• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.435-441
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• 2005

Objective : Expandable cage used for spinal reconstruction after corpectomy has several advantages over nonexpendable cages. Here we present our clinical experience with the use of this cage after anterior column corpectomy with an average of one year follow up. Methods : Ten patients underwent expandable cage reconstruction of the anterior column after single-level or multilevel corpectomy for various cervical spinal disorders. Anterior plating with or without additional posterior instrumentation were performed in all patients. Functional outcomes, complications, and radiographic outcomes were determined. Results : There was no cage-related complication. Functionally, neurological examination revealed improvement in 7 of 10 patients and no patient had neurological deterioration after the surgery. Immediate stability was achieved and maintained throughout the period of follow-up. There was minimal subsidence [<2mm] noticeable in three of the cases that underwent a two-level corpectomy. Subsidence was noted in osteoporotic patients and patients undergoing multi-level corpectomies. Average pre-operative kyphotic angle was 9 degrees. This was corrected to an average of 5.4 degrees in lordosis postoperatively. Conclusion : In conclusion, expandable cages are safe and effective devices for vertebral body replacement after cervical corpectomy when used in combination with anterior plating with or without additional posterior stabilization. The advantages of using expandable cages include its ability to easily accommodate itself into the corpectomy defect, its ability to tightly purchase into the end plates after expansion and thus minimizing the potential for migration, and finally, its ability to correct kyphosis deformity via its in vivo expansion properties.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권4호
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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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• 제62권1호
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• pp.61-70
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• 2019

Objective : Corpectomy of the first lumbar vertebra (L1) for the management of different L1 pathologies can be performed using either an anterior or posterior approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a retroperitoneal extrapleural approach through the twelfth rib for performing L1 corpectomy. Methods : Thirty consecutive patients underwent L1 corpectomy between 2010 and 2016. The retroperitoneal extrapleural approach through the 12th rib was used in all cases to perform single-stage anterior L1 corpectomy, reconstruction and anterior instrumentation, except for in two recurrent cases in which posterior fixation was added. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain intensity measurement and ASIA impairment scale for neurological assessment. The mean follow-up period was 14.5 months. Results : The sample included 18 males and 12 females, and the mean age was 40.3 years. Twenty patients (67%) had sensory or motor deficits before the surgery. The pathologies encountered included traumatic fracture in 12 cases, osteoporotic fracture in four cases, tumor in eight cases and spinal infection in the remaining six cases. The surgeries were performed from the left side, except in two cases. There was significant improvement of back pain and radicular pain as recorded by VAS. One patient exhibited postoperative neurological deterioration due to bone graft dislodgement. All patients with deficits at least partially improved after the surgery. During the follow-up, no hardware failures or losses of correction were detected. Conclusion : The retroperitoneal extrapleural approach through the 12th rib is a feasible approach for L1 corpectomy that can combine adequate decompression of the dural sac with effective biomechanical restoration of the compromised anterior loadbearing column. It is associated with less pulmonary complication, no need for chest tube, no abdominal distention and rapid recovery compared with other approaches.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제66권6호
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• pp.735-742
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• 2023

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is associated with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), which is a rare cerebrovascular disorder in children. Systemic anticoagulation with heparin is the standard therapy for CVST, and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has been described as a salvage treatment for adult anticoagulant refractory CVST, However, it has never been reported in children. We describe a case of MT for refractory CVST in a child with NS. A 13-year-old boy with newly diagnosed NS presented to an emergency department with acute headache. A head computed tomography showed acute thrombus in the superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus and transverse sinus. The child was started on heparin therapy, but clinically deteriorated and became unresponsive. In view of the rapid deterioration of the condition after anticoagulation treatment, the patient received intravascular treatment. Several endovascular technologies, such as stent retriever and large bore suction catheter have been adopted. After endovascular treatment, the patient's neurological condition was improved within 24 hours, and magnetic resonance venography of the head demonstrated that the CVST was reduced. The child recovered with normal neurological function at discharge. This case highlights the importance of considering MT for refractory CVST, and we suggest that MT may be considered for refractory CVST with NS in children.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.149-157
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• 2015

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of pediatric trauma patients came to the emergency department. Without guidelines, many of these children underwent repeat brain computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of repeat brain CT in children with TBI. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of TBI in children younger than 19 years of age who visited the emergency department (ED) from January 2011 to December 2012. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale score of the patients, study population divided in three groups. Clinical data collected included age, mechanism of injury, type of TBI, and outcome. Results: A Total 83 children with TBI received repeat brain CT. There were no need for neurosurgical intervention in mild TBI (GCS score 13-15) group who underwent routine repeat CT. 4 patients of mild TBI group, received repeat brain CT due to neurological deterioration, and one patient underwent neurosurgical intervention. Routine repeat CT identified 12 patients with radiographic progression. One patient underwent neurosurgical intervention based on the second brain CT finding, who belonged to the moderate TBI (GCS score 9-12) group. Conclusion: Our study showed that children with mild TBI can be observed without repeat brain CT when there is no evidence of neurologic deterioration. Further study is needed for establish indication for repetition of CT scan in order to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure of children.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제63권3호
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• pp.346-357
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• 2020

During the follow-up period after surgery for spinal dysraphism, a certain portion of patients show neurological deterioration and its secondary phenomena, such as motor, sensory or sphincter changes, foot and spinal deformities, pain, and spasticity. These clinical manifestations are caused by tethering effects on the neural structures at the site of previous operation. The widespread recognition of retethering drew the attention of medical professionals of various specialties because of its incidence, which is not low when surveillance is adequate, and its progressive nature. This article reviews the literature on the incidence and timing of deterioration, predisposing factors for retethering, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, surgical treatment and its complications, clinical outcomes, prognostic factors after retethering surgery and preventive measures of retethering. Current practice and opinions of Seoul National University Children's Hospital team were added in some parts. The literature shows a wide range of data regarding the incidence, rate and degree of surgical complications and long-term outcomes. The method of prevention is still one of the main topics of this entity. Although alternatives such as spinal column shortening were introduced, re-untethering by conventional surgical methods remains the current main management tool. Re-untethering surgery is a much more difficult task than primary untethering surgery. Updated publications include strong skepticism on re-untethering surgery in a certain group of patients, though it is from a minority of research groups. For all of the abovementioned reasons, new information and ideas on the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of retethering are critically necessary in this era.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.326-330
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• 2007

Objective : Stroke is the most prevalent disease involving the central nervous system. Since medical modalities are sometimes ineffective for the acute edema following massive infarction, surgical decompression may be an effective option when medical treatments fail. The present study was undertaken to assess the outcome and prognostic factors of decompressive surgery in life threatening acute, severe, brain infarction. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed twenty-six patients (17 males and 9 females; average age, 49.7yrs) who underwent decompressive surgery for severe cerebral or cerebellar infarction from January 2003 to December 2006. Surgical indication was based on the clinical signs such as neurological deterioration, pupillary reflex, and radiological findings. Clinical outcome was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results : Of the 26 patients, 5 (19.2%) showed good recovery, 5 (19.2%) showed moderate disability, 2 (7.7%) severe disability, 6 (23.1%) persistent experienced vegetative state, and 8 (30.8%) death. In this study, the surgical decompression improved outcome for cerebellar infarction, but decompressive surgery did not show a good result for MCA infarction (30.8% overall mortality vs 100% mortality). The dominant-hemisphere infarcts showed worse prognosis, compared with nondominant-hemisphere infarcts (54.5% vs 70%). Poor prognostic factors were diabetes mellitus, dominant-hemisphere infarcts and low preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. Conclusion : The patients who exhibit clinical deterioration despite aggressive medical management following severe cerebral infarction should be considered for decompressive surgery. For better outcome, prompt surgical treatment is mandatory. We recommend that patients with severe cerebral infarction should be referred to neurosurgical department primarily in emergency setting or as early as possible for such prompt surgical treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제58권2호
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• pp.125-130
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• 2015

Objective : Repeated computed tomography (CT) follow up for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients is often performed. But there is debate the indication for repeated CT scans, especially in pediatric patients. Purpose of our study is to find risk factors of progression on repeated CT and delayed surgical intervention based on the repeated head CT. Methods : Between March, 2007 and December, 2013, 269 pediatric patients (age 0-18 years) had admitted to our hospital for head trauma. Patients were classified into 8 subgroups according to mechanisms of injury. Types, amount of hemorrhage and amount changes on repeated CT were analyzed as well as initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores. Results : Within our cohort of 269 patients, 174 patients received repeat CT. There were progression in the amount of hemorrhage in 48 (27.6%) patients. Among various hemorrhage types, epidural hemorrhage (EDH) more than 10 cc measured in initial CT was found to be at risk of delayed surgical intervention significantly after routine repeated CT with or without neurological deterioration than other types of hemorrhage. Based on initial GCS, severe head trauma group (GCS 3-8) was at risk of delayed surgical intervention after routine repeated CT without change of clinical neurologic status. Conclusion : We suggest that the patients with EDH more than 10 cc or GCS below 9 should receive repeated head CT even though absence of significant clinical deterioration.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.279-283
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• 2005

After initial recovery from acute carbon monoxide(CO) intoxication, some patients occasionally undergo severe neuropsychiatric deterioration, which is called postanomic delayed encephalopathy(sequelae). This is the clinical study about one patient, a 53-year-old woman, diagnosed with delayed encephalopathy after acute CO intoxication. The patient's symptoms were mental dysfunction including memory impairment and disorientation, aphasia, atrophy and weakness throughtout the body. She had completely recovered after an anomic episode, but the neurological symptoms that developed were preceded by an interval of apparent nomality.(the 'lucid interval'). She was characterized as suffering deficiency syndrome of the heart(心虛) and was prescribed for her an Ansinschungnoi-tang(安神淸腦湯), and thereafter her symptoms improved remarkably. For the evaluation of clinical improvement, we use the Modified Barthel Index(MBI).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제40권6호
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• pp.450-454
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• 2006

The incidence of vertebral artery injury during the anterior approach to the cervical spine is rare, but potentially lethal. The authors describe two cases of vertebral artery injury during anterior cervical decompression surgery. In the first case, infection was the cause of the vertebral artery injury. During aggressive irrigation and pus drainage, massive bleeding was encountered, and intraoperative direct packing with hemostatic agents provided effective control of hemorrhage. Ten days after surgery, sudden neck swelling and mental deterioration occurred because of rebleeding from a pseudoaneurysm. In the second case, the vertebral artery was injured during decompression of cervical spondylosis while drilling the neural foramen. After intraoperative control of bleeding, the patient was referred to our hospital, and a pseudoaneurysm was detected by angiography four days after surgery. Both pseudoaneurysms were successfully occluded by an endovascular technique without any neurological sequelae. Urgent vertebral angiography, following intraoperative control of bleeding by hemostatic compression in cases of vertebral artery injury during anterior cervical decompression, should be performed to avoid life-threatening complications. Prompt recognition of pseudoaneurysm is mandatory, and endovascular treatment can be life saving.