• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.404-408
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• 2003

Shaken baby syndrome is a serious form of child abuse, mostly involving children younger than 2 years. It results from extreme rotational cranial acceleration induced by violent shaking. The characteristic injuries include subdural hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage, and fracture of ribs or long bones. If physicians have no recognition of, or suspicion about, shaken baby syndrome, this syndome is difficult to diagnosis because of a lack of obvious external signs and failure of the abuser to admit his or her actions. In addition to the high mortality, 60% of survivors have significant long term neurologic and developmental abnormality. The authors experienced five cases of shaken baby syndrome presented with seizures or vomiting, without external signs of trauma. All of these cases had subdural hemorrhages, and four cases had retinal hemorrahges. In our follow up, two children were found to have sequelae such as quadriplegia, monoplegia, and developmental delay. We emphasize that early recognition and prompt treament are key to overall success of case management. The incidence of shaken baby syndrome can be reduced through public awareness and education of parents not to shake a babies.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2008

Objective : Burr hole drainage has been widely used to treat chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). However, the incidence of recurrent CSDH varies from 3.7 to 30% after surgery. The authors attempted to elucidate the risk factors associated with the recurrence of CSDH in one burr hole drainage technique. Methods : A total of 255 consecutive cases who underwent one burr hole drainage for CSDH were included in this study. Twenty-four patients (9.4%) underwent a repeated operation because of the recurrence of CSDH. We analyzed retrospectively the demographic, clinical and radiologic factors associated with the recurrence of CSDH. Results : In this study, two risk factors were found to be independently associated with the recurrence of CSDH. The incidence of CSDH recurrence in the high- and mixed-density groups was significantly higher than those in the low- and iso-density groups (p<0.001). Bleeding tendency such as in leukemia, liver disease and chronic renal failure was also significantly associated with recurrence of CSDH (p=0.037). Conclusion : These results suggest that high- and mixed- density shown on computed tomographic scan was closely relates with a high incidence of recurrence. Therefore, the operation could be delayed in those cases unless severe symptoms or signs are present. Reoperation using the previous burr hole site is a preferred modality to treat the recurrent CSDH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.547-549
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• 2015

Acute subdural hematoma (SDH) of arterial origin is rare, especially SDH associated with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is extremely rare. The authors report a case of acute spontaneous SDH due to rupture of a tiny cortical AVM. A 51-year-old male presented with sudden onset headache and mentality deterioration without a history of trauma. Brain CT revealed a large volume acute SDH compressing the right cerebral hemisphere with subfalcine and tentorial herniation. Emergency decompressive craniectomy was performed to remove the hematoma and during surgery a small (5 mm sized) conglomerated aciniform mass with two surrounding enlarged vessels was identified on the parietal cortex. After warm saline irrigation of the mass, active bleeding developed from a one of the vessel. The bleeding was stopped by coagulation and the vessels were removed. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion as an AVM. We concluded that a small cortical AVM existed at this area, and that the cortical AVM had caused the acute SDH. Follow up conventional angiography confirmed the absence of remnant AVM or any other vascular abnormality. This report demonstrates rupture of a cortical AVM is worth considering when a patient presents with non-traumatic SDH without intracerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2012

Objective : Twist-drill craniostomy (TDC) with closed-system drainage and burr-hole drainage (BHD) with a closed system are effective treatment options for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The aim of this study was to analyze clinical data and surgical results from symptomatic CSDH patients who underwent TDC with closed-system drainage at the pre-coronal point (PCP). Methods : We analyzed data for 134 symptomatic CSDH patients who underwent TDC at the PCP with closed-system drainage. We defined the PCP for TDC to be 1 cm anterior to the coronal suture at the level of superior temporal line. TDC at the PCP with closed-system drainage was selected in patients with CSDH that extended beyond the coronal suture, confirmed by preoperative CT scans. Medical records, radiological findings, and clinical performance were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Of the 134 CSDH patients, 114 (85.1%) showed improved clinical performance and imaging findings after surgery. Catheter failures were seen in two cases (1.4%); the catheters were inserted in the epidural space. Recurrent cases were seen in eight patients (5.6%), and they were improved with a second BHD with a closed-system operation. Conclusion : TDC at the PCP with closed-system drainage is safe and effective for patients with symptomatic CSDH whose hematomas extend beyond the coronal suture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.282-286
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• 2005

Objective: Symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH) is a well-known neurosurgical entity and most of the lesion is managed by surgical treatment. The authors analyze the surgical indication and the treatment results of twist drill craniostomy with closed-system drainage(TDD) for the symptomatic CSDH. Methods: From March 2001 through December 2003, 31 patients who were treated with TDD for the symptomatic CSDH and followed more than 6months were included. The radiologic criteria of TDD in this study were 1) homogeneous density of hematoma on computed tomography(CT), 2) no septation of hematoma on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and 3) thicker hematoma more than twice thickness of skull. Surgical procedures were performed on the maximum thickness of hematoma on CT/MRI. Short and long Steinman pins were used to penetrate the skull and hematoma membrane. As the 5L catheter was inserted through the drill hole, it was kept for 1 - 7days for the drainage of CSDH. The patients of CSDH were followed with clinical symptoms and CT studies. Results: Most of all the 31 patients were improved. However, one patient was suffered from postoperative epidural hematoma and the other patients have received the secondary operation because of the recurrence of CSDH on 3 months after initial surgery. Conclusion: TDD is safe procedure for the symptomatic CSDH if the patients are selected appropriately.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.730-737
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• 2017

Objective : Postoperative hydrocephalus is a common complication following craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury, and affects patients' long-term outcomes. This study aimed to verify the risk factors associated with the development of hydrocephalus after craniectomy in patients with acute traumatic subdural hemorrhage (tSDH). Methods : Patients with acute traumatic SDH who had received a craniectomy between December 2005 and January 2016 were retrospectively assessed by reviewing the coexistence of other types of hemorrahges, measurable variables on computed tomography (CT) scans, and the development of hydrocephalus during the follow-up period. Results : Data from a total of 63 patients who underwent unilateral craniectomy were analyzed. Postoperative hydrocephalus was identified in 34 patients (54%) via brain CT scans. Preoperative intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) was associated with the development of hydrocephalus. Furthermore, the thickness of SDH (p=0.006) and the extent of midline shift before craniectomy (p=0.001) were significantly larger in patients with postoperative hydrocephalus. Indeed, multivariate analyses showed that the thickness of SDH (p=0.019), the extent of midline shift (p<0.001) and the coexistence of IVH (p=0.012) were significant risk factors for the development of postoperative hydrocephalus. However, the distance from the midline to the craniectomy margin was not an associated risk factor for postoperative hydrocephalus. Conclusion : In patients with acute traumatic SDH with coexisting IVH, a large amount of SDH, and a larger midline shift, close follow-up is necessary for the early prediction of postoperative hydrocephalus. Furthermore, craniectomy margin need not be limited in acute traumatic SDH patients for the reason of postoperative hydrocephalus.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2020

Purpose: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease in elderly patients and is usually treated by burr-hole drainage. However, the optimal surgical technique for treating CSDH has not been determined. In this study, we analyzed outcomes and recurrence rates after burr-hole drainage with or without irrigation in patients with CSDH. Methods: Eighty-two CSDH patients treated with burr-hole drainage at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital from March 2015 to June 2016 were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups based on the surgical technique performed as follows: single burr-hole drainage without irrigation (group A, n=47), single burr-hole drainage with irrigation (group B, n=14), or double burr-hole drainage with irrigation (group C, n=21). These three groups were compared with respect to clinical and radiological factors and the recurrence rate, and independent factors predicting recurrence were sought. Results: After burr-hole drainage, CSDH recurred in 15 (18.3%) of the 82 patients, and six patients (7.3%) required reoperation. More specifically, recurrence was observed in 12 patients (25.5%) in group A, one (7.1%) in group B, and two (9.5%) in group C. The number of burr-holes did not significantly affect recurrence (odds ratio [OR]=0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60-2.38), but irrigation had a significant effect (OR=0.20; 95% CI: 0.04-0.97). Conclusions: This study shows that irrigation during burr-hole surgery in CSDH patients significantly reduced the risk of recurrence, regardless of the number of burr-holes used. We therefore recommend the use of active irrigation during burr-hole drainage surgery in CSDH patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.38-41
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• 2013

Objective : Density of the chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is variable. It often appears to be mixed density. Multiple densities of cSDH may result from multiple episodes of trauma. We investigated the frequency of mixed density and the causes of head injuries representing each density. Methods : We could collect 242 cases of chronic SDH. The cSDHs were classified into four groups; hypodensity, homogeneous isodensity, layered type, and mixed type on the basis of CT scans. Results : The density of cSDH was isodense in 115 patients, hypodense in 31 patients, mixed in 79 cases, and layered in 17 cases. The cSDH was on the left side in 115 patients, on the right side in 70 patients, and bilateral in 40 patients. The history of trauma was identifiable in 122 patients. The etiology could be identified in 67.7% of the hypodense hematomas, while it was obscure in 59.5% of the mixed hematomas. Conclusion : Mixed density of cSDH results from multiple episodes of trauma, usually in the aged. It is hard to remember all the trivial traumas for the patients with the mixed density cSDHs. Although there were membranes within the mixed density hematomas, burr-holes were usually enough to drain the hematomas.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.232-238
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• 2017

Objective : An apparent increase of use of drugs affecting hemostasis in our neurosurgical department since the 1990s has encouraged us to investigate whether these drugs influence the clinical course and results of surgery for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Methods : This retrospective analysis included 178 patients admitted for CSDH from 2007 to 2011 who were divided into two groups : on drugs affecting hemostasis (40; 22%) and no bleeding disorders (138; 78%). Medications in the first group included oral anticoagulants (33; 82.5%), antiplatelets (5; 12.5%) and low molecular weight heparins (2; 5%). Results : The patients on drugs affecting hemostasis were older ($74.3{\pm}7.4$ vs. $68.4{\pm}14.8$; p-value 0.01) and the group without bleeding disorders had more head trauma history (61% vs. 38%, p-value 0.01). The groups did not differ in bilateral hematoma rates (25% vs. 20%, p-value=NS). At diagnosis, mean hematoma thickness was lower in patients on drugs affecting hemostasis ($18.7{\pm}7.4mm$ vs. $21.9{\pm}7.9mm$, p-value<0.01). Average stay of hospital was 1 day longer in patients on drugs affecting hemostasis ($11.7{\pm}4.1$ vs.$10.9{\pm}5.3$, p-value=NS) and was related to the necessity of bleeding disorder reversal. Mean neurological status at presentation was similar between the groups (p-value=NS) as was the likelihood of hematoma recurrence (p-value=NS). Glasgow Outcome Scale results were comparable. Conclusion : Patients on drugs affecting hemostasis are less often aware of a head trauma history, possibly suggesting a higher CSDH risk after minor trauma in this group. In these patients, smaller hematomas are symptomatic, probably due to faster hematoma formation. Drugs affecting hemostasis do not affect treatment results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.239-249
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the associations between 30-day mortality and various radiological and clinical factors in patients with traumatic acute subdural hematoma (SDH). During the 11-year study period, young patients who underwent surgery for SDH were followed for 30 days. Patients who died due to other medical comorbidities or other organ problems were not included in the study population. Methods : From January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014, 318 consecutive surgically-treated traumatic acute SDH patients were registered for the study. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze 30-day survival rates. We also estimated the hazard ratios of various variables in order to identify the independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Results : We observed a negative correlation between 30-day mortality and Glasgow coma scale score (per 1-point score increase) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.70; p<0.001). In addition, use of antithrombotics (HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.27-4.33; p=0.008), history of diabetes mellitus (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.20-4.32; p=0.015), and accompanying traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (hazard ratio, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.27-3.58; p=0.005) were positively associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusion : We found significant associations between short-term mortality after surgery for traumatic acute SDH and lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores, use of antithrombotics, history of diabetes mellitus, and accompanying traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage at admission. We expect these findings to be helpful for selecting patients for surgical treatment of traumatic acute SDH, and for making accurate prognoses.