• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.286-291
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• 2006

Objective : We evaluate the effect of the copolymer-coated coils on immediate occlusion of the aneurysm, preventing rupture, and decreasing compaction or re-growth. Methods : Thirty-five aneurysms treated between September 2003 and December 2004 using Matrix detachable coil were reviewed. Study population consisted of 12 men and 23 women ranging in age from 34 to 75 years[mean, 55.1 years]. Twenty-two aneurysms were ruptured and 23 aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation. Follow-up angiography was obtained in 16 patients after 6 months from the procedure. Results : Initial complete occlusion was achieved in 17 aneurysms[48.6%], and the others remained as a residual neck in 8 aneurysms[22.8%] and residual sac in 10 aneurysms[28.6%]. Among these incompletely occluded aneurysms, 7 aneurysms were performed follow-up angiography. And 6 of them converted into complete occlusion. In the other hands, among 17 aneurysms achieved complete occlusion initially, 9 aneurysms were performed follow-up angiography. Recurrence due to coil compaction occurred in one aneurysm and the others maintained complete occlusion. There was one mortality case due to thromboembolic complication. Conclusion : In spite of difficulty in achieving complete occlusion with Matrix coil system, there is no rupture or re-rupture during follow-up period. Follow-up angiography shows many conversions of residual sac into complete occlusion. Embolization using Matrix coil system is safe and effective, but the effects of PGLA copolymer need further investigation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.427-436
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• 2021

Objective : The fate of partially thrombosed intracranial aneurysms (PTIAs) is not well known after endovascular treatment. The authors aimed to analyze the treatment outcomes of PTIAs. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 27 PTIAs treated with endovascular intervention between January 1999 and March 2018. Twenty-one aneurysms were treated with intraluminal embolization (ILE), and six were treated with parent artery occlusion (PAO) with or without bypass surgery. Radiological results, clinical outcomes and risk factors for major recurrence were assessed. Results : The initial clinical status was similar in both groups; however, the last status was better in the ILE group than in the PAO group (p=0.049). Neurological deterioration resulted from mass effect in one case and rupture in one after ILE, and mass effect in two and perforator infarction in one after PAO. Twenty cases (94.2%) in the ILE group initially achieved complete occlusion or residual neck status. However, 13 cases (61.9%) showed major recurrence, the major causes of which included coil migration or compaction. Seven cases (33.3%) ultimately achieved residual sac status after repeat treatment. In the PAO group, all initially showed complete occlusion or a residual neck, and just one case ultimately had a residual sac. Two cases showed major recurrence, the cause of which was incomplete PAO. Aneurysm wall calcification was the only significantly protective factor against major recurrence (odds ratio, 36.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.85 to 705.18; p=0.018). Conclusion : Complete PAO of PTIAs is the best option if treatment-related complications can be minimized. Simple fluoroscopy is a useful imaging modality because of the recurrence pattern.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.274-280
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• 2013

Objective : To evaluate the feasibility and clinical and angiographic outcomes of stent-assisted embolization for complex middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. Methods : The records of 23 consecutive patients with 24 MCA aneurysms, who underwent stent-assisted embolization of the aneurysm, were retrospectively evaluated. Results : Fifteen aneurysms were treated with one stent and 8 were treated using more than two stents (5 a stent-within-a-stent, 1 triple stents, and two Y-stent). Angiographically, complete or near complete occlusion was achieved in 15 aneurysms (65.2%), residual neck in five (21.7%), and residual aneurysm in three (13.1%). Five aneurysms demonstrated thrombosis within the stent during the procedure and hospitalization, and were resolved by intraarterial and intravenous Tirofiban injection. Symptomatic thromboembolic complications were developed in five patients and permanent deficits demonstrated in two patients with modified Rankin Scale 1 and 2, respectively. Treatment-related permanent morbidity and mortality rates were 8.3% and 0% with relatively high complication rate. Angiographic follow-up was available in 17 aneurysms at 6-31 months (mean, 13.2 months) and showed stable or improved in 15 (88.2%) and major and minor recurrence in one, respectively. Conclusion : Complex MCA aneurysms could be treated by stent-assisted coiling and showed lower recanalization rate during mid-term follow-up by effective flow diversion due to various stent-assisted techniques. Our results warrant further study with a longer follow-up period in a larger sample.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2021

Objective : Although stent-assisted coiling (SAC) has been reported to be safe and effective in treating wide-necked aneurysms, the technique has procedure-related complications. Thus, we reported our experiences of SAC using the Neuroform Atlas stent in treating wide-necked aneurysms and evaluated the incidence of and risk factors for procedure-related complications. Methods : From March 2018 to August 2019, we treated 130 unruptured wide-necked aneurysms in 123 patients with Neuroform Atlas stents. Angiographic results and clinical outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical and angiographic follow-up were performed in all cases (mean, 12.4 months) after the procedure. Results : There were eight cases (6.2%) of procedure-related complications (two dissections, five thromboembolisms, and one hemorrhage) and two (1.5%) of delayed complications (one ischemia and one hemorrhage). There was one case (0.8%) of failure of stent deployment and one (0.8%) of suboptimal positioning of the stent. Follow-up angiography showed complete obliteration in 103 (79.2%), residual neck in 16 (12.3%), and residual aneurysm in 11 cases (8.5%). Aneurysm locations in the middle cerebral artery (odds ratio [OR], 2.211; p=0.046) and the anterior communicating artery (OR, 2.850; p=0.039) were associated with procedure-related complications on univariate analysis. However, no independent risk factor for procedure-related complications was noted in multivariate analysis. Conclusion : The Neuroform Atlas showed a high rate of technical success. Good clinical and radiographic outcomes in early follow-up suggests that the device is feasible and safe. SAC of aneurysms on the middle cerebral artery or anterior communicating artery may require more attention to prevent possible procedure-related complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.281-285
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• 2007

Objective : Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are fragile and known to have high risks for intraoperative premature rupture and a relatively high associated morbidity. To improve surgical outcomes of DACA aneurysms, we reviewed our surgical strategy and its results postoperatively. Methods : A total of 845 patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms were operated in our hospital from January 1991 to December 2005. Twenty-three of 845 patients had ruptured DACA aneurysms which were operated on according to our surgical strategy. Our surgical strategy was as follows; early surgery, appropriate releasing of CSF, appropriate surgical approach, using neuronavigating system, securing the bridging veins, using temporary clipping and/or tentative clipping, meticulous manipulation of aneurysm, and using micro-Doppler flow probe. Twenty of 23 patients who had complete medical records were studied retrospectively. We observed the postoperative radiographic findings and checked Glasgow Outcome Scale score sixth months after the operation. Results : Nineteen DACA aneurysms were clipped through a unilateral interhemispheric approach and one DACA aneurysm was clipped through a pterional approach. Postoperative radiographic findings revealed complete clipping of aneurysmal neck without stenosis or occlusion of parent arteries. In two patients, a residual neck of aneurysm was visualized. Seventeen patients showed good recovery, one patient resulted in moderate disability, while 2 patients died. Conclusion : With our surgical strategy it was possible to achieve acceptable surgical morbidity and mortality rates in patients with DACA aneurysms. Appropriate use of tentative clipping, temporary clipping and neuro-navigating systems can give great help for safe approach and clipping of DACA aneurysm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2013

Objective : Surgical results for anterior choroidal artery (AChA) aneurysms have previously been reported as unsatisfactory due to inadvertent occlusion of the AChA, while the low incidence of AChA aneurysms hampers the accumulation of surgical experience. The authors reviewed their related surgical experience to document the ischemic complications and surgical outcomes. Methods : Identification of the AChA at its origin by rigorous visual scrutiny, careful microdissection, and meticulous clip placement to avoid the AChA origin are all crucial surgical maneuvers. A retrospective review of a surgical series of 62 consecutive cases of an AChA aneurysm between 2004 and 2012 was performed. Results : All patients, except for five (8.1%) with a small residual neck, showed complete aneurysm obliteration in postoperative angiographic evaluations. There was no incidence of procedure-related permanent AChA syndrome or oculomotor nerve palsy, while three (4.8%) patients suffered from transient AChA syndrome. The clinical outcomes [the 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS)] of the patients were related to their preoperative World Federation of Neurologic Surgeons (WFNS) grade. As regards the 3-month mRS, significant differences were found between patients with an unruptured aneurysm (WFNS grade 0; n=20), good-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (WFNS grade 1-3; n=30), and poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (WFNS grade 4-5; n=4). Conclusion : In surgical treatment of AChA aneurysms, a risk of AChA insufficiency can be minimized by taking every precaution to preserve the AChA patency and intraoperative monitoring. In addition, the surgical outcome is primarily determined by the preoperative clinical state.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2014

Background: Although a residual intimal tear may contribute to the dilatation of the descending aorta following surgical repair of acute type I aortic dissection (AD), its causal relationship has not been elucidated by clinical data due to the limited resolution of imaging modalities. Methods: This study enrolled 41 patients (age, $55.2{\pm}11.9$ years) who were evaluated with dual-source computed tomography (CT) imaging of the whole aorta in the setting of the surgical repair of acute type I AD. Logistic regression models were used to determine the predictors of a composite of the aortic aneurysm formation (diameter >55 mm) and rapid aortic expansion (>5 mm/yr). Results: On initial CT, a distal re-entry tear was identified in 9 patients. Two patients failed to achieve proximal tear exclusion by the surgery. Serial follow-up CT evaluations (median, 24.6 months; range, 6.0 to 67.2 months) revealed that 14 patients showed rapid expansion of the descending aorta or aortic aneurysm formation. A multivariate analysis revealed that the residual intimal tear (odds ratio [OR], 4.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 19.31) and the patent false lumen in the early postoperative setting (OR, 4.64; 95% CI, 0.99 to 43.61) were predictive of the composite endpoint. Conclusion: The presence of a residual intimal tear following surgery for acute type I AD adversely influenced the expansion of the descending aorta.

• 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.52 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2012

Objective : A superciliary keyhole approach is an attractive, minimally invasive surgical technique, yet the procedure is limited due to a small cranial opening. Nonetheless, an unruptured supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm can be an optimal surgical target of a superciliary approach as it is located in the center of the surgical view and field. Therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility and surgical outcomes of a superciliary keyhole approach for unruptured ICA aneurysms. Methods : The authors report on a consecutive series of patients who underwent a superciliary approach for clipping unruptured ICA aneurysms between January 2007 and February 2012. The data were compared with a historical control group who underwent a pterional approach between January 2003 and December 2006. Results : In the superciliary group, a total of 71 aneurysms were successfully clipped without a residual sac in 70 patients with a mean age of 57 years (range, 37-75 years). The maximum diameter of the aneurysms ranged from 4 mm to 14 mm (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, $6.6{\pm}2.3$ mm). No direct mortality or permanent morbidity was related to the surgery. The superciliary approach demonstrated statistically significant advantages over the pterional approach, including a shorter operative duration (mean, 100 min), no intraoperative blood transfusions, and no postoperative epidural hemorrhages. Conclusion : A superciliary keyhole approach provides a sufficient surgical corridor to clip most unruptured supraclinoid ICA aneurysms in a minimally invasive manner.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.753-761
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• 1984

Most patients having annuloaortic ectasia are associated with marked dilatation of the sinuses of Valsalva and the aortic annulus as well as the huge aneurysm of the ascending aorta. A 19 year old male patient complaining of tightness on left posterior chest wall underwent cardiac angiography in which demonstrated annuloaortic ectasia with ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic insufficiency. The patient had corrective operation replacing the ascending aorta and aortic valve with a composite graft[Dacron prosthesis containing a Bjork-Shiley aortic valve] within the aneurysmal sac. The coronary orifices were anastomosed to the tubular Dacron prosthesis [30 mm in diameter] by means of a second smaller Gore-Tex tube [8mm in diameter]. The aneurysmal sac was trimmed by removing the redundant wall and then wrapped outer wall of the Dacron prosthesis. Postoperatively, mediastinal bleeding was temporarily observed in the operative day and satisfactory blood pressure was maintained with small dose of dopamine. One week later, large amount of serous effusion was drained out of the retrosternal space making partial disruption of the skin which was healed well by daily local dressing. The patient discharged in good condition on postoperative 29th day with no residual complications and is doing very well on the 4 months follow-up.