• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제58권2호
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• pp.159-162
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• 2015

Neurological deficits after brain surgery are not uncommon, and correct and prompt differential diagnosis is essential to initiate appropriate treatment. We describe a patient suffering from loss of consciousness due to hyperammonemia, following valproic acid treatment after surgery for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. A 57-year-old female patient underwent successful aneurysmal neck clipping to correct an unruptured aneurysm. Her postoperative course was good, and she received anti-epileptic therapy (valproic acid) and a soft diet. Within a few days the patient experienced mental deterioration. Her serum valproic acid reached toxic levels (149.40 mg/L), and serum ammonia was fifteen times the upper normal limit (553 mmol/L; normal range, 9-33 mmol/L). After discontinuation of valproic acid and with conservative treatment, the patient recovered without any complications. Valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy is an unusual but serious neurosurgical complication, and should not be disregarded as a possible cause of neurological deficits after neurovascular surgery. Early diagnosis is crucial, as discontinuation of valproic acid therapy can prevent serious complications, including death.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제67권1호
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• pp.42-49
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• 2024

Objective : There is still controversy regarding whether neck remodeling stent affects the occurrence of silent embolic infarction (SEI) after aneurysm coiling. Thus, the aim of the present study is to investigate the incidence of SEI after stent-assisted coiling (SAC) using Neuroform Atlas Stent (NAS) and possible risk factors. This study also includes a comparison with simple coiling group during the same period to estimate the impact of NAS on the occurrence of SEI. Methods : This study included a total of 96 unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 96 patients treated with SAC using NAS. Correlations of demographic data, aneurysm characteristics, and angiographic parameters with properties of SEI were analyzed. The incidence and characteristics of SEI were investigated in 28 patients who underwent simple coiling during the same period, and the results were compared with the SAC group. Results : In the diffusion-weighted imaging obtained on the 1st day after SAC, a total of 106 SEI lesions were observed in 48 (50%) of 96 patients. Of these 48 patients, 38 (79.2%) had 1-3 lesions. Of 106 lesions, 74 (69.8%) had a diameter less than 3 mm. SEI occurred more frequently in older patients (≥60 years, p=0.013). The volume of SEI was found to be significantly increased in older age (≥60 years, p=0.032), hypertension (p=0.036), and aneurysm size ≥5 mm (p=0.047). The incidence and mean volume of SEI in the SAC group (n=96) were similar to those of the simple coiling group (n=28) during the same period. Conclusion : SEIs are common after NAS-assisted coiling. Their incidence in SAC was comparable to that in simple coiling. They occurred more frequently at an older age. Therefore, the use of NAS in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysm does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events if antiplatelet premedication has been performed well.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.334-337
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• 2012

Objective : The lateral supraorbital (LSO) approach is a modified method of the classic pterional approach and it has advantages of short skin incision and small craniotomy compared with the pterional approach. This study was designed to compare the two approaches in the surgical treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 122 patients with 137 unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated by clipping, from July 2009 to April 2011. Between August 2010 and April 2011, 61 patients were treated by clipping via the lateral supraorbital approach and the same number of patients treated by clipping via the pterional approach were retrospectively enrolled. We analyzed the two groups and compared demographic, radiologic and clinical variables. Results : The mean age of patients in the two groups was 54.6 years (LSO group) and 55.7 years (Pterion group). The mean duration of hospitalization was shorter in the LSO group than in the Pterion group (7.9 days vs. 9.0 days, p=0.125) and the mean operation time was also significantly shorter in the LSO group (117.1 minutes vs. 164.3 minutes, p<0.001). Furthermore, the mean craniotomy area was much smaller in the LSO group (1275.4 $mm^2$ vs. 2858.9 $mm^2$, p<0.001). The two groups showed similar distributions of aneurysm location and postoperative complications. Conclusion : The lateral supraorbital approach for the clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysm could be a good alternative to the classic pterional approach.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권1호
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• pp.39-50
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• 2021

Objective : The treatment of large aneurysms of the posterior circulation is complicated and remains challenging. We here analyzed our institutional clinical outcomes of large unruptured aneurysms of the posterior circulation. Methods : This study included 56 patients who presented with a large (>10 mm) unruptured aneurysm of the posterior circulation between 2002 and 2018. Results : There were 18 (32.1%) male and 38 (67.9%) female patients, with a mean age of 53.4 years. The most common location was the vertebral artery, followed by the basilar tip and posterior cerebral artery. The median follow-up duration was 29 months. Eighteen patients (32.1%) were treated by transcranial surgery and 38 (67.9%) were treated by endovascular treatment (EVT). Post-treatment complications occurred in 16 patients (28.6%), with there being no significant difference between the transcranial surgery and EVT groups. Complete obliteration was achieved in 30 patients (53.6%), with there being no statistically significant difference between the transcranial surgery and EVT groups. Recurrence occurred in 17 patients (30.4%), and the rate of recurrence was higher in the EVT group than in the transcranial surgery group (39.5% vs. 11.1%, p=0.03). Forty-four (84%) of 56 patients showed a favorable functional outcome. In saccular aneurysm, EVT was negative predictor of worsening of functional status. Conclusion : Treatment of these aneurysms harbors an inherent high risk of morbidity. No superiority was found between transcranial surgery and EVT in terms of complications and complete obliteration, but transcranial surgery showed a higher treatment durability than EVT.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제65권4호
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• pp.531-538
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• 2022

Objective : Anterior communicating artery (Acom) aneurysm is one of the most common intracranial aneurysms, constituting approximately 30-35% of all aneurysm formation in the brain. Anatomically, the H-complex (the anatomic morphology of both A1 to A2 segments) is thought to affects the nature of the Acom aneurysm due to its close relationship with the hemodynamics of the vessel. Therefore, we investigated the relative risk factors of aneurysmal rupture, especially focusing on H-complex morphology of the Acom. Methods : From January 2016 to December 2020, a total of 209 patients who underwent surgery, including clipping and coiling for Acom aneurysm in our institution were reviewed. There were 102 cases of ruptured aneurysm and 107 cases of unruptured aneurysm. The baseline morphology of aneurysms was investigated and the relationship between the H-complex and the clinical characteristics of patients with Acom aneurysms was assessed. Results : Of the 209 patients, 109 patients (52.1%) had symmetrical A1, 79 patients (37.8%) had unilateral hypoplastic A1, and 21 patients (10.0%) had aplastic A1. The hypoplastic A1 group and the aplastic A1 group were grouped together as unilateral dominancy of A1, and were compared with the symmetrical A1 group. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics and radiological findings of Acom aneurysms between two groups. However, when dichotomizing the patients into ruptured cases and unruptured cases, unilateral dominance of the A1 segment was associated with aneurysmal rupture with statistical significance (p=0.011). Conclusion : These results suggest that the unilateral dominance of the A1 segment does not have a significant effect on the morphology of Acom aneurysms, but contributes to aneurysmal rupture. Thus, we can better understand the effects of hemodynamics on Acom aneurysm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.426-429
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• 2000

뇌 지주막하출혈에서 흔치않은 임상양상인 양측성 외전신경마비와 두통을 주소로 내원한 46세 여자환자에서 혈관조영술을 시행하여 좌측 후교통동맥 동맥류, 전맥락동맥 동맥류, 그리고 우측 후교통동맥 동맥류등 다발성 뇌동맥류가 발견되어 수술시행 하였다. 양측성 외전신경마비 이외에 시력 및 시야장애는 보이지 않았다. 수술시 상당한 뇌압증가의 양상을 보였고, 좌측 후교통동맥 동맥류 출혈흔적과 기저조에 소량의 혈종이 있었으며, 첫번의 좌측 수술 후 2주 정도에 안구운동장애가 서서히 회복되어 정상화되었다. 저자들은 뇌동맥류 출혈에서 드물게 보는 양측성 외전신경마비 환자를 경험하였기에 문헌고찰과 함께 증례보고 한다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권5호
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• pp.504-510
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• 2017

Objective : To investigate the morphological and hemodynamic parameters associated with middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysm rupture. Methods : A retrospective study of 67 consecutive patients was carried out based on 3D digital subtraction angiography data. Morphological and hemodynamic parameters including aneurysm size parameters (dome width, height, and perpendicular height), longest dimension from the aneurysm neck to the dome tip, neck width, aneurysm area, aspect ratio, Longest dimension from the aneurysm neck to the dome tip (Dmax) to dome width, and height-width, Bottleneck factor, as well as wall shear stress (WSS), low WSS area (LSA), percentage of LSA (LSA%) and energy loss (EL) were estimated. Parameters between ruptured and un-ruptured groups were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristics were generated to check prediction performance of all significant variables. Results : Sixty-seven patients with MCA bifurcation aneurysm were included (31 unruptured, 36 ruptured). Dmax (p=0.008) was greater in ruptured group than that in un-ruptured group. D/W (p<0.001) and the percentage of the low WSS area ($0.09{\pm}0.13$ vs. $0.01{\pm}0.03$, p<0.001) were also greater in the ruptured group. Moreover, the EL in ruptured group was higher than that in unruptured group ($6.39{\pm}5.04$ vs. $1.53{\pm}0.86$, p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis suggested D/W and EL were significant predictors of rupture of MCA bifurcation aneurysms. Correlation analyses revealed the D/W value was positively associated with the EL (R=0.442, p<0.01). Conclusion : D/W and EL might be the most two favorable factors to predict rupture risk of MCA bifurcation aneurysms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.85-89
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• 2009

Objective : The International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (ISUIA) reported that the 5-year cumulative rupture rate of small unruptured aneurysms less than 7 mm in diameter is very low depending on the aneurysm's location. However, we have seen a large number of ruptured aneurysms less than 7 mm in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to review our experience and to measure the size and location at which aneurysms ruptured in our patient population. Methods : We reviewed the characteristics of aneurysms, such as size and location, from the original angiograms of patients who were admitted to our hospital between January 2004 and December 2007. All aneurysms were treated surgically or through endovascular procedures. Results : Interventional or surgical treatment was given to a total of 889 patients, including 568 females and 321 males. At the time of our study, 627 cases were ruptured aneurysms and 262 cases were unruptured aneurysms. Of the ruptured cases, the mean diameter of the aneurysm was 6.28 mm. We found that 71.8% of ruptured aneurysms were smaller than 7 mm in diameter, and 87.9%, were smaller than 10 mm. Based on location, the data show that anterior communicating artery aneurysms most often presented with rupture sizes less than 7 mm (76.8%) and 10 mm (92.1%) in diameter. Most ruptured aneurysms were less than 7 mm in size, although recent studies have noted that small aneurysms are less likely to rupture. Conclusion : Although the natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms remains controversial, the aneurysm size and location play a signigicant role in determining the risk of rupture. Larger sample sizes and a long term study are needed to reveal the natural history and the rupture risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysms because the size of most ruptured aneurysms was less than 7 mm in diameter in our series.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제18권8호
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• pp.240-247
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• 2017

자기공명혈관영상(magnetic resonance angiography: MRA)을 이용한 뇌혈관검사가 증가하면서 비파열 동맥류의 발견이 많아졌다. 비파열 동맥류(unruptured intracranial aneurysm: UIA)의 병태생리 이해를 위해 비파열 동맥류의 분포와 관련요인을 아는 것이 도움이 될 것으로 생각한다. 환자군은 건강검진 시 MRA를 시행받은 사람을 대상으로 하였다. 비파열 동맥류의 발생과 위험요인(나이, 성별, 고혈압, 당뇨, 흡연, 음주력, 관상동맥질환)을 크기(3 mm이상 대 3 mm미만)와 다발성 동맥류(단일 대 다발성 동맥류)에 따라 비교하였다. 그리고 위치에 따른 비파열 동맥류 발생 빈도를 비교하였다. 2007년 1월부터 2016년 12월까지 건강검진 센터를 방문하여 건강검진을 받은 사람을 대상으로 하였다. 건강검진을 받은 187166명의 사람 중 18954명이 MRA를 찍었으며, 이 중 367명(1.93%)이 비파열 동맥류를 보였다. 3 mm이상과 3 mm미만의 동맥류를 비교하였을 때 3 mm이상의 동맥류 환자군에서 평균 나이가 유의하게 높았다(3 mm이상 $57.16{\pm}8.47$ 대 3 mm미만 $55.12{\pm}8.19$; p=0.07). 고밀도 지질단백질(high-density lipoprotein)은 3 mm이상의 동맥류 환자군에서 유의하게 높았다(3 mm 이상 $55.95{\pm}16.03$ 대 3 mm미만 $50.85{\pm}13.65$; p=0.007). 고혈압은 다발성 동맥류 환자군에서 의미있게 높은 경향을 보였다(단일 동맥류 399명 중 153명(38.3%) 대 다발성 동맥류 35명 중 19명 (54.3%); p=0.065). 3mm미만의 동맥류는 내경동맥 말단부(34.3%)와 중대뇌동맥 분기부(16.4%)에서 호발하였다(p=0.003). 3 mm이상의 동맥류는 내경동맥 말단부(43.3%)와 중대뇌동맥 분기부(13.4%) 및 앞교통동맥(13.4%)에서 호발하였다(p=0.003). 동맥류는 크기 차이와 단일 혹은 다발성에 따라 서로 다른 위험요인과의 상관성을 보였으나, 두가지 위험요인 모두 혈관의 퇴행성 변화와 혈류역학적 장애가 동맥류 발생의 원인이 될 수 있다는 것을 보여준다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.99-102
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• 2006

Objective : To document surgical mortality and morbidity for the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, and to identify optimal treatment modalities, the authors reviewed and analyzed the surgical results. Methods : The authors reviewed 49 cases of unruptured intracranial aneurysm without a previous history of subarachnoid hemorrhage from March 1984 through December 2003. Unruptured intracranial aneurysms were categorized as asymptomatic and symptomatic, and operative results were assessed using the Karnofsky scale at 3 months postoperatively. Outcomes were defined as 'excellent' for a Karnofsky scale score of 100, 'good' for a score of $80{\sim}90$, 'fair' for $50{\sim}70$, 'poor' for $10{\sim}40$, or as 'death'. Excellent and good results were defined as a 'favorable' outcome and others as 'unfavorable' outcome. Results : Of the 49 study subjects, 45 had a favorable outcome and 4 an unfavorable outcome. Surgical mortality was 6.1% and surgical morbidity was 2.0% for all subjects. And the symptomatic group had more complications. Conclusion : There were no significant relationships between aneurysmal size, location, and preoperative symptoms with surgical results. And we believe that the reasons for morbidity and mortality are attributable to strokes, thus more attention should be paid to peri- and post-operative patients care with a focus on strokes prevention in the symptomatic group.