• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.699-707
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• 2005

Vertebrobasilar insuffciency(VBI) is also refered to as vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack(V-B TIA). Vertebrobasilar insufficiency is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to complexity of the symptoms. Transcranial doppler(TCD) can be used to possible to record the blood flow velocities in the cerebral arteries through the intact cranium. Transcranial doppler and magnetic resonance angiography(MRA) are both noninvasive techniques that can be used in vertebrobasilar insufficiency, but transcranial doppler is more sensitive with respect to evaluating stenotic lesion of the arteries than magnetic resonance angiographv. Diagnostic values of transcranial doppler were assessed in patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency. A case of vertebrobasilar insufficiency is here reported. A 62-year-old man with dizzness, nausea and tremor because of vertebrobasilar insufficiency was admitted at Wonkwang Oriental Medicine Hospital. He was treated with the herbal medicine Chunmagudung-um and with acupunture. Results showed improvement of symptoms and favorable transcranial doppler readings. The process used in this successful treatment is here described.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2001

Object : To determine whether to use surgical or medical therapy in treatment of infectious intracranial aneurysms, we reviewed two recent cases of infectious intracranial aneurysms and others known previous reports of aforementioned cases. Hence, we attempted to compare the validity and effectiveness of surgical and medical treatment. Method : Recently, we treated two cases of ruptured infectious intracranial aneurysms. In former case, the aneurysm was located distal to the middle cerebral artery in a patient with mild mitral regurgitation of the heart. In latter case, the aneurysm was multiple with varying hemorrhage. The hemorrhage was located bilaterally and a moderate mitral regurgitation and infective endocarditis were accompanied in this patient. Result : Due to the large size of the intracranial hematoma, stable medical condition, and easy resectability, we treated the former patient surgically. And, because of successive hemorrhage by multiple aneurysmal rupture, and the risk of heart failure, we treated the latter patient medically with serial follow-up angiography. Both patients are at present in good health. Conclusion : Because of the variability in associated factors, such as the patient's health, the number of lesions, location, anatomy of the aneurysms and the causative organism, each patient's care must be individualized and tailored to the patient's particular clinical situation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2005

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to report our experiences in managing seventeen cases of residual intracranial aneurysms following surgical or endovascular treatment and discuss the incidence of residual aneurysms, the indications and technique of retreatment of residual aneurysms. Methods: During a period of 42 months, we treated 391 aneurysms in 339 patients with microsurgical clipping or GDC embolization as a primary treatment. In 39 of them, follow-up angiography revealed residual aneurysms and seventeen of whom were retreated. There were eleven cases in ACoA, three cases in distal ICA, one, in each of MCA, ACA and basilar artery. We reviewed retrospectively the clinical notes, operation records and cerebral angiograms of seventeen patients who had been treated for residual aneurysms. Results: Complementary treatment was performed in 8 cases by means of surgery and in 9 cases by means of GDC embolization. There were eleven females and six males with an age variation between 29 and 78 years. The mean duration of angiographic follow-up was 17.3 months. Of the seventeen cases that were treated for residual aneurysms, fourteen achieved complete occlusion. Of 17 retreated patients, fifteen patients had good recovery according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Conclusion: When occlusion after endovascular or surgical treatment is incomplete, a new multidisciplinary approach should be carried out. Given our experiences, we recommend coil embolization of the choice in cases that the residual aneurysmal neck had been narrowed by previous clipping. On the other hand, if the residual aneurysm has enough space to clip but not enough to coil, we recommend the microsurgical clipping.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2013

Fusiform aneurysms on the basilar artery (BA) trunk are rare. The microsurgical management of these aneurysms is difficult because of their deep location, dense collection of vital cranial nerves, and perforating arteries to the brain stem. Endovascular treatment is relatively easier and safer compared with microsurgical treatment. Selective occlusion of the aneurysmal sac with preservation of the parent artery is the endovascular treatment of choice. But, some cases, particularly giant or fusiform aneurysms, are unsuitable for selective sac occlusion. Therefore, endovascular coiling of the aneurysm with parent vessel occlusion is an alternative treatment option. In this situation, it is important to determine whether a patient can tolerate parent vessel occlusion without developing neurological deficits. We report a rare case of fusiform aneurysms in the BA trunk. An 18-year-old female suffered a headache for 2 weeks. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance image revealed a fusiform aneurysm of the lower basilar artery trunk. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a $7.1{\times}11.0$ mm-sized fusiform aneurysm located between vertebrovasilar junction and the anterior inferior cerebellar arteries. We had good clinical result using endovascular coiling of unruptured fusiform aneurysm on the lower BA trunk with parent vessel occlusion after confirming the tolerance of the patient by balloon test occlusion with induced hypotension and accompanied by neurophysiologic monitoring, transcranial Doppler and single photon emission computed tomography. In this study, we discuss the importance of preoperative meticulous studies for avoidance of delayed neurological deficit in the patient with fusiform aneurysm on lower basilar trunk.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.547-549
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• 2015

Acute subdural hematoma (SDH) of arterial origin is rare, especially SDH associated with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is extremely rare. The authors report a case of acute spontaneous SDH due to rupture of a tiny cortical AVM. A 51-year-old male presented with sudden onset headache and mentality deterioration without a history of trauma. Brain CT revealed a large volume acute SDH compressing the right cerebral hemisphere with subfalcine and tentorial herniation. Emergency decompressive craniectomy was performed to remove the hematoma and during surgery a small (5 mm sized) conglomerated aciniform mass with two surrounding enlarged vessels was identified on the parietal cortex. After warm saline irrigation of the mass, active bleeding developed from a one of the vessel. The bleeding was stopped by coagulation and the vessels were removed. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion as an AVM. We concluded that a small cortical AVM existed at this area, and that the cortical AVM had caused the acute SDH. Follow up conventional angiography confirmed the absence of remnant AVM or any other vascular abnormality. This report demonstrates rupture of a cortical AVM is worth considering when a patient presents with non-traumatic SDH without intracerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2009

Objective : Direct surgical clipping of paraclinoid aneurysms poses technical challenges to even very experienced neurosurgeons, making endovascular treatment an alternative treatment modality in many centers. We have therefore retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of endovascular detachable coil embolization of paraclinoid aneurysms. Methods : From June 1997 to June 2007, 65 patients underwent endovascular detachable coiling for 67 paraclinoid aneurysms (of which 9 were ruptured and 58 were unruptured) in our institute. Their medical records, radiological images and readings, and operation records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : After the initial embolization procedure, complete occlusion was achieved in 29 (43.3%) of the aneurysms treated by endovascular detachable coiling. Six aneurysms required retreatment, with two each requiring one, two, or three additional endovascular procedures. Fifty-five (82.1%) aneurysms were measured by three-dimensional time of flight (TOF) magnetic resonance images (MRI) or transfemoral cerebral angiography (TFCA) at a mean follow-up of 29.7 months (range from 4 to 94 months), with 39 aneurysms (70.9%) showing complete occlusion. Thromboembolic events (3.8%) were the most frequent complication. Rupture did not occur during or after any of the procedures. According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), 98.4% of the patients treated by coil embolization had a score of 4 or 5. Conclusion : Our results indicate that endovascular detachable coiling is a safe and effective treatment modality in paraclinoid aneurysms.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.75-88
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• 2019

Diagnostic reference level (DRL) is employed to optimize the radiation doses of patients. The objective of this study is to review the DRLs for interventional procedures in Korea and abroad. Literature review was performed to investigate radiation dose index and measurement methodology commonly used in DRL determination. Dose area product (DAP) and fluoroscopy time within each major procedure category were systematically abstracted and analyzed. A wide variation was found in the radiation dose. The DAP values and fluoroscopy times ranged 0.01-3,081 Gy·㎠ and 2-16,878 seconds for all the interventional procedures, 8.5-1,679 Gy·㎠ and 32-5,775 seconds for the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and 0.1-686 Gy·㎠ and 16-6,636 seconds for the transfemoral cerebral angiography (TFCA), respectively. The DRL values of the DAP and fluoroscopy time were 238 Gy·㎠ and 1,224 seconds for the TACE and 189 Gy·㎠ and 686 seconds for the TFCA, respectively. Generally, the DRLs of Korea were lower than those of other developed countries, except for the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent in arteries of the lower extremity (LE PTA and stent), aneurysm coil embolization, and Hickman insertion procedures. The wide variation in the radiation doses of the different procedures suggests that more attention must be paid to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from medical imaging. Furthermore, periodic nationwide survey of medical radiation exposures is necessary to optimize the patient dose for radiation protection, which will ultimately contribute to patient dose reduction and radiological safety.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.379-384
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• 2016

Objective : Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is often complicated by difficult revascularization and non-involved territory embolization possibly related with larger clot-burden. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of proximal aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) using a balloon-tipped guide catheter for clot-burden reduction in such cases with period-to-period analysis (period 1 : standard MT without PAT; period 2 : PAT first, then standard MT for the remaining occlusion). Methods : Eighty-six patients who underwent MT for acute intracranial ICA occlusion were included in this analysis from the prospectively maintained stroke registry (33 patients in period 1 and 53 in period 2). In period 2, 'responder' was defined as a case where some amount of clot was retrieved by PAT and the following angiography showed partial or full recanalization. Results : Fifteen of fifty-three patients in period 2 (28.3%) were 'responders' to PAT. There was a significantly higher incidence of atrial fibrillation in the 'responder' subgroup. Period 2 showed a significantly shorter puncture-to-reperfusion time (94.5 minutes vs. 56.0 minutes; p=0.002), a significantly higher Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction of 2b-3 reperfusion (45.5% vs. 73.6%; p=0.009), but only a trend for better 3-month favorable outcome (mRS 0-2; 36.4% vs. 54.7%; p=0.097). There was no increase in the incidence of procedure-related complications or intracranial hemorrhage in period 2. Conclusion : A strategy of PAT before standard MT may result in shorter puncture-to-reperfusion time and better angiographic outcome than a strategy of standard MT for acute intracranial ICA occlusion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.360-368
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• 2009

Objective : The objectives of this study were to analyze the recanalization rates and outcomes of multimodal therapy that consisted of sequential intravenous (IV)/intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis, mechanical thrombolysis including mechanical clot disruption using microcatheters and microwires, balloon angioplasty, and stenting for acute ischemic stroke, and to evaluate the prognostic factors related to the outcome. Methods : Fifty patients who were admitted to the hospital within 8 hours from ischemic symptom onset were retrospectively analyzed. Initial IV thrombolysis and subsequent cerebral angiography were performed in all patients. If successful recanalization was not achieved by IV thrombolysis, additional IA thrombolysis with mechanical thrombolysis, including balloon angioplasty and stenting, were performed. The outcomes were assessed by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) change and modified Rankin scale (mRS) and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results : Successful recanalization was achieved in 42 (84%) of 50 patients, which consisted of 8 patients after IV thrombolysis, 19 patients after IA thrombolysis with mechanical clot disruption, and 15 patients after balloon angioplasty or stenting. Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in 4 (8%) patients. Good outcomes were achieved in 76% and 70% of patients upon discharge, and 93% and 84% of patients after 3 months according to the NIHSS change and mRS. The initial clinical status, recanalization achievement, and presence of symptomatic hemorrhage were statistically related to the outcomes. Conclusion : Multimodal therapy may be an effective and safe treatment modality for acute ischemic stroke. Balloon angioplasty and stenting is effective for acute thrombolysis, and produce higher recanalization rates with better outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2021

Objective : The Solitaire Platinum 4×40 mm stent retriever contains radiopaque markers with a long length. We evaluated the effect of Solitaire Platinum 4×40 mm stent retriever in Solumbra technique thrombectomy, and compared it with shorter Solitaire stent retrievers. Methods : A total of 70 patients who underwent Solumbra technique thrombectomy with equal diameter (4 mm) and different length (40 vs. 20 mm) Solitaire stent retrievers were divided into two groups : the Solitaire Platinum 4×40 mm stent (4×40) group and the Solitaire FR 4×20 mm stent or Solitaire Platinum 4×20 mm stent (4×20) group. The clinical outcomes, Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score, the first pass reperfusion status, and complications were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive factors for reperfusion and complete reperfusion from the first pass. Results : Higher first-pass reperfusion and complete reperfusion were achieved in the 4×40 group (68.0% and 48.0%) than in the 4×20 group (46.7% and 33.3%; p=0.004 and 0.007, respectively). In multivariate analysis, radiopaque device and longer stent retriever were correlated with first-pass reperfusion (p=0.014 and 0.008, respectively) and first-pass complete reperfusion (p=0.022 and 0.012, respectively). Conclusion : Our study demonstrated the usefulness of the Solitaire Platinum 4×40 mm stent retriever, which led to higher first-pass reperfusion and complete reperfusion rates than the Solitaire FR 4×20 mm stent or the Solitaire Platinum 4×20 mm stent, especially in Solumbra technique thrombectomy.