• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.949-952
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• 2000

The incidence of superior cerebellar artery aneurysm is less than 1% of all intracranial aneurysms. These aneurysms usually occur at the junction between the superior cerebellar artery and the basilar trunk, however, seldom occur distally. We present a extremely rare case of distal superior cerebellar artery aneurysm arising at the junction between anterior pontine segment and ambient segment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.239-242
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• 2013

Spontaneous bilateral cerebellar infarction in the territory of the superior cerebellar arteries is extremely rare. Occasionally there have been reports of bilateral cerebellar infarction due to vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic occlusion or stenosis, whereas no report of bilateral cerebellar infarction due to complicated hemodynamic changes. In this report, we present a patient with bilateral cerebral infarctions related to stenoses of bilateral internal carotid arteries, in whom vertebrobasilar system was supplied by multiple collaterals from both posterior communicating arteries and right external carotid artery. We performed stent-angioplasty of bilateral internal cerebral arterial stenosis, and then acute infarction developed on bilateral superior cerebellar artery territories. The authors assumed that the infarction occurred due to hemodynamic change between internal carotid artery and external carotid artery after stent-angioplasty for stenosis of right internal carotid artery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.362-366
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• 2017

Vascular compromise is a well-known consequence of brain herniation syndromes. Transtentorial brain herniation most often involves posterior cerebral arteries. However, isolated involvement of contralateral superior cerebellar artery (SCA) during unilateral impending brain herniation is reported only once and we present another case of this exceedingly rare entity. A 24-year-old man was referred to us with impending herniation due to a multiloculated hydrocephalus, and during the course of illness, he developed an isolated SCA ischemia in the opposite side of the most dilated entrapped horn. In the current article we discuss the probable pathophysiologic mechanisms of this phenomenon, as well as recommending more inclusive brain studies in cases suspected of Kernohan-Woltman notch phenomenon in unilateral brain herniation. The rationale for this commentary is that contralateral SCA transient ischemia or infarct might be the underdiagnosed underlying pathomechanism of ipsilateral hemiparesis occurring in many cases of this somehow vague phenomenon.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.257-260
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• 2014

The etiologies of intracranial artery dissection are various, the exogenous as well as inherited connective tissue disorders. We report on a patient who presented with diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage who had been suffered from essential thrombocythemia. He was diagnosed to multiple dissecting aneurysms of left superior cerebellar artery, left posterior inferior cerebellar artery and right pericallosal artery and treated with endovascular coil embolization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.184-188
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• 2022

Persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) represent an unusual remnant of the fetal carotid-basilar anastomosis. Persistent trigeminal artery variant (PTAV) is a rare anastomosis between the internal carotid artery and cerebellar artery, without an interposing basilar artery segment. We report the case of 49-year-old female with an incidentally discovered, rare variation of PTA that directly terminated in the ipsilateral superior cerebellar artery. The variation was observed on CT angiography, digital subtraction angiography, and MR angiography. Additionally, we reviewed the embryogenesis of PTA and PTAV and discussed the clinical implications of this variation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.446-449
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• 2007

Objective : Persistent trigeminal artery variant (PTAV) is an anastomosis between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cerebellar artery without any interposing basilar artery segment. We discuss its probable embryological origin and emphasize clinical implications. Methods : Retrospectively 1250 conventional cerebral angiograms and 2947 cranial magnetic resonance angiographies (MRAs) were evaluated for the patients with PTAV. Results : Five patients (four men and one woman, 23 to 76 years of age, median age 65 years) had a PTAV. Three patients who underwent MRA had a PTAV (3/2947=0.1%). Four of the patients who underwent cerebral angiography had a PTAV (4/1250=0.32%). Two of 143 patients who underwent both conventional angiography and cranial MRA showed PTAV. The PTAV was an incidental finding in all five patients. The PTAV originated from the cavernous segment of the left ICA in four patients and from the cavernous segment of the right ICA in one patient. The terminal branch of the PTAV was the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and superior cerebellar artery (SCA) in two patients and the AICA only in the other three patients. Conclusion : Neurosurgeons should be aware of possible presence of PTAV. Manipulation of this vessel during a surgical approach to the parasellar region and percutaneous gasserian ganglion procedure may result in hemorrhage or ischemia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2009

Objective : The aim of study was to review our patient population to determine whether there is a critical aneurysm size at which the incidence of rupture increases and whether there is a correlation between aneurysm size and location. Methods : We reviewed charts and radiological findings (computed tomography (CT) scans, angiograms, CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography) for all patients operated on for intracranial aneurysms in our hospital between September 2002 and May 2004. Of the 336 aneurysms that were reviewed, measurements were obtained from angiograms for 239 ruptured aneurysms by a neuroradiologist at the time of diagnosis in our hospital. Results : There were 115 male and 221 female patients assessed in this study. The locations of aneurysms were the middle cerebral artery (MCA, 61), anterior communicating artery (ACoA, 66), posterior communicating artery (PCoA, 52), the top of the basilar artery (15), internal carotid artery (ICA) including the cavernous portion (13), anterior choroidal artery (AChA, 7), A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (3), A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (11), posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA, 8), superior cerebellar artery (SCA, 2), P2 segment of the posterior cerebral artery (1), and the vertebral artery (2). The mean diameter of aneurysms was $5.47{\pm}2.536\;mm$ in anterior cerebral artery (ACA), $6.84{\pm}3.941\;mm$ in ICA, $7.09{\pm}3.652\;mm$ in MCA and $6.21{\pm}3.697\;mm$ in vertebrobasilar artery. The ACA aneurysms were smaller than the MCA aneurysms. Aneurysms less than 6 mm in diameter included 37 (60.65%) in patients with aneurysms in the MCA, 43 (65.15%) in patients with aneurysms in the ACoA and 29 (55.76%) in patients with aneurysms in the PCoA. Conclusion : Ruptured aneurysms in the ACA were smaller than those in the MCA. The most prevalent aneurysm size was 3-6 mm in the MCA (55.73%), 3-6 mm in the ACoA (57.57%) and 4-6 mm in the PCoA (42.30%). The more prevalent size of the aneurysm to treat may differ in accordance with the location of the aneurysm.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.202-207
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• 2021

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe, paroxysmal pain in the distribution of the fifth cranial nerve. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the most widely used surgical treatment for TN. We undertook this study to analyze the effects of and complications of MVD and to refine the surgical procedure for treating TN. Methods: A total of 88 patients underwent for TN underwent surgery at our hospital. Among them, 77 patients underwent MVD alone, and 11 underwent partial sensory rhizotomy (PSR) with or without MVD. The medical records of these patients were retrospectively analyzed for patient characteristics, clinical results, offending vessels, and complications if any. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 43.2 months (range, 3-216 months). The most common site of pain was V2+V3 territory (n=27), followed by V2 (n=25) and V3 (n=23). The most common offending vessels were the superior cerebellar artery and anterior inferior cerebellar artery in that order. The overall rate of postoperative complications was 46.1%; however, most complications were transient. There were two cases of permanent partial hearing disturbance. In the MVD alone group, the cure rate was 67.5%, and the improvement rate was 26.0%. Among 11 patients who underwent PSR with or without MVD, the cure rate was 50.0%, and the improvement rate was 30.0%. Conclusion: The clinical results of MVD were satisfactory. Although the outcomes of PSR were not as favorable as those of pure MVD in this study, PSR can be considered in cases where there is no significant vascular compressive lesion or uncertainty of the causative vessel at the surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.329-333
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• 2011

Objective : As medical advances have increased life expectancy, it has become imperative to develop specific treatment strategies for intracranial aneurysms in the elderly. We therefore analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients older than 70 years. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and results of neuroimaging modalities on 54 aneurysms of 48 consecutive patients with un ruptured intracranial aneurysms. ($mean{\pm}SD$ age, $72.11{\pm}1.96$ years; range, 70-78 years) who underwent surgical clipping over 10 years (May 1999 to June 2010). Results : Of the 54 aneurysms, 22 were located in the internal carotid artery, 19 in the middle cerebral artery, 12 in the anterior cerebral artery, and 1 in the superior cerebellar artery. Six patients had multiple aneurysms. Aneurysm size ranged from 3 mm to 17 mm ($mean{\pm}SD$, $6.82{\pm}3.07$ mm). Fifty of the 54 aneurysms (92.6%) were completely clipped. Three-month outcomes were excellent in 50 (92.6%) aneurysms and good and poor in 2 each (3.7%), with 1 death (2.0%). Procedure-related complications occurred in 7 aneurysms (13.0%), with 2 (3.7%) resulting in permanent neurological deficits, including death. No postoperative subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred during follow-up. The cumulative rates of stroke- or death-free survival at 5 and 10 years were 100% and 78%, respectively. Conclusion : Surgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in elderly group could get it as a favorable outcome in well selected cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.357-363
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• 2005

Objective: The microvascular decompression(MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia(TN) is known as an effective surgical technique. But the failed MVD cases have been reported in long term follow-up studies. This study is to evaluate the efficacy of MVD through our operative techniques, offending vessels in operative field, failed cases with the review of the literatures. Methods: We analyzed total 63 cases of TN which underwent MVD from 1955 to 2003 according to characters of pain, operative findings, operative results related to causative vessel compression and operative method, progonotic factor. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test with SPSS Ver 11.0. Results: In TN, the most common offending vessel was superior cerebellar artery(45.0%). In compression group of nerve root by offending vessel, the cure rate was 91.7%. However, the cure rate of the contact group was 64.7% and the cure rate of the negative group was 37.5%. There was no statistical significance between the degree of compression by vessel and the operative result(p=0.076). In 51 cases with MVD only, the cure rate was 84.3% and in 3 cases with PSR only, 42.8% and in 2 cases with PSR(partial sensory rhizotomy) with MVD, 50.0%. TN recurred in 7 cases within the follow-up period and reoperations(PSR) were added in 2 cases of them. Conclusion: This study shows that MVD provided a high rate of success with a minor risk of complications, which has been regarded as the most safe and effective procedure for trigeminal neuralgia. Additional MVD in recurred TN by severe adhesion of teflon showed poor outcome. But, revisional operation(PSR) in recurred TN showed relatively good outcome. PSR should be considered for treatment of recurrent TN after MVD.