• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2008

Objective : The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and surgical outcome of the conus medullaris tumors. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients who underwent surgery for conus medullaris tumor from August 1986 to July 2007. We analyzed clinical manifestation, preoperative MRI findings, extent of surgical resection, histopathologic type, adjuvant therapy, and outcomes. Results : There were ependymoma (13), hemangioblastoma (3), lipoma (3), astrocytoma (3), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) (2), mature teratoma (1), and capillary hemangioma (1) on histopathologic type. Leg pain was the most common symptom and was seen in 80.8% of patients. Pain or sensory change in the saddle area was seen in 50% of patients and 2 patients had severe pain in the perineum and genitalia. Gross total or complete tumor resection was obtained in 80.8% of patients. On surgical outcome. modified JOA score worsened in 26.9% of patients, improved in 34.6%, and remained stable in 38.5%. The mean VAS score was improved from 5.4 to 1.8 among 21 patients who had lower back pain and leg pain. Conclusion : The surgical outcome of conus medullaris tumor mainly depends on preoperative neurological condition and pathological type. The surgical treatment of conus medullaris tumor needs understanding the anatomical and functional characteristics of conus meudllaris tumor for better outcome.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.78-84
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether surgical resection of the primary tumor contributes to survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 288 patients with metastatic gastric cancer from the Akdeniz University, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, and the Meram University of Konya database were retrospectively analyzed. The effect of primary tumor resection on survival of patients with metastatic gastric cancer was investigated using the log-rank test. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Results: The median overall survival was 12.0 months (95% confidence intewrval [CI], 10.4~13.6 months) and 7.8 months (95% CI, 5.5~10.0 months) for patients with and without primary tumor resection, respectively (P<0.001). The median progression-free survival was 8.3 months (95% CI, 7.1~9.5 months) and 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.8~6.7 months) for patients with and without primary tumor resection, respectively (P=0.002). Conclusions: Non-curative gastrectomy in patients with metastatic gastric cancer might increase their survival rate regardless of the occurrence of life-threatening tumor-related complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.222-230
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• 2000

Purpose : Resection of the epileptogenic zone in the parietal and occipital lobes may be relevant although only few studies have been reported. Methods : Eight patients with parietal epilepsy and nine patients with occipital epilepsy were included for this study. Preoperatively, all had video-EEG monitoring with extracranial electrodes, MRI, 3D-surface rendering of MRI using Allegro(ISG Technologies Inc., Toronto, Canada), and PET scans. Sixteen patients underwent invasive recording with subdural grid. Eight had parietal resection including the sensory cortex in two. Seven had partial occipital resection. Two underwent total unilateral occipital lobectomy. The extent of the resection was made based mainly on the data of invasive EEG recordings, MRI, and 3D-surface rendering of MRI, not on the intraoperative electrocorticographic findings as usually done. During resection, electrocortical stimulation was performed on the motor cortex and speech area. Results : Out of eight patients with parietal epilepsy, three had sensory aura, two had gustatory aura, and two had visual aura. Six of nine patients with occipital epilepsy had visual auras. All had complex partial seizures with lateralizing signs in 15 patients. Four had quadrantopsia. One had mild right hemiparesis. Abnormality in MRI was noticed in six out of eight parietal epilepsy and in eight out of nine occipital epilepsy. 3D-surface rendering of MRI visualized volumetric abnormality with geometric spatial relationships adjacent to the normal brain, in all of parietal and occipital epilepsy. Surface EEG recording was not reliable in localizing the epileptogenic zone in any patient. The subdural grid electrodes can be implanted on the core of the structural abnormality in 3D-reconstructed brain. Ictal onset zone was localized accurately by subdural grid EEGs in 16 patients. Motor cortex in nine and sensory speech area in two were identified by electrocortical stimulation. Histopathologic findings revealed cortical dysplasia in 10 patients ; tuberous sclerosis was combined in two, hamartoma and ganglioglioma in one each, and subpial gliosis in six. Eleven patients were seizure free at follow-up of 6 months to 37 months(mean 19.7 months) after surgery. Seizures recurred in two and were unchanged in one. Six produced transient sensory loss and one developed hemiparesis and tactile agnosia. One revealed transient apraxia. Two patients with preoperative quadrantopsia developed homonymous hemianopsia. Conclusion : This study suggests that surgical treatment was relevant in parietal and occipital epilepsies with good surgical outcome, without significant neurologic sequelae. Neuroimaging studies including conventional MRI, 3Dsurface rendering of MRI were necessary in identifying the epileptogenic zone. In particular, 3D-surface rendering of MRI was very helpful in presuming the epileptogenic zone in patients with unidentifiable lesion in the conventional MRI, in planning surgical approach to lesions, and also in making a decision of the extent of the epileptogenic zone in patients with identifiable lesion in conventional MRI. Invasive EEG recording with the subdural grid electrodes helped to confirm a core of the epileptogenic zone which was revealed in 3D-surface rendered brain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.744-747
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• 2000

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of the epidermoid tumor of posterior fossa and to assess the surgical outcome. Methods : We reviewed the clinicoradiological records of 10 epidermoid tumor of posterior fossa, treated surgically at our hospital between 1991 and 1996. Results : The mean age of onset was 36 years old and mean duration of symptom was 5.2 years. Six were men and four were women. The location of tumors were cerebellopontine angle(CPA) 5 cases, cerebellum(Cbll)& 4th ventricle 3 cases, foramen magnum 1 case, and pineal region extended to Cbll and 4th ventricle 1 case. Common clinical features were trigeminal neuralgia in 3 cases, cerebellar signs 2 case, headache 2 cases, hemifacial spasm with deafness 1 case, cbll signs and multiple cranial nerve dysfunctions 1 case. One CPA epidermoid had no clinical symptom and sign associated with the tumor. The surgical approaches were suboccipital approach in 9 cases and one transcallosal approach to the tumor of pineal region. The extent of surgical removal was gross total resection in 5 cases and near total or subtotal resection in 5. Two patients with CPA tumor were complicated with facial paresis. One patient with tumor located in cerebellum extended into cisterna magna had postoperative vocal cord paresis. All complicated cases had severe adhesion of tumor capsule with brainstem or cranial nerve. The mean duration of follow up was 26 months. The overall outcome was improvement of symptoms and signs in 6 cases and stationary 4 cases. During follow up, imaging study was done in 7 patients and none of them had finding of tumor recurrence. Conclusion : We conclude that recurrence of tumor is rare in both total and subtotal resected cases, but long-term follow-up is required. Aggressive removal of tumor capsule that adhesed to brianstem or cranial nerve is avoided for preventing severe postoperative complication.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.102-106
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• 2010

Objective : To evaluate the clinical results of gross total resection in the surgical approach to spinal ependymoma. Methods : Between June 1995 and May 2009,13 males and 8 females (mean age 34) diagnosed with intramedullary or extramedullary spinal ependymoma were surgically treated at our centre. The neurological and functional state of each patient were evaluated according to the modified McCormick scale. Results : The average follow-up duration was 54 months (ranging from 12 to 168 months). The locations of the lesions were : thoracic region (4, 19%), lumbar region (7, 34%), cervical region (4, 19%), cervicothoracic region (3, 14%) and conus medullaris (3, 14%). Four patients (19%) had deterioration of neurological function in the early postoperative period. The neurological function of three patients was completely recovered at the 6th postoperative month, while that of another patient was recovered at the 14th month. In the last assessment of neurological function, 20 patients (95%) were assessed as McCormick grade 1. No perioperative complications developed in any of our patients. In one patient's 24-month assessment, tumour recurrence was observed. Re-operation was not performed and the patient was taken under observation. Conclusion : Two determinants of good clinical results after spinal ependymoma surgery are a gross total resection of the tumour and a good neurological condition before the operation. Although neurological deficits in the early postoperative period can develop as a result of gross total tumour resection, significant improvement is observed six months after the operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.473-482
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• 1987

The records of 65 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary lung cancer who underwent surgical therapy at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of the Keimyung University Hospital were analyzed during the period of 8 years and 4 months, from August, 1978 to December, 1986. The peak incidence was observed in the 5th decade of life and the mean age was 52.9 years old. Male versus female ratio was 8.3:1 Cough was the most frequent presenting symptom, 76.9% then chest discomfort, hemoptysis and dyspnea followed in order. 44.6% of the patient had 2 months of prediagnostic symptomatic period, 72.3% had 5 months, and the mean was 5.7 months. As for preoperative diagnosis, 62 of total 65 patients revealed the mass lesion on simple chest x-ray, and 56 of 65 patients on bronchoscopic biopsy, 10 of 37 patients on sputum cytology and 15 of 15 patients on computerized tomography of the chest were positive. Of the 65 patients, 35 [53.9%] had squamous cell carcinoma, 18 [27.7%] adenocarcinoma, 3 [4.6%] large cell carcinoma, and 3 [4.6%] small cell carcinoma all which was oat cell carcinoma. 83.1% of the total patient was resectable, and 34 underwent pneumonectomy and 20 lobectomy. Of these 65 operations, 29 was radical resection, 25 palliative, and 11 exploratory thoracotomy. As for clinical stagings, 23 patients were in Stage, I, another 23 in Stage II and 19 in Stage III, while 16 was in stage, I, 14 in stage ll and 35 in stage III in postoperative staging evaluation. In correlation of postoperative TNM classification and radical resection, those patients who had lung cancer of stage I [14/16] and stage II [9/13] had more radical resection. As postoperative complications, one patient had massive bleeding, two empyema, one empyema with bronchopulmonary fistula, and one cardiac herniation. Operative mortality rate was 1.5% [1 patient]. Mean duration between 1st operation and discovering recurrence in 18 patients was 12.7 months.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.114-122
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• 2019

Objective : Silent corticotroph adenomas (SCA) are endocrine-inactive pituitary adenomas with positive immunohistochemistry staining for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). We investigated whether SCA-associated clinical profiles were more aggressive than hormonally negative adenomas (HNA). Methods : Among 627 patients with pathologically proven endocrine-inactive pituitary adenomas between 2004 and 2013, positive immunohistochemistry revealed 55 SCAs and 411 HNAs. Surgical outcomes and radiological and endocrinological characteristics were compared. Results : Strong female predominance was observed in the SCA group (p<0.001). Cavernous sinus invasion was identified in 22 (40%) SCA patients and 72 (17.6%) HNA patients (p<0.001). There were no differences in ACTH or cortisol levels between the two groups. The incidence of preoperative hypopituitarism and postoperative hormonal outcome did not differ between two groups. Total resection was achieved in 35 patients (63.7%) with SCA and 332 patients (80.8%) with HNA (p=0.007). When tumors were completely removed, recurrence rates were not statistically different between two groups (p=0.60). When complete resection was not achieved, tumors regrew from these remnants in seven patients (35.0%) with SCA and 12 patients (15.2%) with HNA (p=0.05). Conclusion : Total surgical resection for SCA is often challenging as these tumors frequently invade a cavernous sinus. Early remnant tumor intervention is justified, because untreated residual pituitary tumors regrow when patients were followed up for a long time. Prophylactic radiotherapy is not warranted for completely resected SCAs as tumor recurrence is uncommon.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.210-219
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• 2022

Purpose: Completion total gastrectomy (CTG) for remnant gastric cancer (RGC) is a technically demanding procedure and associated with increased morbidity. The present study aimed to evaluate postoperative complications and their risk factors following surgery for RGC after initial partial gastrectomy due to gastric cancer excluding peptic ulcer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 107 patients who had previously undergone an initial gastric cancer surgery and subsequently underwent CTG for RGC between March 2002 and December 2020. The postoperative complications were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors for complications. Results: Postoperative complications occurred in 34.6% (37/107) of the patients. Intra-abdominal abscess was the most common complication. The significant risk factors for overall complications were multi-visceral resections, longer operation time, and high estimated blood loss in the univariate analysis. The independent risk factors were multi-visceral resection (odds ratio [OR], 2.832; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.094-7.333; P=0.032) and longer operation time (OR, 1.005; 95% CI, 1.001-1.011; P=0.036) in the multivariate analysis. Previous reconstruction type, minimally invasive approach, and current stage were not associated with the overall complications. Conclusions: Multi-visceral resection and long operation time were significant risk factors for the occurrence of complications following CTG rather than the RGC stage or surgical approach. When multi-visceral resection is required, a more meticulous surgical procedure is warranted to improve the postoperative complications during CTG for RGC after an initial gastric cancer surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.576-580
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• 1994

For 26 months since August 1991, 10 consecutive patients with congenital left ventricular outflow tract obstruction underwent corrective surgery in Pusan Paik Hospital. Their ages ranged from 2 to 18 years. There were 6 male and 4 female patients. According to stenotic site, obstruction were classified into supravalvular [n = 5], subvalvular [n = 4], valvular stenosis [n = 1]. We have performed patch enlargement of ascending aorta [n = 2], supravalvular membrane resection and patch enlargement of ascending aorta [n = 3], subvalvular membrane resection [n = 2], subvalvular membrane resection and left ventricular myectomy [n = 2] and aortic annuloplasty with Dacron patch and aortic valve replacement [n = 1]. Preoperative mean value of systolic pressure gradient were 85.0 $\pm$29.2mmHg[supravalvular], 70.0mmHg[valvular], 72.5 $\pm$ 22.5mmHg[subvalvular], and 78.5 $\pm$ 24.3mmHg[total]. Postoperative mean value of systolic pressure gradient were 31.0 $\pm$ 8.9mmHg[supravalvular], 0mmHg[valvular], 15.0 $\pm$ 10.8mmHg[subvalvular], and 21.5 $\pm$ 13.9mmHg[total]. Postoperative systolic pressure gradient was decreased significantly[p = 0.001]. Postoperative course and short-term follow up results were good except one case of transient heart failure.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2017

Background: Recently, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with laparoscopic sentinel lymph node dissection, named ESN or endoscopic full-thickness gastric resection with laparoscopic sentinel lymph node dissection, named Hybrid-natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) was suggested the possibility of minimally invasive treatment for patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) who were beyond the indication of ESD. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of ESN or Hybrid-NOTES. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients treated with these therapies from January 2009 to May 2013 in terms of short- and long-term outcomes. Each patient was diagnosed with EGC but was not included in ESD indications and had the high risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Results: A total of 42 patients with EGC treated by ESN or Hybrid-NOTES. Of the 21 patients who underwent ESN, a total of 4 patients underwent additional gastrectomy, 1 with LNM, 1 with surgical complication, and 2 with noncurative resection. Of the 21 patients who underwent Hybrid-NOTES, a total of 5 patients underwent additional surgery, 1 with LNM, 2 with surgical complication, and 2 with noncurative resection. Overall survival was 100% over a mean follow-up of 75 months, but 3 patients underwent ESD or gastrectomy with metachronous lesion. And 1 patient who had received ESN was found to have a metastatic lymph node and undergo palliative chemotherapy. Conclusion: ESN or Hybrid-NOTES showed favorable short-and long-term outcomes. These methods may be utilized as a bridge between ESD and gastrectomy in the case of EGC which is more likely to have LNM beyond the ESD indications.