• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.275-280
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• 2008

Objective : In order to assess the incidence of thromboembolic events and their clinical presentations, the present study prospectively examined routine brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) taken within 48 hours after a coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms. Methods : From January 2006 to January 2008, 163 cases of coil embolization of cerebral aneurysm were performed along with routine brain MRI, including diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (DW-MR) imaging, within 48 hours after the embolization of the aneurysm to detect the silent thromboembolic events regardless of any neurological changes. If any neurological changes were observed, an immediate brain MRI follow-up was performed. High-signal-intensity lesions in the DW-MR images were considered as acute thromboembolic events and the number and locations of the lesions were also recorded. Results : Among the 163 coil embolization cases, 98(60.1%) showed high-signal intensities in the DW-MR imaging follow-up, 66 cases (67.0%) involved the eloquent area and only 6cases (6.0%) showed focal neurological symptoms correlated to the DW-MR findings. The incidence of DW-MR lesions was higher in older patients (${\geq}60$ yrs) when compared to younger patients (<60 yrs) (p=0.002, odd's ratio=1.043). The older patients also showed a higher incidence of abnormal DW-MR signals in aneurysm-unrelated lesions (p=0.0003, odd's ratio=5.078). Conclusion : The incidence of symptomatic thromboembolic attacks after coil embolization of the cerebral aneurysm was found to be lower than that reported in previous studies. While DW-MR imaging revealed a higher number of thromboembolic events, most of these were clinically silent and transient and showed favorable clinical outcomes. However, the incidence of DW-MR abnormalities was higher in older patients, along with unpredictable thromboembolic events on DW-MR images. Thus, in order to provide adequate and timely treatment and to minimize neurological sequelae, a routine DW-MR follow-up after coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms might be helpful, especially in older patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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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.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.266-271
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• 2015

Reports on a posttraumatic isolated superior mesenteric artery (SMA) dissection are rare. Recently, endovascular stent placement via percutaneous access, instead of vascular surgery, has been widely accepted as the initial treatment for a patient with an isolated SMA dissection or its complications. A 60-year-old female patient was transferred to our hospital due to an isolated SMA dissection after a car accident. The SMA dissection was 8.5 cm in length, and it involved the true lumen, which was severely compressed by the thrombosed false lumen. The patient was closely observed because she did not complain of any specific visceral pain. On the seventh hospital day, she underwent computed tomography (CT) to decide on a further treatment plan, irrespective of the presence of the abdominal symptom. The findings of the follow-up CT showed no difference compared to those of the previous CT. She was discharged with anti-coagulants. One month later, the follow-up CT revealed focally progressing dissecting aneurysms in the false lumen of the dissected SMA and a more severely compressed true lumen. Two self-expandable metallic stents were successfully placed in the true lumen of the dissected SMA, covering two aneurysmal lesions. Herein, we report a successful endovascular treatment with stent placement for treating focally progressing dissecting aneurysms and a severely compressed true lumen in a patient with a posttraumatic isolated SMA dissection.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 2006

Objective : This study is aimed to assess the clinical outcome in early and minimally invasive surgery using incision for the patients with poor grade aneurysm. Methods : The authors retrospectively reviewed all 46 poor grade patients of Hunt and Hess[H-H] grade IV and V who suffered aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage[SAH] between 1999 and 2004. All 35 patients harboring 43 aneurysms who underwent early surgery within 72 hours were included in this study. Clinical outcome was assessed by Glasgow outcome scale[GOS] and compared with that of conventional pterional approach. Results : Twenty four patients were operated with conventional pterional approach and 11 with eyebrow approach within 72 hours after SAH. Seven multiple aneurysm patients harbor 15 aneurysms, Forty one aneurysms were treated with clippings. All 11 patients of eyebrow surgery group[ESG] were in H-H grade IV, 3 in Fisher grade III and 8 in Fisher grade IV. Among 24 patients of pterional approach group[PAG]. 20 were in H-H grade IV and 4 in H-H grade V, 3 were in Fisher grade III and 21 in Fisher grade IV. Overall favorable outcome was achieved in 41.7% and 54.5% in PAG and ESG, respectively. Favorable outcome of H-H grade IV in PAG showed 45.0%. Overall mortality rate was 14.3%. Conclusion : It is concluded that the clinical outcome of early and minimally invasive aneurysmal surgery using eyebrow incision in the selected poor grade aneurysm patients can be compatible with that of conventional pterional surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.262-268
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• 2017

Objective : Stents are widely used in coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms, but on occasion, a microcatheter must traverse a stented segment of artery (so-called trans-cell technique) to select an aneurysm, or double stenting may necessary. In such situations, microguidewire passage and microcatheter delivery through a tortuous stented parent artery may pose a technical challenge. Described herein is a microguidewire looping technique to facilitate endovascular navigation in these circumstances. Methods : To apply this technique, the microguidewire tip is looped before entering the stented parent artery and then advanced distally past the stented segment, with the loop intact. Rounding of the tip prevents interference from stent struts during passage. A microcatheter is subsequently passed into the stented artery for positioning near the neck of aneurysm, with microguidewire assistance. The aneurysm is then selected, steering the microcatheter tip (via inner microguidewire) into the dome. Results : This technique proved successful during coil embolization of nine saccular intracranial aneurysms (internal carotid artery [ICA], 6; middle cerebral artery, 2; basilar tip, 1), performing eight trans-cell deliveries and one additional stenting. Selective endovascular embolization was enabled in all patients, resulting in excellent clinical and radiologic outcomes, with no morbidity or mortality directly attributable to microguidewire looping. Conclusion : Microguidewire looping is a reasonable alternative if passage through a stented artery is not feasible by traditional means, especially at paraclinoid ICA sites.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2013

Objective : Surgical results for anterior choroidal artery (AChA) aneurysms have previously been reported as unsatisfactory due to inadvertent occlusion of the AChA, while the low incidence of AChA aneurysms hampers the accumulation of surgical experience. The authors reviewed their related surgical experience to document the ischemic complications and surgical outcomes. Methods : Identification of the AChA at its origin by rigorous visual scrutiny, careful microdissection, and meticulous clip placement to avoid the AChA origin are all crucial surgical maneuvers. A retrospective review of a surgical series of 62 consecutive cases of an AChA aneurysm between 2004 and 2012 was performed. Results : All patients, except for five (8.1%) with a small residual neck, showed complete aneurysm obliteration in postoperative angiographic evaluations. There was no incidence of procedure-related permanent AChA syndrome or oculomotor nerve palsy, while three (4.8%) patients suffered from transient AChA syndrome. The clinical outcomes [the 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS)] of the patients were related to their preoperative World Federation of Neurologic Surgeons (WFNS) grade. As regards the 3-month mRS, significant differences were found between patients with an unruptured aneurysm (WFNS grade 0; n=20), good-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (WFNS grade 1-3; n=30), and poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (WFNS grade 4-5; n=4). Conclusion : In surgical treatment of AChA aneurysms, a risk of AChA insufficiency can be minimized by taking every precaution to preserve the AChA patency and intraoperative monitoring. In addition, the surgical outcome is primarily determined by the preoperative clinical state.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.106-109
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• 2008

Multiple coronary aneurysms are rare in adults. The cause may be atherosclerosis, congenital malformations, post-traumatic or post-syphilitic vascular lesions, connective tissue diseases like Marfan and Ehler-Danlos syndromes or Kawasaki disease, all of which cause weakening of the media. Surgical intervention is indicated to prevent rupture, embolization or compression symptoms. The successful management of multiple coronary artery. aneurysms, associated with previous rupture and arrhythmia, originating from proximal potions of ramus intermedius and left circumflex artery are reported.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2001

Objective : Intraoperative rupture of an intracranial aneurysm can interrupt a microsurgical procedure and jeopardize the patient's chance to favorable outcome. The purpose of this study was to analyse and evaluate intraoperative aneurysmal rupture and render ideal prevention and management to intraoperative rupture. Patients and Methods : The authors retrospectively analysed the results of 609 patients who underwent cerebral aneurysm surgery from January 1991 to December 2000. Results : 1) Intraoperative aneurysmal rupture occurred in 73 of 609 consecutive aneurysm surgery, so the incidence was about 12.0% and it was relatively lower than other reports. 2) Aneurysms arising from anterior communicating artery appeared more prone to intraoperative rupture. 3) The size of aneurysm and timing of operation didn't influence intraoperative aneurysmal rupture and temporary clipping didn't reduce the incidence of intraoperative aneurysmal rupture. 4) Intraoperative aneurysmal rupture occured during three specific periods : (1) dissection stage in 61%, (2) clip application stage in 29 %, (3) predissection stage in 10%. 5) In the patients with intraoperative aneurysmal rupture, surgical outcome was relatively good and there was no significant difference in outcome compared with unruptured group. Conclusion : Our suggestion for prevention methods of intraoperative aneurysmal rupture are as follows : 1) minimal brain retraction, 2) sharp and careful aneurysmal neck dissection, 3) gentle clipping with proper clip selection etc. Management methods after intraoperative aneurysmal rupture are as follows : 1) strong aspiration of bleeding point, 2) rapid application of temporary and/or tentative clip, 3) following rapid dissection of neck and proper clip application, 4) use of encircling clip etc.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.329-335
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• 2005

Objective: Acute spontaneous subdural hematoma(SDH) secondary to a ruptured intracranial aneurysm is a rare event. The authors present nine cases with aneurysmal SDH. Methods: We analyzed nine cases of aneurysmal SDH from 337 patients who underwent treatment for a ruptured aneurysm between January 1998 and May 2004. Clinical and radiological characteristics and postoperative course were evaluated by reviewing medical records, surgical charts and intraoperative videos. Results: The nine patients comprised four males and five females with a mean age of 53years (range 15-67years). The World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grades on admission were I in one patient, II in two patients, III in five patients and V in one patient. With respect to location, there were four internal carotid-posterior communicating artery(ICA-Pcom) aneurysms, one distal anterior cerebral artery(DACA) aneurysm, one anterior communicating artery and three middle cerebral artery aneurysms. CT scans obtained from the four patients with ICA-Pcom aneurysms revealed SDH over the convexity and along the tentorium, and two of these patients presented with pure SDH without subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). In three patients with ICA-Pcom aneurysm, the ruptured aneurysm domes adhered to the petroclinoid fold. In the patient with the DACA aneurysm, the domes adhered tightiy to the pia mater and the falx. Conclusion: Ruptured intracranial aneurysm may cause SDH with or without SAH. In the absence of trauma, the possibility of aneurysmal SDH should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2008

Objective: Delayed ischemic deficit or cerebral infarction is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The purpose of this study is to reassess the prognostic impact of intraoperative elements, including factors related to surgery and anesthesia, on the development of cerebral infarction in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms. Methods: Variables related to surgery and anesthesia as well as predetermined factors were all evaluated via a retrospective study on 398 consecutive patients who underwent early microsurgery for ruptured cerebral aneurysms in the last 7 years. Patients were dichotomized as following; good clinical grade (Hunt-Hess grade I to III) and poor clinical grade (IV and V). The end-point events were cerebral infarctions and the clinical outcomes were measured at postoperative 6 months. Results: The occurrence of cerebral infarction was eminent when there was an intraoperative rupture, prolonged temporary clipping and retraction time, intraoperative hypotension, or decreased $O_2$ saturation, but there was no statistical significance between the two different clinical groups. Besides the Fisher Grade, multiple logistic regression analyses showed that temporary clipping time, hypotension, and low $O_2$ saturation had odds ratios of 1.574, 3.016, and 1.528, respectively. Cerebral infarction and outcome had a meaningful correlation (${\gamma}$=0.147, p=0.038). Conclusion: This study results indicate that early surgery for poor grade SAH patients carries a significant risk of ongoing ischemic complication due to the brain's vulnerability or accompanying cardio-pulmonary dysfunction. Thus, these patients should be approached very cautiously to overcome any anticipated intraoperative threat by concerted efforts with neuro-anesthesiologist in point to point manner.