• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.203-207
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• 2012

Objective: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of screw fixation without bone fusion for unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fracture. Methods: Nine patients younger than 40 years underwent screw fixation without bone fusion, following postural reduction using a soft roll at the involved vertebra, in cases of burst fracture. Their motor power was intact in spite of severe canal compromise. The surgical procedure included postural reduction for 3 days and screw fixations at one level above, one level below and at the fractured level itself. The patients underwent removal of implants 12 months after the initial operation, due to possibility of implant failure. Imaging and clinical findings, including canal encroachment, vertebral height, clinical outcome, and complications were analyzed. Results: Prior to surgery, the mean pain score (visual analogue scale) was 8.2, which decreased to 2.2 at 12 months after screw fixation. None of the patients complained of worsening of pain during 6 months after implant removal. All patients were graded as having excellent or good outcomes at 6 months after implant removal. The proportion of canal compromise at the fractured level improved from 55% to 35% at 12 months after surgery. The mean preoperative vertebral height loss was 45.3%, which improved to 20.6% at 6 months after implant removal. There were no neurological deficits related to neural injury. The improved vertebral height and canal compromise were maintained at 6 months after implant removal. Conclusion: Short segment pedicle screw fixation, including fractured level itself, without bone fusion following postural reduction can be an effective and safe operative technique in the management of selected young patients suffering from unstable burst fracture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권2호
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• pp.189-194
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• 2017

Objective : We evaluated the validity of bone cement-augmented percutaneous screw fixation for treating malignant spinal metastases. Methods : Between 2011 and 2015, 14 patients (eight men and six women) who underwent bone cement-augmented percutaneous screw fixation for malignant spinal metastases were enrolled in this study. Their life expectancy was considered to be more than one month and less than one year, based on the revised Tokuhashi scoring system. Clinical findings including the back pain scale score, functional outcome, procedure related complications, and survival were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and then six months after the procedure. Results : Twelve of the patients (86%) survived up to six months after the procedure. Three required mini-open decompressive laminectomy for severe epidural compression. Bone cement-augmented percutaneous screw fixation was performed one level above, one level below, and at the pathologic level itself. The mean operation time was 60 minutes (45-180) and blood loss was less than 100 mL. Prior to surgery, the mean pain score on the visual analogue scale was 8.8, while one month after the procedure, it had reduced to 3.0; this improvement was maintained until the six-month assessment in the surviving patients. All patients were able to sit within the first two days after surgery, and no patient experienced neurological deterioration at the one-month follow up after the surgery. No patient experienced screw loosening during the six months of follow-up. Asymptomatic cement leakage into the epidural space was observed in two patients, but no major complications were observed. Conclusion : For selected patients with malignant spinal metastases, bone cement-augmented percutaneous screw fixation can provide significant pain relief and improve quality of life.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권2호
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• pp.232-238
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• 2017

Objective : An apparent increase of use of drugs affecting hemostasis in our neurosurgical department since the 1990s has encouraged us to investigate whether these drugs influence the clinical course and results of surgery for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Methods : This retrospective analysis included 178 patients admitted for CSDH from 2007 to 2011 who were divided into two groups : on drugs affecting hemostasis (40; 22%) and no bleeding disorders (138; 78%). Medications in the first group included oral anticoagulants (33; 82.5%), antiplatelets (5; 12.5%) and low molecular weight heparins (2; 5%). Results : The patients on drugs affecting hemostasis were older ($74.3{\pm}7.4$ vs. $68.4{\pm}14.8$; p-value 0.01) and the group without bleeding disorders had more head trauma history (61% vs. 38%, p-value 0.01). The groups did not differ in bilateral hematoma rates (25% vs. 20%, p-value=NS). At diagnosis, mean hematoma thickness was lower in patients on drugs affecting hemostasis ($18.7{\pm}7.4mm$ vs. $21.9{\pm}7.9mm$, p-value<0.01). Average stay of hospital was 1 day longer in patients on drugs affecting hemostasis ($11.7{\pm}4.1$ vs.$10.9{\pm}5.3$, p-value=NS) and was related to the necessity of bleeding disorder reversal. Mean neurological status at presentation was similar between the groups (p-value=NS) as was the likelihood of hematoma recurrence (p-value=NS). Glasgow Outcome Scale results were comparable. Conclusion : Patients on drugs affecting hemostasis are less often aware of a head trauma history, possibly suggesting a higher CSDH risk after minor trauma in this group. In these patients, smaller hematomas are symptomatic, probably due to faster hematoma formation. Drugs affecting hemostasis do not affect treatment results.

• 턱관절균형의학회지
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• 제5권sup호
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• pp.11-18
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• 2015

본 증례에서는 극심한 삼차신경통 진단을 받고 안면부와 턱관절 통증으로 일상생활이 어려워 항간질약과 수술적 치료를 받았지만 통증이 개선되지 않던 환자에게서 음양균형장치를 포함한 자세조절훈련, 침치료 등 구조적 치료를 통해서 유의한 자각적 증상 개선뿐만 아니라 턱관절의 구조적 개선이 나타남을 관찰하였고, 요통과 경항통 및 비염 같은 제반 증상들의 호전과 척추의 구조적 개선이 관찰되었다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.95-101
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• 2010

Objective : Clinical, radiographic, and outcomes assessments, focusing on complications, were performed in patients who underwent pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) to assess correction effectiveness, fusion stability, procedural safety, neurological outcomes, complication rates, and overall patient outcomes. Methods : We analyzed data obtained from 13 consecutive PSO-treated patients presenting with fixed sagittal imbalances from 1999 to 2006. A single spine surgeon performed all operations. The median follow-up period was 73 months (range 41-114 months). Events during peri operative course and complications were closely monitored and carefully reviewed. Radiographs were obtained and measurements were done before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the most recent follow-up examinations. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index and subjective satisfaction evaluation. Results : Following surgery, lumbar lordosis increased from $-14.1^{\circ}{\pm}20.5^{\circ}$ to $-46.3^{\circ}{\pm}12.8^{\circ}$ (p<0.0001). and the C7 plumb line improved from $115{\pm}43\;mm$ to $32{\pm}38\;mm$ (p<0.0001). There were 16 surgery-related complications in 8 patients; 3 intraoperative, 3 perioperative, and 10 late-onset postoperative. The prevalence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) was 23% (3 of 13 patients). However, clinical outcomes were not adversely affected by PJK. Intraoperative blood loss averaged 2,984 mL. The C7 plumb line values and postoperative complications were closely correlated with clinical results. Conclusion : Intraoperative or postoperative complications are relatively common following PSO. Most late-onset complications in PSO patients were related to PJK and instrumentation failure. Correcting the C7 plumb line value with minimal operative complications seemed to lead to better clinical results.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.128-134
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent radiation therapy with or without targeted molecular therapy for the treatment of spinal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and Methods: A total of 28 spinal metastatic lesions from RCC patients treated with radiotherapy between June 2009 and June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Thirteen lesions were treated concurrently with targeted molecular therapy (concurrent group) and 15 lesions were not (nonconcurrent group). Local control was defined as lack of radiographically evident local progression and neurological deterioration. Results: At a median follow-up of 11 months (range, 2 to 58 months), the 1-year local progression-free rate (LPFR) was 67.0%. The patients with concurrent targeted molecular therapy showed significantly higher LPFR than those without (p = 0.019). After multivariate analysis, use of concurrent targeted molecular therapy showed a tendency towards improved LPFR (hazard ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.01 to 1.16). There was no difference in the incidence of systemic progression between concurrent and nonconcurrent groups. No grade ${\geq}2$ toxicities were observed during or after radiotherapy. Conclusion: Our study suggests the possibility that concurrent use of targeted molecular therapy during radiotherapy may improve LPFR. Further study with a large population is required to confirm these results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.413-418
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• 2005

Objective : Although an encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis procedure using the superficial temporal artery [STA-EDAS] is an effective indirect bypass method in children with moyamoya disease[MMD], there is still a need for an additional bypass operation that can cover the area of the posterior circulation. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the EDAS procedure using the occipital arteries [OA-EDAS]. Methods : From August 2003 to April 2004, We performed OA-EDAS in sixteen patients with MMD who have a circulatory insufficiency in the territory of the posterior cerebral artery[PCA]. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively. The surgical outcomes, including the changes in neurological status and imaging studies, with the degree of neovascularization on the cerebral angiogram, and the hemodynamic changes on single-photon emission computed tomography[SPECT], were analyzed. Results : These 16 children consisted of 5 boys and 11 girls aged 2 to 9 years. The clinical outcome of their PCA symptoms, such as visual transient ischemic attacks[TIAs] or visual field defect, was favorable in 14 patients of 16. Nine patients of 11 who underwent follow up magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] showed favorable MRI changes. On angiogram most of the patients exhibited good or fair revascularization of the PCA territory [7 of 8]. The hemodynamic changes on SPECT in the PCA territory after surgery showed improved vascular reserve in 13 of the 16 territories. Conclusion : OA-EDAS is a safe and efficacious revascularization procedure in patients with MMD who have compromised cerebral perfusion in PCA territory, or with visual TIAs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.350-354
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical outcome of 75 consecutive patients with cervical carotid artery stenosis and who were treated by carotid artery stenting (CAS) only. Methods : From February 2003 to June 2008, there were 78 stents placed in 75 symptomatic patients (mean age : 67.3 years); 69 patients had carotid stenosis ${\geq}70%$, and 6 patients had asymptomatic stenosis ${\geq}80%$. No carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was performed during the same period. The patients were clinically followed-up for a mean of 20.1 months. Results : The procedures were technically successful in all cases. Three (3.8%) patients had procedure-related complications. During the 30-day postprocedural period, there were no restenosis or major stroke. Minor stroke was noticed in 3 (3.8%) patients and 1 (1.3%) of the 75 patients suddenly expired 2 days after discharge. There were no new neurological symptoms that developed during the clinical follow-up period. The results of our series were not inferior to those the previously published in CAS studies, and in fact they were better. Conclusion : Our results suggest that CAS may be safe and useful for the treatment of cervical carotid artery stenosis when it is used as the first line treatment in those institutions that lack enough experience with CEA.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권3호
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• pp.427-436
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• 2021

Objective : The fate of partially thrombosed intracranial aneurysms (PTIAs) is not well known after endovascular treatment. The authors aimed to analyze the treatment outcomes of PTIAs. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 27 PTIAs treated with endovascular intervention between January 1999 and March 2018. Twenty-one aneurysms were treated with intraluminal embolization (ILE), and six were treated with parent artery occlusion (PAO) with or without bypass surgery. Radiological results, clinical outcomes and risk factors for major recurrence were assessed. Results : The initial clinical status was similar in both groups; however, the last status was better in the ILE group than in the PAO group (p=0.049). Neurological deterioration resulted from mass effect in one case and rupture in one after ILE, and mass effect in two and perforator infarction in one after PAO. Twenty cases (94.2%) in the ILE group initially achieved complete occlusion or residual neck status. However, 13 cases (61.9%) showed major recurrence, the major causes of which included coil migration or compaction. Seven cases (33.3%) ultimately achieved residual sac status after repeat treatment. In the PAO group, all initially showed complete occlusion or a residual neck, and just one case ultimately had a residual sac. Two cases showed major recurrence, the cause of which was incomplete PAO. Aneurysm wall calcification was the only significantly protective factor against major recurrence (odds ratio, 36.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.85 to 705.18; p=0.018). Conclusion : Complete PAO of PTIAs is the best option if treatment-related complications can be minimized. Simple fluoroscopy is a useful imaging modality because of the recurrence pattern.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제62권3호
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• pp.353-360
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• 2019

Epilepsy surgery that eliminates the epileptogenic focus or disconnects the epileptic network has the potential to significantly improve seizure control in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) has been an established option for epilepsy surgery since the US Food and Drug Administration cleared the use of MRgLITT in neurosurgery in 2007. MRgLITT is an ablative stereotactic procedure utilizing heat that is converted from laser energy, and the temperature of the tissue is monitored in real-time by MR thermography. Real-time quantitative thermal monitoring enables titration of laser energy for cellular injury, and it also estimates the extent of tissue damage. MRgLITT is applicable for lesion ablation in cases that the epileptogenic foci are localized and/or deep-seated such as in the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and hypothalamic hamartoma. Seizure-free outcomes after MRgLITT are comparable to those of open surgery in well-selected patients such as those with mesial temporal sclerosis. Particularly in patients with hypothalamic hamartoma. In addition, MRgLITT can also be applied to ablate multiple discrete lesions of focal cortical dysplasia and tuberous sclerosis complex without the need for multiple craniotomies, as well as disconnection surgery such as corpus callosotomy. Careful planning of the target, the optimal trajectory of the laser probe, and the appropriate parameters for energy delivery are paramount to improve the seizure outcome and to reduce the complication caused by the thermal damage to the surrounding critical structures.