• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.197-200
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• 2021

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a disease caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection that can be diagnosed through clinical symptoms with or without imaging evaluations. The typical features of RHS on imaging evaluation include signal changes and enhancement in the internal auditory canal (IAC) nerves, and the labyrinthine segment of cranial nerve VII (CN VII) and cranial nerve VIII (CN VIII). In some patients, inner ear structure (cochlear and vestibular apparatus) is involved in RHS. Neurologic complications, such as encephalitis and meningitis, are rare in RHS, but are known to occur. Therefore, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is necessary to detect both abnormal signal intensity in the IAC, CN VII, CN VIII, inner and ear structure, and CNS complications. We report an RHS patient with CN VII, VIII, and leptomeningeal enhancement within the cerebellar folia on 10-min delayed, contrast-enhanced (CE), three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR) imaging.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2016

Objective : To illustrate the technique of single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures and to evaluate the radiographical and clinical outcomes of patients treated using this technique. Methods : 16 consecutive patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction. The mean patient age was 54.8 years. The mean follower up period was 25 months. Five patients suffered from T12 fractures, 10 from L1, 1 from L2. The segmental kyphosis, neurologic status, visual analogue scale for back pain was evaluated before surgery and at follow up. Results : The segmental kyphotic angle improved from 18.5 degrees before surgery to -9.2 degrees at the last follow up. The mean correction angle was 28.9 degrees. The mean surgical time was 255 minutes, and a mean intraoperative blood loss was 1073 mL. Intraoperative complications included two dural tears, and a superficial wound infection. There were no other severe complications. The mean visual analog scale of back pain decreased from a mean value of 6.6 to 2 at the last follow up. Conclusion : The single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction achieved satisfactory kyphosis correction with direct visualization of the circumferentially decompressed spinal cord, as well as good fusion with less blood loss and complications. It is a safe and reliable surgical treatment option for unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 1998

Neurilemoma usually discovered incidentally, is a benign nerve-sheath tumor which has been described as a painless mass. In most cases, the size of the mass was smaller than 5cm. However, it was reported that there were masses, sometimes associated with local tenderness and pain, whose size was over 6cm. Then, we have found there is a relationship between mass size and neurologic symptoms, as well as with, postoperative complications. It is important to diagnose early and to treat it. Twenty neurilemoma patients, who were treated at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center were analyzed using their clinical symptoms, pathologic findings, radiologic findings and complications. There was no sexual difference in tumor incidence. The anatomical locations of tumors were as follows. ; upper extremities in 15 cases(69%), axilla in 1 case(4%) and lower extremities in 6 cases(27%). Symptoms were palpable mass in 22 cases, local tenderness in 8 cases(36%), radiating pain in 6 cases(27%) and paresthesia in 6 cases(27%), Median nerve was involved most frequently(33%). There were 2 patients(10%) with multiple symptoms. Tumor enucleation was done in all cases. The size of tumors in longest axis was smaller than 2cm in 2 cases, between 2 and 4cm in 11 cases and more than 5cm in 9 cases. There was no case of malignant transformation or recurrence. In conclusion, incidence of clinical symptom and postoperative complications are increased with the size of the tumor especially over the 5cm. Preoperative MRI finding was the most accurate method of diagnosis and most helpful in determining surgical resection margin.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2016

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with selective shunting is the surgical method currently used to treat patients with carotid artery disease. We evaluated the incidence of major postoperative complications in patients who underwent CEA with selective shunting under transcranial Doppler (TCD) at our institution. Methods: The records of 45 patients who underwent CEA with TCD-based selective shunting under general anesthesia from November 2009 to June 2015 were reviewed. The risk factors for postoperative complications were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Preoperative atrial fibrillation was observed in three patients. Plaque ulceration was detected in 10 patients (22.2%) by preoperative computed tomography imaging. High-level stenosis was observed in 16 patients (35.5%), and 18 patients had contralateral stenosis. Twenty patients (44.4%) required shunt placement due to reduced TCD flow or a poor temporal window. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.2%. No cases of major stroke were observed in the 30 days after surgery, but four cases of minor stroke were noted. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative atrial fibrillation (odds ratio [OR], 40; p=0.018) and ex-smoker status (OR, 17.5; p=0.021) were statistically significant risk factors for a minor stroke in the 30-day postoperative period. Analogously, multivariate analysis also found that atrial fibrillation (p<0.001) and ex-smoker status (p=0.002) were significant risk factors for a minor stroke in the 30-day postoperative period. No variables were identified as risk factors for 30-day major stroke or death. No wound complications were found, although one (2.2%) of the patients suffered from a hypoglossal nerve injury. Conclusion: TCD-based CEA is a safe and reliable method to treat patients with carotid artery disease. Preoperative atrial fibrillation and ex-smoker status were found to increase the postoperative risk of a small embolism leading to a minor neurologic deficit.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.338-342
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• 2011

Background: The axillary artery is frequently used for cardiopulmonary bypass, especially in acute aortic dissection. We have cannulated the axillary artery using a side graft or by directly using Seldinger's technique. The purpose of this study was to assess the technical problems and complications of both cannulation techniques. Materials and Methods: From January 2003 to December 2009, 53 patients underwent operations using the axillary artery for arterial cannulation. The axillary artery was cannulated with a side graft in 35 patients (side graft group) and directly using Seldinger's technique in 18 patients (direct group). Results: The results were compared between two groups, focusing on cannulation-related morbidities including neurologic morbidity. Arterial damage or dissection of the axillary artery occurred in 1 (2.9%) patient in the side graft group and in 1 (5.6%) patient in the direct group. Malperfusion and insufficient flow did not occur in either group. There were no postoperative complications related to axillary cannulation, such as brachial plexus injury, compartment syndrome, or local wound infection, in either group. Conclusion: Technical problems and complications of the axillary arterial cannulation in both techniques were rare. Direct arterial cannulation using Seldinger's technique was done safely and more simply than the previous technique. It was concluded that both axillary arterial cannulation techniques are acceptable and it remains the surgeon's preference which technique should be used.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1112-1117
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• 2003

Purpose : Recent advances in the methods of treating cancer in young patients have led to both an increased frequency of CNS complications as well as prolonged life expectancy. We intend to analyze the clinical aspects and laboratory findings of patients with CNS complications during and after treatment. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 174 childhood cancer patients treated with chemotherapy admitted to the Dept. of Pediatrics, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, from January 1995 to November 2002. Among them, 15 cases with CNS complications were investigated in this study. Results : CNS abnormalities were found in 13 patients by CT or MRI during treatment such as leukoencephalopathy(n=7), mineralizing microangiopathy(n=4), brain infarction(n=3), intracranial hemorrhage(n=1), and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy(n=1). It was found that two patients had two or more CNS abnormalities. Two patients who had no imaging abnormalities had convulsions, possibly after the addition of intrathecal methotrexate. The patients with intracranial hemorrhage and brain infarction had rapid and fatal clinical courses. The hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy following electrolyte imbalance completely recovered after correction of electrolyte. Conclusion : The CNS complications that occur during and after chemotherapy influence prognoses significantly, and remain neurologic sequelae. Therefore early diagnosis and prophylaxis for CNS complications and regular physical examination of patients who have recieved cancer therapy are strongly recommended.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2018

Traumatic blunt aortic injury especially on proximal ascending aorta is a rare injury with a few reports. Generally emergency surgical management was performed. In this case, however, in multiple trauma with brain injury, emergency surgical management of aortic injury might result in unexpected secondary injury of the brain. Herein, we report a case of a 33-year-old man who was driving a truck was injured in a head-on collision. Evaluation revealed a pseudoaneurysm on his ascending aorta concomitant with epidural hemorrhage. He was treated by surgical management of his ascending aorta after 3 days from accident. There were no postoperative and neurologic complications and the patient was discharged after 18 days.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.876-880
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• 1995

The optimal surgical approach to the patients with coronary artery disease combined with carotid artery stenosis is controversial. We report two cases of successful surgical management of the patients with combined obstructive coronary and carotid artery disease. The first case was a 69-year-old female who had unstable angina pectoris and a past medical history of left carotid endarterectomy. She was revealed to have triple vessel coronary disease and nearly total occlusion of right internal carotid artery. She was undergone staged right carotid endarterectomy 10 days before coronary bypass surgery. The second case, a 54-year-old male with a past medical history of left hemiparesis and dysarthria, was admitted due to unstable angina pectoris. He was revealed to have triple-vessel coronary disease and more than 90% stenosis of left internal carotid artery and 50% stenosis of right internal carotid artery. In the latter case, a combined coronary bypass surgery and left carotid endarterectomy was done. In both cases, postoperative neurologic complications were not observed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.253-257
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• 1999

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, a variant presentation of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia is associated with high maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite several advantages to the use of epidural analgesia for the management of labor pain in preeclamptic parturients, this procedure is relatively contraindicated in the presence of severe thrombocytopenia. Determining the pain management of choice depends on the parturient's condition, fetal well-being, and the urgency of the situation. We report a safe case of epidural analgesia in a HELLP syndrome parturient with severe thrombocytopenia for labor pain management without any neurologic complications or epidural hematoma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.963-967
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• 2000

The aneurysm arising from the posterior cerebral artery is relatively uncommon, and has been reported in 0.7- 2.2% of whole cerebral aneurysm. Moreover, only a few cases of the giant aneurysm over 2.5cm in diameter arising from the distal portion of the posterior cerebral artery have been reported. Neurologic complications may occur after surgical treatment of this aneurysm due to difficult surgical approach and neurovascular complexity around the brain stem. Authors experienced a case of the thrombosed giant aneurysm with approximately 2.7cm in diameter arising from the P2 segment of the left posterior cerebral artery. Complete removal of the thrombus in the aneurysmal sac and direct neck clipping was performed via left subtemporal approach.