• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2006

Objective : The authors investigate appropriate evaluation and surgical methods in treatment of the cerebral paragonimiasis accompanying epilepsy. Methods : Thirteen patients with the cerebral paragonimiasis accompanying epilepsy were included for this study. Preoperative evaluation methods included history taking, skin and serologic tests for Paragonimus westermani, neurologic examinations, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, amytal test, PET or SPECT, and video-EEG monitoring with depth and subdural grid electrodes. Seizure outcome was evaluated according to Engel's classification. Results : Surgical methods were temporal lobectomy including lesions in six, lesionectomy in five, and temporal lobectomy plus lesionectomy in two. Postoperative neurological complications were not noticed, and seizure outcomes were class I in 12 patients [92%], class II in one [8%]. Conclusion : In patients with a cerebral paragonimiasis accompanying epilepsy, further evaluation methods must be done to define the epileptogenic zone, and complete resection of the epileptogenic zone with different surgical methods should be performed for seizure control.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.3 s.248
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• pp.237-240
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• 2005

Improved operative, anesthetic, and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) techniques have significantly reduced postoperative complications; however, neurologic disorders remain a serious complication after open heart surgery. Possible explanations for neurologic complications are microembolism from CPB, decreased cerebral pefusion pressure due to intraoperative hypotension and unexpected metabolic changes. Amomg these, seizure has low incidence and Todd's paralysis after open heart surgery is extremely rare. Todd's paralysis is a complication of a seizure due to neuronal exhaustion mimicking large cerebral infarction after open heart surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1001-1007
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• 2000

Objective : We analysed diverse clinical features of the cavernous angioma. Also, we report the experience in differ-ent methods of the management and their results. Method : Data from 80 patients who were confirmed pathologically or diagnosed radiologically between Jan. 1990 and Sept. 1998 at our hospital were analysed. Variable factors that were examined were : clinical features, effects of treatment, and complications. Results : There were 47 male and 33 female patients. The age at the first presentation was from 3 to 57(mean 34.1) years old. Clinical features were seizure in 28 cases(38%), bleeding in 24 cases(32%), neurologic deficits in 12 cases(16%), headache in 10 cases(14%), and six incidental cases. The locations of lesion were cerebral and cerebellar hemisphere in 45 cases(56.2%), brainstem, basal ganglia, and thalamus in 32 cases(40%), multiple in 3 cases (3.8%). Seizure was common at the third decade and occurred frequently with the cavernous angioma in temporal (43%) or frontal lobe(39%). Bleeding was frequent after the third decade with peak at the fourth decade and had high incidence in brainstem or thalamus. The gamma-knife radiosurgery was done in 47 cases. Rebleeding occurred in 3 cases, but it was within postradiosurgery 1 year. Symptomatic radiation change occurred in 2 cases of 8 radiation change on MRI. On follow-up MRI, no evidence of rebleeding was found in 30 cases. Also, The lesion size was decreased in 3 cases. Resection was performed in 23 cases ; total 20, subtotal 2, partial 1. Postoperative complication occurred in 6 cases(26.1%). After surgery, 7(63.6%) of 11 seizure patients had outcome of seizure-free. Subclinical rebleeding occurred in one of two subtotal resected cases. In 11 patients, conservative management was done. There was neither rebleeding nor symptom aggravation during follow-up period of mean 17.2 months. Conclusion : The solution for prevention of rebleeding is complete removal of the lesion located at noneloquent area or accessible region, especially for the patients who presented symptoms or intractable seizure. However, the Gamma knife radiosurgery is considered when the lesions are located at eloquent area or when severe postoperative morbidity is expected.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.198-200
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• 2008

Giant cavernous malformations (GCMs) occur very rarely and little has been reported about their clinical characteristics. The authors present a case of a 20-year-old woman with a GCM. She was referred due to two episodes of generalized seizure. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance image demonstrated a heterogeneous multi-cystic lesion of $7\times5\times5$ cm size in the left frontal lobe and basal ganglia, and enhancing vascular structure abutting medial portion of the mass. These fingings suggested a diagnosis of GCM accompanying venous angioma. After left frontal craniotomy, transcortical approach was done. Total removal was accomplished and the postoperative course was uneventful. GCMs do not seem differ clinically, surgically or histopathologically from small cavernous angiomas, but imaging appearance of GCMs may be variable. The clinical, radiological feature and management of GCMs are described based on pertinent literature review.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.249-254
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• 2000

Objective : As a minimally invasive strategy, endoscopic technique was introduced for removal of the traumatic intracerebral hematoma. Material and Method : A 54-year-old man with three-day history of seizure and progressive mental deterioration after traffic accident was presented. Computerized Tomography(CT) of the brain showed a huge intracerebral hematoma on the right frontal lobe and ventricle. The operation was performed via right frontal superolateral keyhole with 2cm eyebrow skin incision. Using 0-degree and 30-degree angled lens 4mm rigid endoscopes, nearly all of the hematoma was evacuated under the direct endoscopic visualization and a ventricular catheter was exactly placed into the frontal horn of the right lateral ventricle at the end of procedure. Results : The seizure was discontinued and neurological status had been improved during postoperative periods. Postoperative CT demonstrated that most of the hematoma was removed and the ventricular drainge tube was exactly placed in the right foramen of Monro. Conclusion : With endoscopic technique, the authors successfully evacuated traumatic intracerebral hematoma and exactly placed the ventricular drainage catheter under direct visualization. This technique may be considered as an another option for removal of traumatic intracerebral hematoma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.676-682
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• 1990

From August, 1978, to August, 1989, 22 patients underwent pericardiectomy for chronic constrictive pericarditis on the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Keimyung University. There were 14 male and 6 female patients ranging from 11 years to 70 years old[mean age, 44. 1 years]. All patients underwent radical pericardiectomy through a median sternotomy. There was 1 postoperative death[4.s%]. This patient died of low cardiac output 7 days after pericardiectomy. Postoperative complications were hemothorax[2 patients], low cardiac output[2 patients], generalized seizure[1 patient], wound infection[1 patient] and pneumonia[1 patient]. Clinical and pathological findings showed tuberculous origin in 12 patients[54.6%], unknown etiology in 8 patients[36.4%] pyogenic pericarditis in 2 patients[9.1%]. Three hemodynamic responses to pericardiectomy were observed: [1] rapid response, where central venous pressure[CUP] fell below 10 cmH2O by 24 hours in 6 patients; [2] delayed response. Where CVP fell below 10 cmH2O by 48 hours in 12 patients; and [3] no response of CVP in 4 patients. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 62 months with an average of 35.3 months. Postoperative Functional Class was obtained for 21 surviving patients and showed 18 patients[81.8%] to be New York Heart Association functional class I or II.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.466-471
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this study was to devise an objective clustering method for magnetoencephalography (MEG) interictal spike sources, and to identify the prognostic value of the new clustering method in adult epilepsy patients with cortical dysplasia (CD). Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 25 adult patients with histologically proven CD, who underwent MEG examination and surgical resection for intractable epilepsy. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 3.1 years. A hierarchical clustering method was adopted for MEG interictal spike source clustering. Clustered sources were then tested for their prognostic value toward surgical outcome. Results : Postoperative seizure outcome was Engel class I in 6 (24%), class II in 3 (12%), class III in 12 (48%), and class IV in 4 (16%) patients. With respect to MEG spike clustering, 12 of 25 (48%) patients showed 1 cluster, 2 (8%) showed 2 or more clusters within the same lobe, 10 (40%) showed 2 or more clusters in a different lobe, and 1 (4%) patient had only scattered spikes with no clustering. Patients who showed focal clustering achieved better surgical outcome than distributed cases (p=0.017). Conclusion : This is the first study that introduces an objective method to classify the distribution of MEG interictal spike sources. By using a hierarchical clustering method, we found that the presence of focal clustered spikes predicts a better postoperative outcome in epilepsy patients with CD.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.199-204
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• 2023

It is critical to identify the ruptured cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) for secondary prevention. However, there are rare cases unidentified on the radiological evaluation. We report on a patient with the delayed appearance of radiologically occult AVM as a probable cause of the previous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). An 18-year-old male patient presented with a right temporal ICH. The preoperative radiological examination did not reveal any causative lesions. Because of the intraoperative findings suggesting an AVM, however, only hematoma was evacuated. Disappointedly, there were no abnormal findings on postoperative and follow-up radiographic examinations. Eleven years later, the patient presented with an epileptic seizure, and an AVM was identified in the right temporal lobe where ICH had occurred before. The patient underwent partial glue embolization followed by total surgical resection of the AVM and anterior temporal lobe. Based on the literature review published in the era of magnetic resonance imaging, common clinical presentation of radiologically occult AVMs included headache and seizure. Most of them were confirmed by pathologic examination after surgery. In cases of the ICH of unknown etiology in young patients, long-term follow-up should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2009

Objective: Although prophylactic antiepileptic drug (AED) use in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common practice, lack of uniform definitions and guidelines for seizures and AEDs rendered this prescription more habitual instead of evidence-based manner. We herein evaluated the incidence and predictive factors of seizure and complications about AED use. Methods: From July 1999 to June 2007, data of a total of 547 patients with aneurysmal SAH who underwent operative treatments were reviewed. For these, the incidence and risk factors of seizures and epilepsy were assessed, in addition to complications of AEDs. Results: Eighty-three patients (15.2%) had at least one seizure following SAH. Forty-three patients (79%) had onset seizures, 34 (6.2%) had perioperative seizures, and 17 (3.1%) had late epilepsy. Younger age (< 40 years), poor clinical grade, thick hemorrhage, acute hydrocephalus, and rebleeding were related to the occurrence of onset seizures. Cortical infarction and thick hemorrhage were independent risk factors for the occurrence of late epilepsy. Onset seizures were not predictive of late epilepsy. Moreover, adverse drug effects were identified in 128 patients (23.4%) with AEDs. Conclusion: Perioperative seizures are not significant predictors for late epilepsy. Instead, initial amount of SAH and surgery-induced cortical damage should be seriously considered as risk factors for late epilepsy. Because AEDs can not prevent early postoperative seizures (< 1 week) and potentially cause unexpected side effects, long-term use should be readjusted in high-risk patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.200-203
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• 2007

We describe a case that showed augmention of the superficial temporal artery [STA] pedicle's patency 15 months after extracranial to intracranial [EC-IC] bypass surgery for a carotid artery occlusion with contralateral intracranial internal carotid artery stenosis. It is rare that meager patency of the STA pedicle in the early postoperative angiogram can be become well augmented with time where most branches of the middle cerebral artery [MCA] are robustly filled with blood from the STA. A 28-year-old woman with a history of a previous left hemispheric stroke presented with slurred speech after several bouts of seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a new infarct on the right hemisphere in addition to an old infarct on the left hemisphere. Carotid angiography revealed stenosis of the right carotid siphon and occlusion of the left carotid artery. The patient underwent EC-IC bypass on the right side. Even though the early postoperative angiogram showed meager filling of MCA with no significant stenotic lesion change, a subsequent angiogram taken 15 months later, demonstrated a widely patent STA pedicle with occlusion of the previous intracranial stenotic lesion. Selected cases with an inaccessible intracranial stenotic lesion can benefit from EC-IC bypass surgery; however, its clear indication should first be established.