• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.241-244
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• 2011

Sparganosis is a rare parasitic infection affecting various organs, including the central nervous system, especially the lumbar epidural space. This report describes the identification of disease and different strategies of treatments with preoperative information. A 42-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of urinary incontinence and impotence. He had a history of ingesting raw frogs 40 years ago. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed an intramedullary nodular mass at conus medullaris and severe inflammation in the cauda equina. A 51-year-old woman was admitted with acute pain in the left inguinal area. We observed a lesion which seemed to be a tumor of the lumbar epidural space on MR imaging. She also had a history of ingesting inadequately cooked snakes 10 years ago. In the first patient, mass removal was attempted through laminectomy and parasite infection was identified during intra-operative frozen biopsy. Total removal could not be performed because of severe arachnoiditis and adhesion. We therefore decided to terminate the operation and final histology confirmed dead sparganum infection. We also concluded further surgical trial for total removal of the dead worm and inflammatory grannulation totally. However, after seeing another physician at different hospital, he was operated again which resulted in worsening of pain and neurological deficit. In the second patient, we totally removed dorsal epidural mass. Final histology and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed living sparganum infection and her pain disappeared. Although the treatment of choice is surgical resection of living sparganum with inflammation, the attempt to remove dead worm and adhesive granulation tissue may cause unwanted complications to the patients. Therefore, the result of preoperative ELISA, as well as the information from image and history, must be considered as important factors to decide whether a surgery is necessary or not.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2008

Objective : The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and surgical outcome of the conus medullaris tumors. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients who underwent surgery for conus medullaris tumor from August 1986 to July 2007. We analyzed clinical manifestation, preoperative MRI findings, extent of surgical resection, histopathologic type, adjuvant therapy, and outcomes. Results : There were ependymoma (13), hemangioblastoma (3), lipoma (3), astrocytoma (3), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) (2), mature teratoma (1), and capillary hemangioma (1) on histopathologic type. Leg pain was the most common symptom and was seen in 80.8% of patients. Pain or sensory change in the saddle area was seen in 50% of patients and 2 patients had severe pain in the perineum and genitalia. Gross total or complete tumor resection was obtained in 80.8% of patients. On surgical outcome. modified JOA score worsened in 26.9% of patients, improved in 34.6%, and remained stable in 38.5%. The mean VAS score was improved from 5.4 to 1.8 among 21 patients who had lower back pain and leg pain. Conclusion : The surgical outcome of conus medullaris tumor mainly depends on preoperative neurological condition and pathological type. The surgical treatment of conus medullaris tumor needs understanding the anatomical and functional characteristics of conus meudllaris tumor for better outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.501-506
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• 2013

Objective : Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective means of treatment of chronic neuropathic pain from failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Because the success of trial stimulation is an essential part of SCS, we investigated factors associated with success of trial stimulation. Methods : Successful trial stimulation was possible in 26 of 44 patients (63.6%) who underwent insertion of electrodes for the treatment of chronic pain from FBSS. To investigate factors associated with successful trial stimulation, patients were classified into two groups (success and failure in trial). We investigated the following factors : age, sex, predominant pain areas (axial, limb, axial combined with limbs), number of operations, duration of preoperative pain, type of electrode (cylindrical/paddle), predominant type of pain (nociceptive, neuropathic, mixed), degree of sensory loss in painful areas, presence of motor weakness, and preoperative Visual Analogue Scale. Results : There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, degree of pain, number of operations, and duration of pain (p>0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that the type of electrode and presence of severe sensory deficits were significantly associated with the success of trial stimulation (p<0.05). However, the remaining variable, sex, type of pain, main location of pain, degree of pain duration, degree of sensory loss, and presence of motor weakness, were not associated with the trial success of SCS for FBSS. Conclusion : Trial stimulation with paddle leads was more successful. If severe sensory deficits occur in the painful dermatomes in FBSS, trial stimulation were less effective.

• 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.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.294-298
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• 2009

Purpose: The pharyngeal flap is one of the popular surgical method to treat the problem of velopharyngeal dysfunction. This study evaluated speech outcomes of patients who underwent superiorly based pharyngeal flap surgery based on timing of surgery. Methods: A restrospective review of 50 patients who underwent pharyngeal flap surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency between September 1996 and January 2008 was undertaken. Thirty patients with an available preoprative and postoperative speech assessments with at least 6 months of follow-up were included in this study. We checked out the significance of speech improvement after surgery analysing preoperative and postoperative scoring of speech assessment. We also investigated the direct relationship between the age at surgery and the degree of speech improvement, and the improvement score in different age groups. Results: The mean score of preoperative speech was $52.6{\pm}7.4points$ and postoperative speech was $58.6{\pm}6.5points$, which presented significant postoperative speech improvement with an average of 5.9 points(p<0.01). There was a significant inverse relationship between the age at operation and speech improvement degree(p<0.01, r = -0.54). Comparing the age groups, the age group of 4 to 5 years presented statistically significant speech improvement(p<0.01). Conclusion: we propose that all patients indicated should take pharyngeal flap irrespective of age. In this study, the younger the age at surgery, the higher degree of speech improvement, for which we suggest that surgical approach should be undertaken as early as possible, especially younger than age 5 years.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.404-410
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• 2020

Background Some patients who need surgery refuse a blood transfusion because of their religious beliefs or concerns about blood-borne infections. In recent years, bloodless surgery has been performed successfully in many procedures, and is therefore of increasing interest in orthognathic surgery. Methods Ten Jehovah's Witnesses who visited our bloodless surgery center for orthognathic surgery participated in this study. To maintain hemoglobin (Hb) levels above 10 g/dL before surgery, recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) was subcutaneously administered and iron supplements were intravenously administered. During surgery, acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) and induced hypotensive anesthesia were used. To elevate the Hb levels to >10 g/dL after surgery, a similar method to the preoperative approach was used. Results The 10 patients comprised three men and seven women. Their average Hb level at the first visit was 11.1 g/dL. With treatment according to our protocol, the average preoperative Hb level rose to 12.01 g/dL, and the average Hb level on postoperative day 1 was 10.01 g/dL. No patients needed a blood transfusion, and all patients were discharged without any complications. Conclusions This study presents a way to manage patients who refuse blood transfusions while undergoing orthognathic surgery. rEPO and iron supplementation were used to maintain Hb levels above 10 g/dL. During surgery, blood loss was minimized by a meticulous procedure and induced hypotensive anesthesia, and intravascular volume was maintained by ANH. Our practical approach to orthognathic surgery for Jehovah's Witnesses can be applied to the management of all patients who refuse blood transfusions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.289-295
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• 1992

We evaluated the correlationship between the predicted defect size at preoperative examination and the actual defect size at operation room, by examining 69 cases of ventricular septal defect operated at the deparment of Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery, Kyungpook University Hospital from January 1988 to December 1990. We excluded cases associated with other cardiac anomalies. Of the 69 cases, 39 are male and 30 female, forming 1.3:1 sex ratio in males favor. Their age range from 6 months to 16 year, and 4.3 on the average Their body weights are from 6 to 45kg and 15 on the average. According to Soto`s classification, perimembranous type costitutes 42 cases[61%], doubly committed subarterial type 23 cases[33%], and muscular type 4 cases[6%]. The average diameter of defect size is 8.0$\pm$3.5mm measured in 2D-echocardiogram, 5.6$\pm$3.4mm in angiogram, and 7.4$\pm$4.4mm in operative field. There is statistically significant correlation between the size from 2D-echocardiogram and actual defect size[p=0.001], and no significant difference between the two. Especially in the cases without anurysmal formation, they are nearly the same. Cardiothoracic ratio, pulmonary to systemic flow ratio, pressure ratio and resistance ratio also have statistically significant correlation. Main pumonary artery to descending aorta diameter ratio is correlated with the actual defect size. There is statistically significant correlation between the size from angiogram and actual defect size with some difference.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.787-791
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• 1998

Materials and methods: Between 1979 and 1996, 27 patients with primary cardiac tumor underwent surgery at Catholic University Medical College. Mean age of patient was 45.1${\pm}$3.03 ranging from 21 to 67 years old. Twenty-four cases were myxomas, 2 cases were chondrosarcoma, and remained case was angiosarcoma. Diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography, cardiac angiography, CT scan, and MRI. The most common site of tumor origin was fossa ovalis limbus area(17cases:63%). A biatrial operative approach was commonly used in 15 cases and the tumor was removed through left atriotomy site. Complete excision of the tumor with a cuff of normal tissue was performed. All heart chambers were carefully explored for evidence of multicentric myxomas or other tumor debris. Most of the patients were improved on postoperative period compared to preoperative NYHA functional class. Results: There was one operative death due to low cardiac output syndrome. Follow up period was 3 months to 17 years. There was 2 late deaths due to local recurrences. Conclusion: complete surgical excion is important for increasing cure rate. Malignancy cannot be ruled out even though preoperative echocardiography suggests benign nature. Chest CT or MRI is effective for further evalution in addition to echocardiography. In suspicious of malignancy, more extensive resection is essential and postoperative chemotheraphy or radiotherapy is useful.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.510-517
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• 1988

With the ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus by Gross in 1938, surgeons first entered the field of congenital heart disease, and treatment of the patent ductus is representative of the rapid advance made in thoracic surgery in the last 40 years. We have had clinical experiences about 36 cases of this in the department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular surgery, Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje medical college from March 1891 to June 1987. And the results were summarized as follows. 1. There were 11 males, 25 females. The age range of the patients were from 8 months to 36 years with the mean age of 7.9 years. 2. The chief complaints of the patients on admission were frequent URI[50%], dyspnea on exertion[29.8%], chest pain[11.1% k 1%], growth retardation[2%], cough[2.8%], anorexia[2.8%]. But there were 11 patients[30.6%] having no subjective symptoms. 3. In auscultation, the usual continuous machinery murmur was noticed in 30 patients[83.3%], only systolic murmur in 6[16.7%]. 4. In the preoperative chest P-A views, there were noticed cardiomegaly in 20 cases, enlarged pulmonary conus and / or pulmonary plethora in 22 patients[61.1%]. 5. In the preoperative EGG findings, there were noticed pattern of LVH in 8 patients[22.2`], RVH in 2[5.6%], BVH in 4[11.5%] and normal in 19[52.89o]. 6. The size of PDA[mean] was 9.5 mm[length] and 8.8 mm[width], the range of length was from 4 to 29 mm and the range of width was from 4 to 18 mm. 7. There were noticed 6 cases which were combined with other anomalies[VSD in 2 cases, Coarctation of aorta in 2, Mitral regurgitation in 1, and AP window in 1]. 8. On operation, simple ligation of the ductus was performed in 30 cases[83.3%], division and suture-ligation in 5[13.9%]. 9. Postoperative complications were noticed in 4 cases[pneumonia in one case, wound infection or disruption in 3], but there were no mortality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1044-1047
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• 1997

Pulmonary blastoma are a family of tumors in which the glands or mesenchyme composing the neoplasm are primitive or emb yonal in appearance. We report a pulmonary blastoma occurring in a 31 years old man. An abnormal shadow was detected in the right lower lung field in a routine chest X-ray film. The preoperative imaging films showed about a 5cm sized well circumscribed solid tumor of the right lung. A preoperative clinical diagnosis of primary lung cancer was considerd. The operative field showed that the hard, round mass, 6$\times$5$\times$4cm in diameter was localized in middle lobe of the right lung, and partially adhered to the upper lobe, pericardium and diaphragm. Right middle lobe lobectomy, right upper lobe wedge resection, partial pericardiectomy and diaphragm resection with plication was performed with radical Iymph node dissection. Histopathologic diagnosis was pulmonary blastoma (Biphasic blastoma). It is considered that the prognosis of biphasic blastoma is worse than WDFA(well differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma). There are no other available treatments except for surgical resection. It is suggeste that it is necessary to collect as many cases as possible, to make definite classifications and to examine the clinical course and prognosis of pulmonary blastoma.