 and deterioration in 3 patients. Two patients developed rebleeding at 5 months, 60 months respectively after radiosurgery. Conclusion: Microsurgery for symptomatic cavernous hemangioma of brainstem can be performed with acceptable morbidity. Fatal complication is rare with careful selection of the optimal operative approach in well selected patients. Radiosurgery is an effective alternative for the lesions which are not accessible by surgical approach, however, there is still a possibility of rebleeding over a long period after radiosurgical treatment and microsurgery should be considered as a treatment with priority for the majority of cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.918-922
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• 2000

Objective : The authors analyzed the results of management outcomes for basilar bifurcation aneurysms treated with transcranial surgery and endovascular surgery. Methods : At the authors' institution between May 1989 and December 1998, 47 aneurysms with 45 patients were treated with transcranial surgery including surgical clipping/wrapping and endovascular surgery for basilar bifurcation aneurysms. The medical records and neuroimaging studies of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Of the 45 patients, 87 percent of the aneurysms were ruptured and 13% unruptured. Forty six percent of the patients had multiple aneurysms including basilar bifurcation aneurysm. Of the 39 patients with subarachnoid hemorrahge, 77% were in good neurological status(Hunt Hess grade I-III), 23% were in poor grade(H-H grade IV-V). Thirty two patients were treated with transcranial surgery and 15 patients were treated with endovascular surgery. Two patients who had treated with wrapping surgery later bled during follow-up period and treated with endovascular surgery. The management outcome of the transcranial surgery was : Glasgow outcome scale(GOS) I 66%, GOS II 12.5%, GOS III 6.3%, GOS IV 6.3% and GOS V(death) 9.4%. The major causes of morbidity related to transcranial surgery were perforator occlusion, vasospasm and retraction injury. The management outcome of the endovascular surgery was : GOS I 66.7%, GOS II 6.7%, and GOS V 26.7%. The major causes of mortality related to endovascular surgery were related to intraoperative aneurysmal bleeding. Conclusion : This report documents that more than 75% of patients undergoing treatment either transcranial or endovascular surgery can expect good clinical outcomes. Treatment modality in management of basilar bifurcation aneurysm must be carefully selected based on various considering factors.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.492-496
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• 2011

Objective : Direct revascularization surgery is regarded as the most effective method of treatment of adults with moyamoya disease. These patients, however, have a higher risk of perioperative ischemic complications than do patients with atherosclerotic stroke, and are at risk for ischemic complications in the hemisphere contralateral to the one operated on. We investigated the incidence and risk factors for ischemic stroke in the contralateral hemisphere after surgical treatment of adults with moyamoya disease. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and results of neuroimaging studies on 79 hemispheres of 73 consecutive patients with adult moyamoya disease ($mean{\pm}SD$ age, $37.96{\pm}11.27$ years; range, 18-62 years) who underwent direct bypass surgery over 6 years. Results : Ischemic complications occurred in 4 of 79 (5.1%) contralateral hemispheres, one with Suzuki stage 3 and three with Suzuki stage 4. Three patients showed posterior cerebral artery (PCA) involvement by moyamoya vessels. Advanced stage of moyamoya disease (Suzuki stages 4/5/6; $p$=0.001), PCA involvement ($p$=0.001) and postoperative hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure <80% of preoperative mean arterial blood pressure) on the first ($p$<0.0001) and second ($p$=0.003) days after surgery were significantly correlated with postoperative contralateral ischemic complications. Conclusion : In patients with advanced moyamoya disease and involvement of the PCA, intentional hypotension can result in ischemic stroke in the hemisphere contralateral to the one operated on. Careful control of perioperative blood pressure is crucial for good surgical results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2014

Objective : Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory rheumatic disease mainly affecting the axial skeleton. The rigid spine may secondarily develop osteoporosis, further increasing the risk of spinal fracture. In this study, we reviewed fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis that had been clinically diagnosed to better define the mechanism of injury, associated neurological deficit, predisposing factors, and management strategies. Methods : Between January 2003 and December 2013, 12 patients with 13 fractures with neurological complications were treated. Neuroimaging evaluation was obtained in all patients by using plain radiography, CT scan, and MR imaging. The ASIA Impairment Scale was used in order to evaluate the neurologic status of the patients. Management was based on the presence or absence of spinal instability. Results : A total of 9 cervical and 4 thoracolumbar fractures were identified in a review of patients in whom ankylosing spondylitis had been diagnosed. Of these, 7 fractures were associated with a hyperextension mechanism. 10 cases resulted in a fracture by minor trauma. Posttraumatic neurological deficits were demonstrated in 11 cases and neurological improvement after surgery was observed in 5 of these cases. Conclusions : Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are highly susceptible to spinal fracture and spinal cord injury even after only mild trauma. Initial CT or MR imaging of the whole spine is recommended even if the patient's symptoms are mild. The patient should also have early surgical stabilization to correct spinal deformity and avoid worsening of the patient's neurological status.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2018

Objective : Rehemorrhage is the most severe complication of postoperative patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The aim of the present study was to assess independent predictors of rehemorrhage and find the possibility of preventing rehemorrhage in postoperative patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Methods : Medical records of 263 postoperative patients with sICH from our Hospital were reviewed. The relationships between rehemorrhage and parameters were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. The parameters include time from onset to surgery, hematologic paremeters, neuroimaging characteristics, level and variability of systolic blood pressure, medical histories, operation duration, and blood loss. In addition, relationship between rehemorrhage and clinical outcome were analyzed by using multivariate analyses. Results : Thirty-five (13.31%) patients experienced rehemorrhage after operation. Multivariate analyses indicated that the following factors were independently associated with rehemorrhage : history of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 2.717; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.005-7.346; p=0.049), and midline shift (for every 1 mm increase, OR, 1.117; 95% CI, 1.029-1.214; p=0.009). Rehemorrhage was an independent risk factor of poor functional outcome (OR, 3.334; 95% CI, 1.094-10.155; p=0.034). Conclusion : Our finding revealed that history of diabetes mellitus and admission midline shift were possibly associated with rehemorrhage in postoperative patients with sICH.