• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.314-318
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• 2016

Posterior fossa is a site next to the middle fossa where arachnoid cyst frequently occurs. Generally, most arachnoid cysts are asymptomatic and are found incidentally in most cases. Although arachnoid cysts are benign and asymptomatic lesions, patients with posterior fossa arachnoid cysts often complain of headaches, gait disturbance, and ataxia due to the local mass effects on the cerebellum. We observed a patient with a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst who had visual symptoms and a headache, but did not have gait disturbance and ataxia. We recommended an emergency operation for decompression, but the patient refused for personal reasons. After 7 days, the patient revisited our hospital in a state of near-blindness. We suspected that the arachnoid cyst induced the hydrocephalus and thereby the enlarged third ventricle directly compressed optic nerves. Compressed optic nerves were rapidly aggravated during the critical seven days; consequently, the patient's vision was damaged despite the operation. Considering the results of our case, it is important to keep in mind that the aggravation of symptoms cannot be predicted; therefore, symptomatic arachnoid cysts should be treated without undue delay.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.441-444
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• 2006

Objective : The goal of this study is to evaluate the clinical results in six patients who underwent surgical decompression for the acute subdural hematomas[ASDH] of posterior cranial fossa. Methods : Six patients [five males and one female] who had undergone surgery for ASDH of posterior cranial fossa between 2000 and 2005, were evaluated retrospectively with regard to clinicoradiological findings and surgical outcomes. The mean age was 45.8 years [range $9{\sim}67\;years$]. Results : Preoperative computed tomography showed ASDH on cerebellar hemisphere in four patients and on midline in two. All patients had the associated lesions such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, epidural or subdural hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, contusion or pneumocephalus in supratentorial area. Fracture of occipital bone was noted in two patients. Of the four patients who had 13 to 15 of Glasgow coma scale score at the time of admission, three were deteriorated within 24 hours after trauma. Of these three patients, delayed subdural hematoma developed 1 hour after initial normal CT finding in one patient and increased in thickness in another one. Postoperative outcome showed good recovery in three patients and moderate disability in one. Two patients were expired. Conclusion : This study supports that early diagnosis based on strict observation and prompt surgery in the patients with ASDH in posterior fossa will lead to the best results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.477-479
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• 2010

A case of delayed progressive extradural pneumatocele after microvascular decompression (MVD) is presented. A 60-year-old male underwent MVD for hemifacial spasm; the mastoid air cell was opened and sealed with bone wax during surgery. One month after surgery, the patient complained of tinnitus, and progressive extradural pneumatoceles without cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage was observed. Revision surgery was performed and the opened mastoid air cell was completely sealed with muscle patch and glue. The patient's symptoms were resolved, with no recurrence of pneumatoceles at 6 month follow up. Progressive extradural pneumatocele without CSF leakage after posterior fossa surgery is a very rare complication. Previous reports and surgical management of this rare complication are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.405-410
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• 2013

Objective : The objective of this study was to investigate changes in the posterior cranial fossa in patients with symptomatic Chiari malformation type I (CMI) compared to a control group. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiological data from 12 symptomatic patients with CMI and 24 healthy control subjects. The structures of the brain and skull base were investigated using magnetic resonance imaging. Results : The length of the clivus had significantly decreased in the CMI group than in the control group (p=0.000). The angle between the clivus and the McRae line (p<0.024), as the angle between the supraocciput and the McRae line (p<0.021), and the angle between the tentorium and a line connecting the internal occipital protuberance to the opisthion (p<0.009) were significantly larger in the CMI group than in the control group. The mean vertical length of the cerebellar hemisphere (p<0.003) and the mean length of the coronal and sagittal superoinferior aspects of the cerebellum (p<0.05) were longer in the CMI group than in the control group, while the mean length of the axial anteroposterior aspect of the cerebellum (p<0.001) was significantly shorter in the CMI group relative to control subjects. Conclusion : We elucidate the transformation of the posterior cranial fossa into the narrow funnel shape. The sufficient cephalocaudal extension of the craniectomy of the posterior cranial fossa has more decompression effect than other type extension of the craniectomy in CMI patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.359-366
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• 2007

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition associated with severe episodic lancinating facial pain subject to remissions and relapses. Trigeminal neuralgia is often associated with blood vessel cross compression of the root entry zone or more rarely with demyelinating diseases and occasionally with direct compression by neoplasms of the posterior fossa. If initial medical management fails to control pain or is associated with unacceptable side effects, a variety of surgical procedures offer the hope for long-lasting pain relief or even cure. For patients who are healthy without significant medical co-morbidities, direct microsurgical vascular decompression [MVD] offers treatment that is often definitive. Other surgical options are effective for elderly patients not suitable for MVD. Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy is a minimally invasive technique that is based on anatomic definition of the trigeminal cistern followed by injection of anhydrous glycerol to produce a weak neurolytic effect on the post-ganglionic fibers. Other percutaneous management strategies include radiofrequency rhizotomy and balloon compression. More recently, stereotactic radiosurgery has been used as a truly minimally invasive strategy. It also is anatomically based using high resolution MRI to define the retrogasserian target. Radiosurgery provides effective symptomatic relief in the vast majority of patients, especially those who have never had prior surgical procedures. For younger patients, we recommend microvascular decompression. For patients with severe exacerbations of their pain and who need rapid response to treatment, we suggest glycerol rhizotomy. For other patients, gamma knife radiosurgery represents an effective management strategy with excellent preservation of existing facial sensation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2006

Objective : This study was conducted to examine the correlation between clinical outcomes and the size of the syrinx in post-operative magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] and symptom duration. Methods : The authors investigated twelve patients who underwent various operations for syringomyelia from January 1995 to December 2003. The authors retrospectively analyzed medical records. pre- and post-operative MRI findings, features and durations of symptoms, and the method of surgical treatments. The clinical outcomes were assessed on Prolo scale at 6 months of post-operative period. Results : Neurologic symptoms did not promptly disappear after the shrinkage of syrinx, but post-operative MRI demonstrated most patients showed reductions in the size of the syrinx. There is no statistical relationship between clinical improvements and decrements of the syrinx size. However, patients who underwent surgical treatment within 2 years from the symptom onset had more favorable outcome than those who had operations after 2 years from the onset of symptoms. Conclusion : Change in the size of the syrinx in post-operative MRI is not directly proportional to favorable clinical outcomes. However, symptom duration before surgical treatment has considerable impact on the clinical outcomes.