• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 2015

Objective : Removal of blood from subarachnoid space with a lumbar drainage (LD) may decrease development of cerebral vasospasm. We evaluated the effectiveness of a LD for a clinical vasospasm and outcomes after clipping of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods : Between July 2008 and July 2013, 234 patients were included in this study. The LD group consisted of 126 patients, 108 patients in the non LD group. We investigated outcomes as follow : 1) clinical vasospasm, 2) angioplasty, 3) cerebral infarction, 4) Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score at discharge, 5) GOS score at 6-month follow-up, and 6) mortality. Results : Clinical vasospasm occurred in 19% of the LD group and 42% of the non LD group (p<0.001). Angioplasty was performed in 17% of the LD group and 38% of the non LD group (p=0.001). Cerebral infarctions were detected in 29% and 54% of each group respectively (p<0.001). The proportion of GOS score 5 at 6 month follow-up in the LD group was 69%, and it was 58% in the non LD group (p=0.001). Mortality rate showed 5% and 10% in each group respectively. But, there was no difference in shunt between the two groups. Conclusion : LD after aneurysmal SAH shows marked reduction of clinical vasospasm and need for angioplasty. With this technique we have shown favorable GOS score at 6 month follow-up.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.419-422
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• 2014

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by sudden-onset headache with focal neurologic deficit and prolonged but reversible multifocal narrowing of the distal cerebral arteries. Stroke, either hemorrhagic or ischemic, is a relatively frequent presentation in RCVS, but progressive manifestations of subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction in a patient is seldom described. We report a rare case of a 56-year-old woman with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome consecutively presenting as cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral infarction. When she complained of severe headache with subtle cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage, her angiography was non-specific. But, computed tomographic angiography showed typical angiographic features of this syndrome after four days. Day 12, she suffered mental deterioration and hemiplegia due to contralateral intracerebral hematoma, and she was surgically treated. For recurrent attacks of headache, medical management with calcium channel blockers has been instituted. Normalized angiographic features were documented after 8 weeks. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome should be considered as differential diagnosis of non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and repeated angiography is recommended for the diagnosis of this under-recognized syndrome.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.755-757
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• 2013

Gnathostoma spinigerum can cause subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The detection of specific antibodies in serum against G. spinigerum antigen is helpful for diagnosis of neurognathostomiasis. There is limited data on the frequency of G. spinigerum infection in non-traumatic SAH. A series of patients diagnosed as non-traumatic SAH at the Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand between January 2011 and January 2013 were studied. CT or MR imaging of the brain was used for diagnosis of SAH. Patients were categorized as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (A-SAH) or non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (NA-SAH) according to the results of cerebral angiograms. The presence of specific antibodies in serum against 21- or 24-kDa G. spinigerum antigen was determined using the immunoblot technique. The detection rate of antibodies was compared between the 2 groups. Of the 118 non-traumatic SAH patients for whom cerebral angiogram and immunoblot data were available, 80 (67.8%) patients had A-SAH, whereas 38 (32.2%) had NASAH. Overall, 23.7% were positive for specific antibodies against 21- and /or 24-kDa G. spinigerum antigen. No significant differences were found in the positive rate of specific antibodies against G. spinigerum in both groups (P-value=0.350).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.449-454
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• 2018

Objective: The SAFARI score was introduced to assess the risk of convulsive seizure during admission for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in 2017. This study was conducted to determine whether the SAFARI score derived from the afore-mentioned study could be applied to patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Korea. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage from March 2013 to October 2017. Patients' age, sex, blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature, Glasgow-Coma Scale, Hunt-Hess scale, modified Fisher grade, size of ruptured aneurysm, surgery type, transfusion, and SAFARI score were compared between the seizure and non-seizure groups. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curves was calculated to evaluate the predictive ability for seizure during admission. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze predictive factors for seizure during admission. Results: A total of 220 patients were included. Ninety-seven (44.1%) were male and 123 (55.9%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 65.8 years old (range, 56-75). The area under the curve of the SAFARI score for predicting seizure was 0.813. The SAFARI score was the only significant predictor of seizure during admission, while other factors were not statistically significant upon logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The SAFARI score could be used for predicting seizure during admission in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.955-963
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• 2018

This case report documents one patient with acute cortical cisternal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The patient had a central pain in the right upper limb and was treated with traditional Korean medicine in the Oriental Hospital of Se-Myung University. The patient was treated with Yangkyuksanwha-tang and acupuncture and followed up with a symptoms checklist and brain computed tomography (CT) scan. Initially, the frequency of right upper extremity pain was 18 per day, but this disappeared after treatment. CT follow up showed that subarachnoid hemorrhage was resolved. There were no side effects associated with treatment. This case shows that traditional Korean medicine treatment is effective in treating acute cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.177-185
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• 2024

Objective : Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a major cause of disability in patients who survive aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Systemic inflammatory markers, such as peripheral leukocyte count and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) score, have been considered predictors of DCI in previous studies. This study aims to investigate which systemic biomarkers are significant predictors of DCI. Methods : We conducted a retrospective, observational, single-center study of 170 patients with SAH admitted between May 2018 and March 2022. We analyzed the patients' clinical and laboratory parameters within 1 hour and 3-4 and 5-7 days after admission. The DCI and non-DCI groups were compared. Variables showing statistical significance in the univariate logistic analysis (p<0.05) were entered into a multivariate regression model. Results : Hunt-Hess grade "4-5" at admission, modified Fisher scale grade "3-4" at admission, hydrocephalus, intraventricular hemorrhage, and infection showed statistical significance (p<0.05) on a univariate logistic regression. Lymphocyte and monocyte count at admission, SII scores and C-reactive protein levels on days 3-4, and leukocyte and neutrophil counts on days 5-7 exhibited statistical significance on the univariate logistic regression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that monocyte count at admission (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.65; p=0.036) and SII score at days 3-4 (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.02-2.47; p=0.049) were independent predictors of DCI. Conclusion : Monocyte count at admission and SII score 3-4 days after rupture are independent predictors of clinical deterioration caused by DCI after aSAH. Peripheral monocytosis may be the primer for the innate immune reaction, and the SII score at days 3-4 can promptly represent the propagated systemic immune reaction toward DCI.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.607-613
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• 2020

Objective : Spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage is a life-threatening disease, and non-lesional spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhage (nIPH) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are the leading causes of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage. Only a few studies have assessed the association between prior physical activity or triggering events and the occurrence of nIPH or aSAH. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of specific physical activities and triggering events in the occurrence of nIPH and aSAH. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 824 consecutive patients with spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage between January 2010 and December 2018. Among the 824 patients, 132 patients were excluded due to insufficient clinical data and other etiologies of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage. The medical records of 692 patients were reviewed, and the following parameters were assessed : age, sex, history of hypertension, smoking, history of stroke, use of antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents, season and time of onset, physical activities performed according to the metabolic equivalents, and triggering event at onset. Events that suddenly raised the blood pressure such as sudden postural changes, defecation or urination, sexual intercourse, unexpected emotional stress, sauna bath, and medical examination were defined as triggering events. These clinical data were compared between the nIPH and aSAH groups. Results : Both nIPH and aSAH most commonly occurred during non-strenuous physical activity, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.524). Thirty-two patients (6.6%) in the nIPH group and 39 patients (8.1%) in the aSAH group experienced triggering events at onset, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.034). The most common triggering events were defecation or urination in both groups. Conclusion : Specific physical activity dose no affect the incidence of nIPH and aSAH. The relationship between the occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage and triggering events is higher in aSAH than nIPH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.289-295
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• 2013

Objective : Cerebral vasospasm is a common and potentially devastating complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Inflammatory processes seem to play a major role in the pathogenesis of vasospasm. C-reactive protein (CRP) constitutes a highly sensitive inflammatory marker. Elevation of serum CRP levels has been demonstrated in patients with aSAH. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the possible relationship between CRP levels in the serum and transcranial Doppler (TCD) and the development of vasospasm in patients with aSAH. Methods : A total of 61 adult patients in whom aSAH was diagnosed were included in the study from November 2008 to May 2011. The patients' demographics, Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, CT scans, digital subtraction angiography studies, and daily neurological examinations were recorded. Serial serum CRP measurements were obtained on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 and TCD was measured on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. All patients underwent either surgical or endovascular treatment within 24 hours of their hemorrhagic attacks. Results : Serum CRP levels peaked on the 3rd postoperative day. There were significant differences between the vasospasm group and the non-vasospasm group on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day. There were significant differences between the vasospasm group and the non-vasospasm group on the 3rd day in the mean middle cerebral artery velocities on TCD. Conclusion : Patients with high levels of CRP on the 1st postoperative day and high velocity of mean TCD on the 3rd postoperative day may require closer observation to monitor for the development of vasospasm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.842-848
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• 2001

Objectives : The mortality rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) has been reduced recently due to refinement of microsurgical technique and improved perioperative management. Also, many survivors of SAH show excellent neurological recoveries. However, we found that a high proportion of the survivors do not fully regain their premorbid status in cognitive and memory function. Object of this study is to evaluate which factors might influence on cognitive and memory impairment in ruptured aneurysmal SAH patients. Methods : In this prospective study, a series of 66 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) from 1996 to 1998, most of whom had a "good" or "fair" neurological outcome, were assessed with various tests of cognition and memory function. All patients underwent clipping operation by pterional approach. Right side approach was performed in 16 case and left 21 cases. K-WAIS(Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) was used as method of cognition and memory function test. The time interval between SAH and assessment varied between 4 months and 8 months, averaging 6.2 months. Statistical analyses were carried out for each test score to see whether aneurysm site(A-com : non A-com), route of approach, age and sex, vasospasm, Hunt-Hess grade and Fisher CT group at admission, Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) at discharge affect cognitive and memory function. Results : Aneurysm site was not shown to be associated with performance on any test, and the initial grade (Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher CT group) of SAH and vasospasm had only minimal predictive values. The grade at discharge( GOS) was proved to be the best predictor of impairment of cognition and memory function within 1 year after operation. Conclusion : The authors conclude that the diffuse effects of SAH are more important than focal neuropathology in relation to cognitive impairment in this group of patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.119-123
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• 2010

Objective : Aneurysmal rebleeding is a major cause of death and disability. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of rebleeding, and the factors related with patient's outcome. Methods : During a period of 12 years, from September 1995 to August 2007, 492 consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) underwent surgery at our institution. We reviewed the patient's clinical records, radiologic findings, and possible factors inducing rebleeding. Also, we statistically analyzed various factors between favorable outcome group (FG) and unfavorable outcome group (UG) in the rebleeding patients. Results : Rebleeding occurred in 38 (7.7%) of 492 patients. Male gender, location of aneurysm (anterior communicating artery) were statistically significant between rebleeding group and non-rebleeding group (p=0.01 and p=0.04, respectively). Rebleeding occurred in 26 patients (74.3%) within 2 hours from initial attack. There were no statistically significant factors between FG and UG. However, time interval between initial SAH to rebleeding was shorter in the UG compared to FG (FG=28.71 hrs, UG=2.9 hrs). Conclusion : Rebleeding occurs more frequently in the earlier period after initial SAH. Thus, careful management in the earlier period after SAH and early obliteration of aneurysm will be necessary.