• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제66권5호
• /
• pp.582-590
• /
• 2023

Objective : Trauma is a leading causes of death and disability in all ages. The aim of this study was to describe the demography and characteristics of paediatric head trauma in our institution and examine the predictors of outcome and incidence of injury related mortality. Methods : We examined our institutional Trauma Registry over a 2 year period. Results : A total of 1100 trauma patients were seen over the study period. Of the 579 patients who had head injury 99 were in the paediatric age group. Of the paediatric head trauma patients 79 had documented Glasgow coma score (GCS), 38 (48.1%), 17 (21.5%) and 24 (30.4%) had mild, moderate and severe head injury respectively. The percentage mortality of head injury in the paediatric age group was 6.06% (6/99). There is an association between mortality and GCS (p=0.008), necessity for intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p=0.0001), associated burns (p=0.0001) and complications such as aspiration pneumonia (p=0.0001). The significant predictors of outcome are aspiration (p=0.004), the need for ICU admission (p=0.0001) and associated burns (p=0.005) using logistic binary regression. During the study period 46 children underwent surgical intervention with extradural haematoma 16 (34.8%), depressed skull fracture 14 (30.4%) and chronic subdural haematoma five (10.9%) being the commonest indication for surgeries. Conclusion : Paediatric head injury accounted for 9.0% (99/1100) of all trauma admissions. Majority of patients had mild or moderate injuries. Burns, aspiration pneumonitis and the need for ICU admission were important predictors of outcome in children with traumatic brain injury.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제53권5호
• /
• pp.281-287
• /
• 2013

Objective : Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare primary low-grade astrocytic tumor classified as WHO II. It is generally benign, but disease progression and malignant transformation have been reported. Prognostic factors for PXA and optimal therapies are not well known. Methods : The study period was January 2000 to March 2012. Data on MR findings, histology, surgical extents and adjuvant therapies were reviewed in twenty-two patients diagnosed with PXA. Results : The frequent symptoms of PXA included seizures, headaches and neurologic deficits. Tumors were most common in the temporal lobe followed by frontal, parietal and occipital lobes. One patient who died from immediate post-operative complications was excluded from the statistical analysis. Of the remaining 21 patients, 3 (14%) died and 7 (33%) showed disease progression. Atypical tumor location (p<0.001), peritumoral edema (p=0.022) and large tumor size (p=0.048) were correlated with disease progression, however, Ki-67 index and necrosis were not statistically significant. Disease progression occurred in three (21%) of 14 patients who underwent GTR, compared with 4 (57%) of 7 patients who did not undergo GTR, however, it was not statistically significant. Ten patients received adjuvant radiotherapy and the tumors were controlled in 5 of these patients. Conclusion : The prognosis for PXA is good; in our patients overall survival was 84%, and event-free survival was 59% at 3 years. Atypical tumor location, peritumoral edema and large tumor size are significantly correlated with disease progression. GTR may provide prolonged disease control, and adjuvant radiotherapy may be beneficial, but further study is needed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제46권4호
• /
• pp.360-364
• /
• 2009

Objective : Several treatment options have proven effective for metastatic brain tumors, including surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery. Tumors with cystic components, however, are difficult to treat using a single method. We retrospectively assessed the outcome and efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for cystic brain metastases after stereotactic aspiration of cystic components to decrease the tumor volume. Methods : The study population consisted of 24 patients (13 males, 11 females; mean age, 58.3 years) with cystic metastatic brain tumors treated from January 2002 to August 2008. Non-small cell lung cancer was the most common primary origin. After Leksell stereotactic frame was positioned on each patient, magnetic resonance images (MRI)-guided stereotactic cyst aspiration and GKRS were performed (mean prescription dose : 20.2 Gy). After treatment, patients were evaluated by MRI every 3 or 4 months. Results : After treatment, 13 patients (54.2%) demonstrated tumor control, 5 patients (20.8%) showed local tumor progression, and 6 patients (25.0%) showed remote progression. Mean follow-up duration was 13.1 months. During this period, 10 patients (41.7%) died, but only 1 patient (4.2%) died from brain metastases. The overall median survival after these procedures was 17.8 months. Conclusion : These results support the usefulness of GKRS after stereotactic cyst aspiration in patients with large cystic brain metastases. This method is especially effective for the patients whose general condition is very poor for general anesthesia and those with metastatic brain tumors located in eloquent areas.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제46권3호
• /
• pp.221-225
• /
• 2009

Objective : Surgical treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms is challenging due to limited surgical accessibility. Endovascular approach has a benefit of avoiding direct injury to the brainstem or lower cranial nerves. Therefore, it has recently been considered an alternative or primary modality for PICA aneurysms. We retrospectively assessed outcomes following detachable coil embolization of saccular PICA aneurysms. Methods : From February 1997 to December 2007, we performed endovascular procedures to treat 15 patients with 15 PICA aneurysms. Fourteen patients with 14 PICA aneurysms morphology of which was saccular were reviewed retrospectively. Twelve patients had ruptured aneurysms. The aneurysms arose from the PICA origin site (n=12), the PICA lateral medullary segment (n=1), or the PICA tonsilomedullary segment (n=1). Results : Complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 10 patients, residual neck in 3, and residual sac in one. Radiological follow-up was performed in 7 patients with mean duration of 34.7 months (range, 1-97 months) and showed stable or complete occlusion in 6 patients. There were no rebleeding or retreatment after endovascular treatment. Thromboembolism was the only procedure-related complication (n=4 ; 28.6%). Asymptomatic PICA infarction occurred in two patients and symptomatic PICA infarction in two elderly patients with poor clinical grade. Of these procedural PICA infarction cases, 1 symptomatic PICA infarction patient developed ventriculitis and septic shock leading to death. The clinical outcome was good in 10 patients (71.4%). Conclusions : In the present study, detachable coil embolization has shown as an efficient modality for PICA saccular aneurysms challenging indications of microsurgery. However, thromboembolic complications should be considered, especially in poor clinical elderly patients with ruptured aneurysms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제64권2호
• /
• pp.261-270
• /
• 2021

Objective : Decompressive craniectomy (DC) can partially remove the unyielding skull vault and make affordable space for the expansion of swelling brain contents. The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcome according to DC surface area (DC area) and side. Methods : A total of 324 patients underwent different surgical methods (unilateral DC, 212 cases and bilateral DC, 112 cases) were included in this retrospective analysis. Their mean age was 53.4±16.6 years (median, 54 years). Neurological outcome (Glasgow outcome scale), ventricular intracranial pressure (ICP), and midline shift change (preoperative minus postoperative) were compared according to surgical methods and total DC area, DC surface removal rate (DC%) and side. Results : DC surgery was effective for ICP decrease (32.3±16.7 mmHg vs. 19.2±13.4 mmHg, p<0.001) and midline shift change (12.5±7.6 mm vs. 7.8±6.9 mm, p<0.001). The bilateral DC group showed larger total DC area (125.1±27.8 ㎠ for unilateral vs. 198.2±43.0 ㎠ for bilateral, p<0.001). Clinical outcomes were nonsignificant according to surgical side (favorable outcome, p=0.173 and mortality, p=0.470), significantly better when total DC area was over 160 ㎠ and DC% was 46% (p=0.020 and p=0.037, respectively). Conclusion : DC surgery is effective in decrease the elevated ICP, decrease the midline shift and improve the clinical outcome in massive brain swelling patient. Total DC area and removal rate was larger in bilateral DC than unilateral DC but clinical outcome was not influenced by DC side. DC area more than 160 ㎠ and DC surface removal rate more than 46% were more important than DC side.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권8호
• /
• pp.1001-1007
• /
• 2000

Objective : We analysed diverse clinical features of the cavernous angioma. Also, we report the experience in differ-ent methods of the management and their results. Method : Data from 80 patients who were confirmed pathologically or diagnosed radiologically between Jan. 1990 and Sept. 1998 at our hospital were analysed. Variable factors that were examined were : clinical features, effects of treatment, and complications. Results : There were 47 male and 33 female patients. The age at the first presentation was from 3 to 57(mean 34.1) years old. Clinical features were seizure in 28 cases(38%), bleeding in 24 cases(32%), neurologic deficits in 12 cases(16%), headache in 10 cases(14%), and six incidental cases. The locations of lesion were cerebral and cerebellar hemisphere in 45 cases(56.2%), brainstem, basal ganglia, and thalamus in 32 cases(40%), multiple in 3 cases (3.8%). Seizure was common at the third decade and occurred frequently with the cavernous angioma in temporal (43%) or frontal lobe(39%). Bleeding was frequent after the third decade with peak at the fourth decade and had high incidence in brainstem or thalamus. The gamma-knife radiosurgery was done in 47 cases. Rebleeding occurred in 3 cases, but it was within postradiosurgery 1 year. Symptomatic radiation change occurred in 2 cases of 8 radiation change on MRI. On follow-up MRI, no evidence of rebleeding was found in 30 cases. Also, The lesion size was decreased in 3 cases. Resection was performed in 23 cases ; total 20, subtotal 2, partial 1. Postoperative complication occurred in 6 cases(26.1%). After surgery, 7(63.6%) of 11 seizure patients had outcome of seizure-free. Subclinical rebleeding occurred in one of two subtotal resected cases. In 11 patients, conservative management was done. There was neither rebleeding nor symptom aggravation during follow-up period of mean 17.2 months. Conclusion : The solution for prevention of rebleeding is complete removal of the lesion located at noneloquent area or accessible region, especially for the patients who presented symptoms or intractable seizure. However, the Gamma knife radiosurgery is considered when the lesions are located at eloquent area or when severe postoperative morbidity is expected.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권9호
• /
• pp.1228-1232
• /
• 2000

목 적 : 본 연구는 삼차신경통에 대한 감마나이프 방사선 수술을 한 경우에 있어서 그 장기추적 결과를 분석하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 총 증례수는 11례였고 신경근 입구부(nerve root entry zone)에 수술의 목표점으로 최대량 67~85Gy를 조사하였다. 4mm collimator를 사용하였고 목표점은 뇌교의 표면으로부터 1~6mm 원위부 신경근에 위치하였다. 초기 3례에 있어서는 신경근과 뇌교가 만나는 접합부를 방사선수술의 목표점으로 삼았다. 이들 증례에서는 뇌교에 56 혹은 60Gy가 조사되었다. 후반 8례에서는 목표점을 다소 신경근의 원위부로 이동하여 뇌교의 가장자리가 최대량의 20% 이하로 조사되도록 계획하였다. 결 과 : 평균추적 기간은 25개월(13~50개월)이었다. 통증감소의 시작시점은 수술후 일주일내에서부터 길게는 5개월째였다. 통증의 치료결과는 삼례에서 완전소실, 3례에서 현격히 감소(80~90%)하였고 4례에서는 의미있게 감소하였다. 단 한례에서 최종추적결과 수술전과 같은 정도의 통증재발이 있었다. 전례에서 감마나이프 방사선수술과 관련된 의미있는 정도의 부작용은 관찰되지않았다. 결 론 : 장기추적 결과 감마나이프 방사선 수술이 삼차신경통의 치료에 효과적임이 관찰되었고 향후 이 질환에 대한 일차적 치료법으로 정하기 위하여 좀더 많은 치료경험이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제30권sup1호
• /
• pp.108-114
• /
• 2001

Objective : Posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF) provides the favorable outcome to degenerative lumbar disease, especially isthmic spondylolisthesis. To determine the long-term effect of PLIF using psterior movable segment, we analysed the results of follow-up radiologic changes and surgical outcome retrospectively Patients and Method : During the past 11 years(1989. 1.-1999. 9.), 148 patients with symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis were managed at our department and the clinical wants were throughly recieved and final outcome is determined at last follow up. PLIF using antogenous bone(posterior movable segment, iliac bone and rib) were performed in 106 case. Results : After an average follow-up period of 33 months(range ; 15-58 months), the results were excellent in 66 cases, good in 37 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 1 cases. And the satisfactory results were 103 cases(98.2%) in PLIF,. Conclusion : In conclusion, patients who underwent PLIF with autologous bone graft had good clinical and radiological outcomes without significant neurological complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권8호
• /
• pp.1037-1042
• /
• 2000

Objective : The goal of this study was to recognize the clinical feature and associated risk factors in spinal epidural abscess(SEA), and to improve the outcome accordingly. Methods : A retrospective study was performed in 14 patients with SEA who underwent surgical intervention at our hospital between 1990 and 1999. Results : After a mean follow-up period of 10.2 months(range, 1-57 months), 8 patients had no or minimal deficits, 4 patients had severe paresis or plegia and/or bowel/bladder dysfunction, and 2 patients died due to medical complications. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen, isolated in 9 patients(64.3%). Cervical and thoracic spinal epidural abscesses showed a tendency to develop rapidly and were associated with severe neurological deficits. Conclusion : Thoracic spinal epidural abscesses were associated with a poorer prognosis than those in other regions. Therefore, it should be treated more aggressively. Good neurological recovery can be obtained despite severe neurologic deficit when treated by early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제55권5호
• /
• pp.255-260
• /
• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare the radiological and neurological outcomes between two atlantoaxial fusion method for atlantoaxial stabilization; C1 lateral mass-C2 pedicle screws (screw-rod constructs, SRC) versus C1-2 transarticular screws (TAS). Methods : Forty-one patients in whom atlantoaxial instability was treated with atlantoaxial fixation by SRC group (27 patients, from March 2005 to May 2011) or TAS group (14 patients, from May 2000 to December 2005) were retrospectively reviewed. Numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain assessment, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Frankel grade were also checked for neurological outcome. In radiologic outcome assessment, proper screw position and fusion rate were checked. Perioperative parameters such as blood loss during operation, operation time, and radiation exposure time were also reviewed. Results : The improvement of NRS and ODI were not different between both groups significantly. Good to excellent response in Frankel grade is shown similarly in both groups. Proper screw position and fusion rate were also observed similarly between two groups. Total bleeding amount during operation is lesser in SRC group than TAS group, but not significantly (p=0.06). Operation time and X-ray exposure time were shorter in SRC group than in TAS group (all p<0.001). Conclusion : Both TAS and SRC could be selected as safe and effective treatment options for C1-2 instability. But the perioperative result, which is technical demanding and X-ray exposure might be expected better in SRC group compared to TAS group.