• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.463-471
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• 2001

Objective : The authors reviewed 51 patients of spinal cord tumor located at the craniovertebral junction and high cervical area to determine which factors influenced resectability, complications, and postoperative outcomes. Methods : Radiological examinations, clinical data, and operation notes were evaluated, and additional follow-up information was obtained from outpatient examinations. The mean follow-up period was 3.5 years Results : The most common neurological findings were motor deficit(72.5%) and sensory change(47.1%). There was no clinical finding that is considered as pathognomic. Meningioma(18 cases, 35.3%) was the most common tumor in this region. Total removal was achieved in 45 patients. There was no surgical mortality. Immediate postoperative motor weakness were encounted in 11 cases(21.6%) which improved in long term followup except two patients. Conclusions : The location and relationship of the tumor to surrounding struncture determine its resectability. Postoperative results were related to the preoperative neurological status and pathological findings.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.945-948
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• 2000

A sixty-three year old woman presented with sudden onset of dystonic twitching of the extremities and repeatedly downgrading of consciousness in the midnight. She had no history of medical illness in the past but had been suffered from fatigue recently before the onset of the attack. At admission she was neurologically free including neuro-ophthalmologic examination. MRI showed a high signal T1WI mass in the sella protruding into the suprasellar cistern. Hormonal study revealed low value of T3, T4, LH and FSH. Under the impression of pituitary apoplexy she underwent operation via transcranial route. When the protruding diaphragma sellae was opened, milkish pus spilled out. The thick capsule was biopsied and pus was sent for the study. The results of Gram staining and culture were both negative but pathologic report of the specimen was high infiltration of lymphocytes with few polymorphs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.261-264
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• 2000

We report a case of anterior spinal epidural hematoma, after removal of cervical meningioma by posterior approach, which occurred in a 61-year-old man who presented with left hemiparesis and hypalgesia. A cervical mass surgically confirmed as meningioma was removed by posterior approach. 3 hours after operation, the patient revealed quadriparesis with respiratory difficulty. We herewith report a rare case of anterior spinal epidural hematoma which caused a catastrophic aggrevation of postoperative course.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.255-260
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• 2000

The authors report a posttraumatic syringomyelia in a 30-year-old man who has complained pain, weakness of upper arm and dissociation sensory loss since 2 months before. He was underwent by decompressive laminectomy from T12 to L1, reduction of encroached bony fragments, transpedicular screw fixation from T12 to L2 and posterolateral bony fusion due to burst fracture of L1 at other hospital 3 years ago. Preoperative spinal MRI was highly suggestive of wide-spread, multiseptated syringomyelia from C3 to thoracolumbar junction. We performed wide decompressive laminectomy from T10 to L2 and subarachnoid space reconstrucion composed of microdissection of meningeal fibrosis widely, iatrogenic meningocele formation with lefting the dura mater opened for treatment of spinal-spinal pressure dissociation. Clinical manifestations and radiological findings of the patient were improved after the operation. This technique was thought to be superior to shunting procedures in cases of wide-spread, multiseptated post-traumatic syringomyelia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.160-163
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• 2012

We report an unusual case of lateral medullary infarction after successful embolization of the vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA). A 49-year-old man who had no noteworthy previous medical history was admitted to our hospital with a severe headache. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage, located in the basal cistern and posterior fossa. Cerebral angiography showed a VADA, that did not involve the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). We treated this aneurysm via endovascular trapping of the vertebral artery distal to the PICA. After operation, CT revealed post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, which we resolved with a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedure. Postoperatively, the patient experienced transient mild hoarsness and dysphagia. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed a small infarction in the right side of the medulla. The patient recovered well, though he still had some residual symptom of dysphagia at discharge. Such an event is uncommon but can be a major clinical concern. Further investigation to reveal risk factors and/or causative mechanisms for the medullary infarction after successful endovascular trapping of the VADA are sorely needed, to minimize such a complication.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.177-181
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• 2012

We present a case of an athetoid cerebral palsy with quadriparesis caused by kyphotic deformity of the cervical spine, severe spinal stenosis at the cervicomedullary junction, and atlantoaxial instability. The patient improved after the first surgery, which included a C1 total laminectomy and C-arm guided righ side unilateral C1-2 transarticular screw fixation. C1-2 fixation was not performed on the other side because of an aberrant and dominant vertebral artery (VA). Eight months after the first operation, the patient required revision surgery for persistent neck pain and screw malposition. We used intraoperative VA angiography with simultaneous fluoroscopy for precise image guidance during bilateral C1-2 transarticular screw fixation. Intraoperative VA angiography allowed the accurate insertion of screws, and can therefore be used to avoid VA injury during C1-2 transarticular screw fixation in comorbid patients with atlantoaxial deformities.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.520-522
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• 2011

Injury to the vertebral artery during anterior cervical discectomy is rare but potentially fatal. We report a case of cerebellar infarction after endovascular embolization for iatrogenic vertebral artery injury at C5-C6 during an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. A 61-year-old man had an intraoperative injury of the right vertebral artery that occurred during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C5-C6. Hemorrhage was not controlled successfully by packing with surgical hemostatic agents. While the patient was still intubated, an emergency angiogram was performed. The patient underwent endovascular occlusion of the right V2 segment with coils. After the procedure, his course was uneventful and he did not show any neurologic deficits. Brain computed tomographic scans taken 3 days after the operation revealed a right cerebellar infarction. Anti-coagulation medication was administered, and at 3-month follow-up examination, he had no neurologic sequelae in spite of the cerebellar infarction.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.98-100
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• 2008

We report a very rare case of a rapidly calcified chronic epidural hematoma (EDH) in a neonate. A 26-day-old female infant was referred to us from a regional hospital because of drowsy mentality and a seizure attack. She was delivered through caesarian section because normal spontaneous vaginal delivery was prolonged and failed. At birth, mild scalp swelling was found on the right frontal area. Scalp swelling was spontaneously resolved and she was discharged without any problems. On the 25th day after her birth, the baby presented with drowsiness and hypotonia following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a chronic EDH that had a thick layer of calcification. A small burr-hole trephination was performed and a single silastic drainage catheter was inserted. After the operation, a total of 12 ml of liquefied hematoma was drained, and the patient's mentality improved from drowsiness to alertness. The patient was asymptomatic when discharged.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.228-234
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• 2013

Objective : We have limited understanding on the presentation and survival of primary spinal sarcomas. The survival, recurrence rate, and related prognostic factors were investigated after treatment for primary sarcomas of the spine. Methods : Retrospective analysis of medical records and radiological data was done for 29 patients in whom treatment was performed due to primary sarcoma of the spine from 2000 to 2010. As for treatment method, non-radical operation, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy were simultaneously or sequentially combined. Overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), ambulatory function, and pain status were analyzed. In addition, factors affecting survival and recurrence were analyzed : age (${\leq}42$ or ${\geq}43$), gender, tumor histologic type, lesion location (mobile spine or rigid spine), weakness at diagnosis, pain at diagnosis, ambulation at diagnosis, initial treatment, radiation therapy, kind of irradiation, surgery, chemotherapy and distant metastasis. Results : Median OS was 60 months, the recurrence rate was 79.3% and median PFS was 26 months. Patients with distant metastasis showed significantly shorter survival than those without metastasis. No factors were found to be significant relating to recurrence. Prognostic factor associated with walking ability was the presence of weakness at diagnosis. Conclusion : Primary spinal sarcomas are difficult to cure and show high recurrence rate. However, the development of new treatment methods is improving survival.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.234-238
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• 2006

Objective : The operative indications on cerebellar hemorrhage have been controversial especially when the patient condition is grave. Therefore we investigated whether it can be justifiable if we perform the surgery in poor clinical grade. Methods : Clinical records and computerized tomography[CT] films of the 89 patients, who were undergone hospital treatment due to spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage between May 1997 and May 2004, were retrospectively researched. Results : The study population consisted of 36 males and 53 female patients. The mean age was 65years [range $23{\sim}89$]. As a result of treatment, the patients, whose Glasgow coma scale[GCS] score were higher, showed better outcomes [p=0.001]. 13 patients [14.6%] were below 5 in GCS score and 10 patients of these were operated. Among 10 patients, 4 patients [40%] showed good outcome and 5 patients [50%] had been dead. 3 patients [60%] of these dead patients had the findings of intraventricular hemorrhage, fourth ventricular obliteration and hydrocephalus in CT scan. Conclusion : This study suggests that operation may be justifiable in clinically poor grade patient with spontaneous intra cerebellar hemorrhage.