• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.159-164
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• 2001

Reduction cranioplasty is one of the treatment modality among many treatment options for macrocephaly with hydrocephalus. The most previous techniques of reduction cranioplasty have some disadvantages such as difficult airway maintenance, pressure sore due to modified prone position, severe venous infarct due to obstruction of venous blood flow and large amount of bleeding from the dissection of superior sagittal sinus to obtain bone fragment needed. A 28-month-old girl had extreme macrocephaly. She couldn't control head rotation and keep sitting position. The operation was performed at supine position with adequate exposure of entire calvarium and the hinge was made in occipital bone fragment that covered posterior part of superior sagittal sinus. Bleeding volume and the other complications were decreased and acceptable reduction was achieved with this method.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.149-152
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• 2001

The authors report a case of an extremely rare extraosseous chordoma in the upper cervical spine of a 70-year-old woman, which occupied the intradural and extradural portions, simultaneously. She underwent the operation with C2,3 total laminectomy and grossly total removal and postoperative radiation therapy. Extraosseous chordoma was very rare in the literatures. In addition, it was the first reported case of the extraosseous chordoma occupeid the intradural and extradural portions, simultaneously. And extraosseous chordoma must be distinguished from ecchordosis physaliphora, which is benign nature, usually asymptomatic.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.140-143
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• 2001

We report a case of huge trigeminal schwannoma in a 10-year-old boy with neurofibromatosis type II, extending into the three spaces of the left middle, posterior, and infratemporal fossa. Initially we thought the child had a solitary trigeminal schwannoma, and most of the mass was resected successfully through one-stage operation, cranio-orbito-zygomatic intradural approach. However during the follow-up of the patient we found radiographically other multiple intracranial tumors of bilateral acoustic schwannomas, right trigeminal schwannoma, and foramen magnum tumor. Eventually the patient was diagnosed as neurofibromatosis type II presenting multiple intracranial tumors. We think childhood trigeminal schwannoma, even though in the case of solitary tumor, should be considered as possible initial manifestation of neurofibromatosis type II and that careful follow-up for the possibility of occurrence of other brain tumors such as schwannomas or meningiomas is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.350-353
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• 2005

Objective: Various methods of treatment for idiopathic cervical dystonia have been tried in the past with unsatisfactory results. The authors report cases of five patients who underwent selective peripheral denervation for spasmodic torticollis. Methods: Between July 2002 and December 2003, 5 patients underwent surgery at St. Mary's Hospital for spasmodic torticollis. Age of the patient at the onset of symptoms ranged from 29 to 56years (mean 43.75years). Selective peripheral denervation(SPD) was performed at 7 to 11 months after the onset of symptoms (mean 8.75 months). A patient was considered to be the candidate for surgery if conservative methods were unsuccessful and symptoms persisted for longer than 7months. In addition, 2patients who refused treatment with botulinum toxin were also enrolled in this study. Results: Although one patient underwent reoperation, all of the five patients' symptoms were improved after the operation. Clinically, patients with retrocollis showed better improvement than laterocollis patients. Conclusion: Although injection of botulinum toxin is the first-choice in treatment modality, when surgery is required, selective peripheral denervation provides good results with minimum side effects.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.491-499
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• 2000

Objective : In the cerebral aneurysm surgery, the goal is complete circulatory exclusion of the aneurysm without compromise of normal vessels. In an operating room, an operator should confirm the completeness and precision of the surgical result, before closing the wound. Object of this study was to determine which cases require intraoperative angiography. Methods : We reported our experience with 48 intraoperative angiographic studies performed during the surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysm of these 48 cases. There were 5 giant(10.4%), 15 globular(1.5-2.5cm)(31.25%) and 28 saccular(58.3%) aneurysm. We recorded the incidence of unexpected findings, such as residual aneurysms, major vessel occlusions. Using Fischer's exact test, we assessed whether unexpected angiographic findings showed any correlation with aneurysm site, size and clinical findings. Results : In 5 cases(10.4%), we detected unexpected angiographic findings which resulted in clip adjustment. By means of clip adjustment, an operator could restore the flow of two major arterial occlusion(4.2%) and also obliterate three persistent filling aneurysms(6.3%). Globular aneurysm was the only factor to predict unexpected angiographic findings(p<0.05). The subgroup of globular and giant aneurysm has a high risk of occlusion of the parent artery and its branches and/or residual aneurysm. There were two minor complications related to this procedure. Conclusion : Intraoperative assessment makes it possible to recognize and correct the technical defect. Particularly in globular aneurysm, we were able to prevent both the chance for another operation and the risk of postoperative complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.434-437
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• 2000

Unilateral hydrocephalus is an uncommon disease which may result from obstruction of the foramen of Monro. Congenital or acquired lesions obstructing this foramen have been reported. We present a case of prenatally diagnosed fetal unilateral hydrocephalus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation was performed and following the procedure, ventricular size was decreased and patients neurological status was improved.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.336-340
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• 2009

Objective : The factors that influence the prognosis of patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) treated by microvascular decompression (MVD) have not been definitely established. We report a prospective study evaluating the prognostic factors in patients undergoing MVD for HFS. Methods : From January 2004 to September 2006, the authors prospectively studied a series of 293 patients who underwent MVD for HFS. We prospectively analyzed a number of variables in order to evaluate the predictive value of independent variables for the prognosis of patients undergoing MVD. The patients were followed-up at regular intervals and divided into as cured and unsatisfactory groups based on symptom relief. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models. Results : A total 273 of 293 (94.2%) patients achieved symptom relief within one year after the operation. Intraoperatively, the indentation of the root exit zone was observed in 259 (88.5%) patients. Uni- and multivariate analyses revealed that the symptoms at postoperative 3 months (p<0.001) and indentation of the root exit zone (p=0.036) were associated with good outcomes. Conclusion : The intraoperative finding of root exit zone indentation will help physicians determine the prognosis in patients with HFS. To predict the prognosis of HFS, a regular follow-up period of at least 3 months following MVD should be required.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.206-210
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• 2014

Objective : Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common degenerative spine disease that requires surgical intervention. Currently, there is interest in minimally invasive surgery and various technical modifications of decompressive lumbar laminectomy without fusion. The purpose of this study was to present the author's surgical technique and results for decompression of spinal stenosis. Methods : The author performed surgery in 57 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis between 2006 and 2010. Data were gathered retrospectively via outpatient interviews and telephone questionnaires. The operation used in this study was named central decompressive laminoplasty (CDL), which allows thorough decompression of the lumbar spinal canal and proximal two foraminal nerve roots by undercutting the lamina and facet joint. Kyphotic prone positioning on elevated curvature of the frame or occasional use of an interlaminar spreader enables sufficient interlaminar working space. Pain was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Surgical outcome was analyzed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data were analyzed preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Results : The interlaminar window provided by this technique allowed for unhindered access to the central canal, lateral recess, and upper/lower foraminal zone, with near-total sparing of the facet joint. The VAS scores and ODI were significantly improved at six-month follow-up compared to preoperative levels (p<0.001, respectively). Excellent pain relief (>75% of initial VAS score) of back/buttock and leg was observed in 75.0% and 76.2% of patients, respectively. Conclusion : CDL is easily applied, allows good field visualization and decompression, maintains stability by sparing ligament and bony structures, and shows excellent early surgical results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.218-221
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• 2014

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), which rarely happens in the young, is thought to be a disease of the elderly. Whereas unspecific symptoms and insidious onset in juveniles and young adults, as a result of its relative low morbidity, CSDH is usually neglected even undertreated in the young. Through the three cases and review of the current literature on this subject, we tried to illustrate the clinical and etiopathological characteristics of this entity and find out the most appropriate treatment strategy. We report three young CSDH patients with different but similar symptoms. The present histories, tests and examinations revealed different predisposing factors accounting for the genesis of CSDH. Their preoperative symptoms were all resolved with burr hole and drainage operation. Juveniles and young adults suffering from CSDH differ from that of their elderly counterparts in their clinical and etiopathological characteristics. Although trauma is the most important risk factor in young and old CSDH patients, some other predisposing factors may exist. Burr hole and drainage surgery could resolve the problem most of the time. But further tests and examinations even specific management should be made in some cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.586-593
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• 2019

Objective : To study risk factors of secondary lumbar discectomy (LD) for recurrent herniated lumbar disc (HLD) and identify methods to lower the rate of recurrence. Methods : Data from 160 patients who underwent primary LD were collected retrospectively. Demographic features, radiologic findings including Pfirrmann disc degeneration, and surgical information were analyzed to compare risks between revision and non-revision patients. Results : The revision rate was 15% (24 patients), and the mean follow-up was 28.3 months. HLD recurrence was not related to any demographic characteristics. Primary and secondary LD were most common at the L4-5 level, but the level of operation was not significantly associated with revision. Primary LD most commonly had a Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade of 3, followed by 4. For recurrent HLD, Pfirrmann grade 4 was most common and was statistically significant (p<0.05). A body mass index (BMI) over 30 was considered obese and was significantly related with HLD revision (p<0.05). Conclusion : Patients with high BMI or severe disc degeneration should be informed of HLD revision.