• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.278-283
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• 2001

Objective : Massive cerebral infarction could be accompanied by severe brain swelling and death secondary to transtentorial herniation. Approximately 10% to 15% of middle cerebral artery infarctions are associated with this phenomenon. However, the effectiveness and timing of decompressive surgery are still controversial. In this study, we present our results on the effect of decompressive craniectomy in life threatening cerebral infarction. Method : We retrospectively analyzed 15 patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy for massive cerebral infarction from January 1997 to April 1999. Surgical indication was based on the clinical signs such as neurological deterioration, pupillary reflex, and radiological findings. Clinical outcome was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results : All 15 patients(five men, ten women ; mean age, 52.3 years ; right 11, left 4) were treated with wide craniectomy and duroplasty. The average time interval between onset of symptom and surgical decompression was 2.9 days. Clinical signs of uncal herniation(anisocoria, or fixed and dilated pupils) were presented in 13 of 15 patients. Mean Glasgow coma scale(GCS) was 12.4 points on admission, 8.1 points on preoperative state and 11.8 points postoperatively. Overall outcomes were favorable in 5 cases(Glasgow outcome scale : GOS I, II), unfavorable in 6 cases(Glasgow outcome scale : GOS III, IV) and dead in 4 cases. Conclusion : Early decompressive craniectomy before brain stem compression is considered as an effective lifesaving procedure for massive cerebral infarction unresponsive to aggressive medical therapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2005

Objective: The prolactinoma is the most common pituitary tumor and sometimes shows severe invasiveness to the adjacent cavernous sinus, especially in the male patient. The dopamine agonist can be used as an alternative treatment modality to surgery. But, the transsphenoidal or transcranial approach for tumor removal has been more preferred treatment option of neurosurgeons in invasive prolactinoma. Especially rapid decompression of mass effect and resolution of the neurologic deficit is demanded. The prospective study is done in order to identify the therapeutic efficacy of bromocriptine as an initial treatment option for the invasive prolactionomas. Methods: Twenty patients with invasive prolactinoma were studied. Preoperative neurological and endocrinological evaluations were done, and size and invasiveness of the tumor was estimated on MRI. Bromocriptine was administrated by increasing dose planning reaching maximum dose at 1 month of treatment, with close neurological and endocrinological monitoring. At 3months after treatment, MRI was taken and decision was made whether to continue bromocriptine or to have surgical intervention. Results: Thirteen patients showed excellent result with only bromocriptine treatment. These patients showed not only marked reduction of tumor volume and prolactin level, but also, improving clinical symptoms and other hormonal deficits. 13patients who had visual field defect and decreased visual acuity had all improved visual symptoms. But, the remaining 4patients required surgical treatment due to insufficient reduction of tumor size inspite of normalized prolactin level within 3months. Remaining 2patients had $20{\sim}30%$ of tumor size reduction, but prolactin level was not normalized. One patient required radiation therapy. Conclusion: Bromociptine can be used as initial treatment for the invasive prolactinomas with careful monitoring of the neurological and endocrinological status. It should be carefully followed up for tumor size reduction within 3 months after initiation of treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.335-341
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• 2010

Objective : Anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion (ACF) or laminoplasty may be associated with substantial number of complications for treating multilevel cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with significant cord compression. For more safe decompression and stabilization in multilevel cervical OPLL with prominent cord compression, we propose circumferential cervical surgery (selective ACF and laminoplasty) based on our favorable experience. Methods : Twelve patients with cervical myelopathy underwent circumferential cervical surgery and all patients showed multilevel OPLL with Signal change of the spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A retrospective review of clinical, radiological. and surgical data was conducted. Results : There were 9 men and 3 women with mean age of 56.7 years and a mean follow up period of 15.6 months. The average corpectomy level was 1.16 and laminoplasty level was 4.58. The average Japanese Orthopedic Association score for recovery was 5.1 points and good clinical results were obtained in 11 patients (92%) (p < 0.05). The average space available for the cord improved from 58.2% to 87.9% and the average Cobb's angle changed from 7.63 to 12.27 at 6 months after operation without failure of fusion (p < 0.05). Average operation time was 8.36 hours, with an estimated blood loss of 760 mL and duration of bed rest of 2.0 days. There were no incidences of significant surgical complications, including wound infection. Conclusion : Although the current study examined a small sample with relatively short-term follow-up periods, our study results demonstrate that circumferential cervical surgery is considered favorable for safety and effectiveness in multilevel OPLL with prominent cord compression.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2010

Objective : Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is described as a clinical syndrome characterized by sudden headache, vomiting, visual impairment, and meningismus caused by rapid enlargement of a pituitary adenoma, We retrospectively analyzed the clinical presentation and surgical outcome in PA presenting with cranial neuropathy. Methods : Twelve cases (33%) of PA were retrospectively reviewed among 359 patients diagnosed with pituitary adenoma, The study included 6 males and 6 females, Mean age of patients was 49,0 years, with a range of 16 to 74 years, Follow-up duration ranged from 3 to 20 months, with an average of 12 months, All patients were submitted to surgery, using the transsphenoidal approach (TSA). Results : Symptoms included abrupt headache (11/12), decreased visual acuity (12/12), visual field defect (11/12), and cranial nerve palsy of the third (5/12) and sixth (2/12) Mean height of the mass was 29.0 mm (range 15-46) Duration between the ictus and operation ranged from 1 to 15 days (mean 7.0) The symptom duration before operation and the recovery period of cranial neuropathy correlated significantly (p = 0.0286) TSA resulted in improvement of decreased visual acuity in 91.6%, visual field defect in 54.5%, and cranial neuropathy in 100% at 3 months after surgery. Conclusion : PA is a rare event, complicating 3.3% in our series, Even in blindness following pituitary apoplexy cases, improvement of cranial neuropathy is possible if adequate management is initiated in time, Surgical decompression must be considered as soon as possible in cases with severe visual impairment or cranial neuropathy.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2015

Purpose: Delayed, traumatic, intraparenchymal hemorrhage (DTIPH) is a well-known contributing factor to secondary brain damage that evokes severe brain edema and intracranial hypertension. Once it has occurred, it adversely affects the patient's outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis factors for DTIPH by comparing clinical, radiological and hematologic results between two groups of patients according to whether surgical treatment was given or not. Methods: The author investigated 26 patients who suffered DTIPH during the recent consecutive five-year period. The 26 patients were divided according to their having undergone either a decompressive craniectomy (n=20) or continuous conservative treatment (n=6). A retrospective investigation was done by reviewing their admission records and radiological findings. Results: This incidence of DTIPH was 6.6% among the total number of patients admitted with head injuries. The clinical outcome of DTIPH was favorable in 9 of the 26 patients (34.6%) whereas it was unfavorable in 17 patients (65.4%). The patients with coagulopathy had an unexceptionally high rate of mortality. Among the variables, whether the patient had undergone a decompressive craniectomy, the patient's preoperative clinical status, and the degree of midline shift had significant correlations with the ultimate outcome. Conclusion: In patients with DTIPH, proper evaluation of preoperative clinical grading and radiological findings can hamper deleterious secondary events because it can lead to a swift and proper decompressive craniectomy to reduce the intracranial pressure. Surgical decompression should be carefully selected, paying attention to the patient's accompanying injury and hematology results, especially thrombocytopenia, in order to improve the patient's neurologic outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.220-224
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• 2017

Objective : This study aimed to unravel the putative mechanism underlying the neurologic deficits contralateral to the side with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and to elucidate the treatment for this condition. Methods : From January 2009 to June 2015, 8 patients with LDH with predominantly contralateral neurologic deficits underwent surgical treatment on the side with LDH with or without decompressing the symptomatic side. A retrospective review of charts and radiological records of these 8 patients was performed. The putative mechanisms underlying the associated contralateral neurological deficits, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and the adequate surgical approach are discussed here. Results : MRI revealed a similar laterally skewed paramedian disc herniation, with the apex deviated from the symptomatic side rather than directly compressing the nerve root; this condition may generate a contralateral traction force. EMG revealed radiculopathies in both sides of 6 patients and in the herniated side of 2 patients. Based on EMG findings and the existence of suspicious lateral recess stenosis of the symptomatic side, 6 patients underwent bilateral decompression of nerve roots and 2 were subjected to a microscopic discectomy to treat the asymptomatic disc herniation. No specific conditions such as venous congestion, nerve root anomaly or epidural lipomatosis were observed, which may be considered the putative pathomechanism causing the contralateral neurological deficits. The symptoms resolved significantly after surgery. Conclusion : The traction force generated on the contralateral side and lateral recess stenosis, rather than direct compression, may cause the contralateral neurologic deficits observed in LDH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.730-737
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• 2020

Objective : Spinal degeneration is a progressive disease, worsening over time. Lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) is a major spinal disease in elderly patients. Surgical treatment is considered for medically intractable patients with LDD and reoperation after primary surgery is not uncommon. The surgical outcome is occasionally unpredictable because of comorbidities. In the present study, the relationship between comorbidities and the incidence of reoperation for LDD over time was determined. Methods : The claims data of the health insurance national database were used to identify a cohort of patients who underwent spinal surgery for LDD in 2009. The patients were followed up until 2016. Medical comorbidity was assessed according to the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Cox proportional hazard regression modeling was used to identify significant differences in sex, surgery, age, causative disease, and comorbidity. Results : The study cohort included 78241 patients; 10328 patients (13.2%) underwent reoperation during the observation period. The reoperation rate was statistically higher (p<0.01) in males, patients 55-74 years and 65-74 years of age, and patients with decompression or discectomy. Significant association was found between increasing reoperation rate and CCI score (p<0.01). Based on multivariate analysis of comorbidities, the significantly higher reoperation rates were observed in patients with peripheral vascular disease, pulmonary lung disease, peptic ulcer, diabetes, and diabetes complications (p<0.01). Conclusion : The study results indicate the reoperation rate for LDD is associated with patient comorbidities. The comorbidities identified in this study could be helpful in future LDD studies.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.186-195
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• 2022

Objective : To explore the histological feature of the cervical disc degeneration in patients with degenerative ossification (DO) and its potential mechanisms. Methods : A total of 96 surgical segments, from cervical disc degenerative disease patients with surgical treatment, were divided into ossification group (group O, n=46) and non-ossification group (group NO, n=50) based on preoperative radiological exams. Samples of disc tissues and osteophytes were harvested during the decompression operation. The hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson trichrome staining and Safranin O-fast green staining were used to compare the histological differences between the two groups. And the distribution and content of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 between the two groups were compared by a semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. Results : For all the disc tissues, the content of disc cells and collagen fibers decreased gradually from the outer annulus fibrosus (OAF) to the central nucleus pulposus (NP). Compared with group NO, the number of disc cells in group O increased significantly. But for proteoglycan in the inner annulus fibrosus (IAF) and NP, the content in group O decreased significantly. IHC analysis showed that TGF-β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 were detected in all tissues. For group O, the content of TGF-β1 in the OAF and NP was significantly higher than that in group NO. For p-Smad2 in IAF and p-Smad3 in OAF, the content in group O were significantly higher than group NO. Conclusion : Histologically, cervical disc degeneration in patients with DO is more severe than that without DO. Local higher content of TGF-β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 are involved in the disc degeneration with DO. Further studies with multi-approach analyses are needed to better understand the role of TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in the disc degeneration with DO.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1999

Surgical treatment was performed on the 39 cases out of 76 cases of entrapments of the thoracic outlet. The remaining 36 cases of entrapments were treated by conservatively. The operated cases were categorized as follows. They were 34 cases of scalenus anticus syndrome, 1 of cervical rib syndrome, 2 of costoclavicular syndrome, and 2 of hyperabduction syndrome. 1. Scalenus anticus syndrome : Anterior scalenotomy was performed by simple sectioning of the attachment to the first rib. 2. Cervical rib syndrome : Complete decompressive resection of cervical rib sometimes required both anterior and posterior approaches to avoid over-retraction of the brachial plexus. 3. Costoclavicular syndrome : Partial decompressive claviculectomy was undergone instead of conventional total claviculectomy. 4. Hyperabduction syndrome : The resection of coracoid process was performed as well as conventional tenotomy of pectoralis minor muscle to insure free up-and-down moving of neurovascular bundle at the time of hyperabduction. Every diagnostic maneuver was tested at the time of operation to observe whether or not neurovascular decompression including restoration of radial pulse was sufficient. Despite of the postoperative vascular restoration was inmediate, neurogenic symptoms were improved slowly. Because this entity is essentially chronic nerve injnry, its recovery needed a couple of months or several. Although improvement was slow, ultimate results were definite. Complication was not observed.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 1999

The results of the operative treatment of the Grade III acromioclavicular joint injury is defined by the durability of the reduced joint and free of exertional pain. Several surgical techniques have been applied to reduce and stabilize the joints effectively. Resection of clavicular lateral end and subacromial decompression also could be applied to prevent post-operative arthritic change. Biomechanical studies reveals the role of clavicular elevation and rotation to achieve more than 90 degrees of elevation. It also serves as a attachment site of deltoid and trapezius muscle. The stability and mobility of the both acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular joint are important to get full functional recovery. We modified the methods of coracoacromial ligament transfer described by Weaver-Dunn and by Shoji et a!. to pre­vent pullout of the transferred ligament and to get more improved functional results. Main technical point was harvesting full thickness bone block and fix it through the key-hole to reduce pull out angle.