• 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.38 no.4
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• pp.281-286
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• 2005

Objective : The authors report our experience of urokinase thrombolysis in treating patients harboring nonaneurysmal spontanesous intraventricular hemorrhage[IVH] and evaluated complications, safety and feasibility of this procedure retrospectively. Methods : Fifty-three patients with nonaneurysmal IVH>15mL without underlying structural etiology or coagulopathy were recruited. The patients with Glasgow Coma Scale[GCS]<5 were excluded. A catheter was directed into the IVH. Hematoma aspiration was followed by instillation of urokinase at the ear level of drainage bag under intracranial pressure monitoring system. This was repeated every 6hours until half of its initial volume. For analysis of prognostic factors, we classified the patients into two groups by Glasgow outcome scale[GOS]; good [$GOS\;{\ge}3$] and bad [GOS<3] prognosis group, and performed comparative analysis between two groups. Results : Mean age was 60.2years. The baseline hematoma size ranged 16 to 72mL. IVH volume reduction was done by an average of 74.2%. As complications, there were 3cases of rebleeding and 2cases of ventriculitis. No intracranial adverse effects were observed during thrombolytic theraphy. At 6months after the procedure, 29patients had achieved a good recovery, 15remained vegetative. 9patients died in hospital. The main good prognostic factors were young age, small IVH volume, and high GCS. Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that this relatively easy and safe method of treatment will improve the prognosis. However, further clinical studies also must assess optimal thrombolytic dosage, frequency, and timing of urokinase instillation for safety and effectiveness and must include controlled comparisons of mortality, disability outcome, quality of life, time until convalescence, and cost of care in treated and untreated patients.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 1973

The function of the liver is so complicated and important that various Hepatic diseases are occured due to functional retardation of liver. Above all, the incidence of Hepatitis and liver cirrhosis among Koreans has shown an increasing tendency recently. 113 cases of Hepatitis and 125 cases of liver cirrhosis which had been admitted, more than 10 days, to KOREA Hospital between November, 1968 and July,1972, were studied through clinic charts. (A) Hepatitis 1) of the 113 cases; 54 cases (47.7%) were Infectious hepatitis; 40 cases (35.4%) were chronic hepatitis 2) of the 113 cases ; 80 cases (70.8%) were male and 33 cases (29.2%) were female; the sex ratio was 2.4 : 1 The ages of the onset of the disease was as follows; 34 cases (30.1%) were among $30{\sim}40$. 3) Patients had abdominal pain (77.9%) anorexia (66.4 %) and general weakness(82.3%) as symptom and jaundice (94.7%) hepatomegaly (76.1%) as sign 4) 57 cases of all had complication 26 cases (45.6%) were parasite, 12 cases (21.1%) were diabeties mellitus. 5) 99 casea (87.6%) of all were improved and recovered. (B) Liver Cirrhosis 1) Etiologic factors are hepatitis (56cases) and alcoholics (28 cases). 2) of the 125 cases, 84 cases (67.2%) were male and 41 cases (32.8%) were female; the sex ratio was 2 : 1 The age of the onset of the disease was as follows; 47 cases (37.6%) were among 41-50. 3) Patients had symptoms: indigestion (64.8%), Abdominal pain (60%), general wenkness (35.2%) and signs; Hepatomegaly (61.6%) Ascites (59.2%), Jaundice(56.8%). 4) 107 cases of all had complications; Hepatic coma was 20 cases (18.7 %), Ascites was 16 cases (15.0%). 5) 69 cases (55.2%) were improved. (c) Treatment of Hepatitis and cirrhosis. 1) Absolutely (bed) rest. 2) A well-balanced diet adequate in calorie value, showed be given (High Carbohydrate, High Protein, High vitamin diet) if the patient's appetite is good and easily digested. 3) Drugs; (1) Vitamins (2) Digestants (3) Tranquize

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.108-112
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• 2000

Objective : Many authors suggest that patients with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage(tSAH) visible on first CT after heve injury had a significantly worse prognosis than patients who do not. The aim of this study is to identify patients with tSAH who present with a bad prognosis by reviewing their clinicoradiological features and plan appropriate treatments. Patients and Methods : We reviewed and analysed the factors that influenced discharge outcomes in 172 patients with tSAH for a 3-year period. The outcome was divided into good(good recovery and moderate disability of glasgow outcome scale) and good(severe disability, vegetative state and death). Results : A regression analysis of statistical significant factors(p<0.05) among the clinical and CT features ranked them by descending order of contribution to Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) scores at the time of discharge from acute hospitalization as follows 1) clinical : admission Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS), hypotension, CT grade, abnormal APTT, skull fracture, hyperglycemia(>160mg/dl), hypoxia, operation, 2) CT : basal cistern effacement(BCE), mass lesion, cortical sulcal effacement(CSE), midline shift. Conclusion : We have also experienced that the CT grading scale proposed by Green et al is a simple and useful prognostic factor. The authors believe that the patients with high CT grade need adjuvant therapies as of well surgery but it seems mandatory to consider early identification and correction of hypotension, hyperglycemia, and hypoxia in emergency setting.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2015

Objective : Optimal treatment decision and estimation of the prognosis in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is currently based on demographic and clinical predictors. But sometimes, there are limitations in these factors. In this study, we analyzed three central nervous system biomarkers in TBI patients, will discuss the roles and clinical applications of biomarkers in TBI. Methods : From July on 2013 to August on 2014, a total of 45 patients were included. The serum was obtained at the time of hospital admission, and biomarkers were extracted with centrifugal process. It was analyzed for the level of S-100 beta (S100B), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1). Results : This study included 33 males and 12 females with a mean age of 58.5 (19-84) years. TBI patients were classified into two groups. Group A was severe TBI with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 3-5 and Group B was mild TBI with GCS score 13-15. The median serum concentration of S100B, GFAP, and UCH-L1 in severe TBI were raised 5.1 fold, 5.5 fold, and 439.1 fold compared to mild injury, respectively. The serum levels of these markers correlated significantly with the injury severity and clinical outcome (p<0.001). Increased level of markers was strongly predicted poor outcomes. Conclusion : S100B, GFAP, and UCH-L1 serum level of were significantly increased in TBI according to severity and associated clinical outcomes. Biomarkers have potential utility as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic adjuncts in the setting of TBI.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2015

Objective : To investigate the incidence of corpus callosum injury (CCI) in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) using brain MRI. We also performed a review of the clinical characteristics associated with this injury. Methods : A total of 356 patients in the study were diagnosed with TBI, with 94 patients classified as having mild TBI. We included patients with mild TBI for further evaluation if they had normal findings via brain computed tomography (CT) scans and also underwent brain MRI in the acute phase following trauma. As assessed by brain MRI, CCI was defined as a high-signal lesion in T2 sagittal images and a corresponding low-signal lesion as determined by axial gradient echo (GRE) imaging. Based on these criteria, we divided patients into two groups for further analysis : Group I (TBI patients with CCI) and Group II (TBI patients without CCI). Results : A total of 56 patients were enrolled in this study (including 16 patients in Group I and 40 patients in Group II). Analysis of clinical symptoms revealed a significant difference in headache severity between groups. Over 50% of patients in Group I experienced prolonged neurological symptoms including dizziness and gait disturbance and were more common in Group I than Group II (dizziness : 37 and 12% in Groups I and II, respectively; gait disturbance : 12 and 0% in Groups I and II, respectively). Conclusion : The incidence of CCI in patients with mild TBI was approximately 29%. We suggest that brain MRI is a useful method to reveal the cause of persistent symptoms and predict clinical prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.80-84
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• 2012

Objective : This study analyzed the relationship between prognosis and multiple clinical factors of ruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), to aid in predicting the results of surgical treatment. Methods : Enrolled subjects were 41 patients with ruptured MCA aneurysm with ICH who were treated with surgical clipping. Clinical factors such as gender, age, and initial Glasgow coma scale were assessed while radiological factors such as the volume and location of hematoma, the degree of a midline shift, and aneurysm size were considered retrospectively. Prognosis was evaluated postoperatively by Glasgow outcome scale. Results : Age and prognosis were correlated only in the groups with ICH over 31 mL or ICH at the frontal lobe or sylvian fissure. When initial mental status was good, only patients with ICH on the temporal lobe had a better prognosis. If the midline shift was less than 4.5 mm, the probability of better prognosis was 95.5% (21 of 22). If the midline shift was more than 4.5 mm, the probability of poor prognosis was 42.1% (8 of 19). Patients with ICH less than 31 mL had higher survival rates, whereas if the ICH was more than 31 mL, 41.2% (7 of 17) had a poor clinical pathway. Conclusion : Even if the initial clinical condition of the patient was not promising, by carefully examining and taking into account all factors, neurosurgeons can confidently recommend surgical treatment for these patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.710-716
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• 2017

Objective : Among pediatric injury, brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability. To improve outcomes, many developed countries built neurotrauma databank (NTDB) system but there was not established nationwide coverage NTDB until 2009 and there have been few studies on pediatric traumatic head injury (THI) patients in Korea. Therefore, we analyzed epidemiology and outcome from the big data of pediatric THI. Methods : We collected data on pediatric patients from 23 university hospitals including 9 regional trauma centers from 2010 to 2014 and analyzed their clinical factors (sex, age, initial Glasgow coma scale, cause and mechanism of head injury, presence of surgery). Results : Among all the 2617 THI patients, total number of pediatric patients was 256. The average age of the subjects was 9.07 (standard deviation${\pm}6.3$) years old. The male-to female ratio was 1.87 to 1 and male dominance increases with age. The most common cause for trauma were falls and traffic accidents. Age (p=0.007), surgery (p<0.001), mechanism of trauma (p=0.016), subdural hemorrhage (SDH) (p<0.001), diffuse axonal injury (DAI) (p<0.001) were statistically significant associated with severe brain injury. Conclusion : Falls were the most common cause of trauma, and age, surgery, mechanism of trauma, SDH, DAI increased with injury severity. There is a critical need for effective fall and traffic accidents prevention strategies for children, and we should give attention to these predicting factors for more effective care.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.388-391
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• 2017

A 8-month-old, spayed female, Domestic shorthair cat lived in a shelter was presented with pelvic limbs ataxia and dysuria. Serum biochemical profile abnormalities were hyperproteinemia and decreased albumin/globulin (A:G) ratio (0.70). Results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were mixed cells pleocytosis with predominance neutrophils and an increase in protein concentration. In addition, feline coronavirus was detected by realtime RT-PCR in CSF. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed lesions of the lumbar spinal cord. Based on clinical signs, MR finding, CSF analysis and realtime RT-PCR result in CSF, this case was diagnosed as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) associated meningomyelitis. Although prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil were administrated, clinical signs were not resolved and progressed to tetraplegia and coma status. This case presentation describes that feline infectious peritonitis virus could affect the lumbar spinal cord only and cause meningomyelitis with pelvic limbs ataxia without other neurological signs.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.248-255
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• 2015

Purpose: study of the mutual influence of the individual anatomical regions damage in patients associated with falls from heights. Methods: 561 medical reports of patients associated with falls from heights admitted to Republican Research Center of Emergency Medicine (RRCEM), in period of 2010-2013 yy, were analyzed retrospectively. Patient's age range was from 15 to 89. Treatment of these patients held in three stages: period of acute disorders of vital functions; relative stabilization period; stabilization of vital functions. The scope and content of medical diagnostic procedures performed on pre-hospital and intensive care stages. The severity of each injury was scored according to the AIS scale, the total severity of lesions was scored by points due to ISS. Digital material is treated by methods of mathematical statistics. Results: Falls from heights leads to associated injuries for 4 times more than isolated trauma, and increases according to height of fall and falling surface. Patients with TBI+chest trauma, are most serious contingent that has highest mortality and complications (36.8%). TBI+musculoskeletal system trauma are characterized by high blood loss, traumatic shock and fat embolism, forming a vicious circle. Conclusion: in patients associated with falls from heights clinical manifestations of injuries mutual aggravation syndrome will be seen. TBI leads to complication of chest trauma, delayed diagnostics of abdominal and chest trauma, aggravation of coma condition. Developing of high blood loss and fat embolism in musculoskeletal system trauma leads to shock and pulmonary embolism, which increases probability of death in the presence of abdominal or chest trauma, but abdominal trauma or chest trauma has no significant effect on the severity of the musculoskeletal system trauma.