• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.60 no.5
• /
• pp.584-590
• /
• 2017

Objective : Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children under age 24 months has characteristic features because the brain at this age is rapidly growing and sutures are opened. Moreover, children this age are completely dependent on their parents. We analyzed the demographic data and risk factors for outcomes in TBI patients in this age group to elucidate their clinical characteristics. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiological films of children under 24 months who were admitted to Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2013 for TBI. Specifically, we analyzed age, cause of injury, initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, radiological diagnosis, seizure, hydrocephalus, subdural hygroma, and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score, and we divided outcomes into good (GOS 4-5) or poor (GOS 1-3). We identified the risk factors for post-traumatic seizure (PTS) and outcomes using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results : The total number of patients was 60, 39 males and 21 females. Most common age group was between 0 to 5 months, and the median age was 6 months. Falls were the most common cause of injury (n=29, 48.3%); among them, 15 were falls from household furniture such as beds and chairs. Ten patients (16.7%) developed PTS, nine in one week; thirty-seven patients (61.7%) had skull fractures. Forty-eight patients had initial GCS scores of 13-15, 8 had scores of 12-8, and 4 had scored 3-7. The diagnoses were as follows : 26 acute subdural hematomas, 8 acute epidural hematomas, 7 focal contusional hemorrhages, 13 subdural hygromas, and 4 traumatic intracerebral hematomas larger than 2 cm in diameter. Among them, two patients underwent craniotomy for hematoma removal. Four patients were victims of child abuse, and all of them had PTS. Fifty-five patients improved to good-to-moderate disability. Child abuse, acute subdural hematoma, and subdural hygroma were risk factors for PTS in univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis found that the salient risk factor for a poor outcome was initial GCS on admission. Conclusion : The most common cause of traumatic head injury in individuals aged less than 24 months was falls, especially from household furniture. Child abuse, moderate to severe TBI, acute subdural hematoma, and subdural hygroma were risk factors for PTS. Most of the patients recovered with good outcomes, and the risk factor for a poor outcome was initial mental status.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.231-239
• /
• 2000

Objectives : A postoperative hydrocephalus is compromises the clinical outcome of patients with aneurysmal clippings as one of the major complications of SAH. Subdural hygroma is often complicated after aneurysmal clippings, which subsides spontaneously as simple hygroma, or progresses to shunt-dependent hydrocephalus (SDHC). To predict development of SDHC from the hygroma, and to improve clinical outcome of patients with aneurysmal clippings, we analyzed clinical predisposing factors between 2 subgroups, simple hygroma and SDHC. Patients and Methods : A retrospective study of 232 consecutive cases of clipped aneurysmal patient was undertaken in our hospital for last two years. The 46 patients(19.8%) developed hygromas after aneurysmal clippings. There were 22 cases with simple hygroma(9.5%), and 24 patients with SDHC(10.3%). Comparison of 2 subgroups was made for various clinical and radiological factors. Results : Older age(p＝0.03), poor preoperative clinical grade(p＝0.01), high Fisher grade(p＝0.005), large amount of hygroma(p＝0.014) and increased size of lateral ventricle ipsilateral to hygroma(p＝0.001) were correlated significantly with SDHC. There was no statistical significance in sex, aneurysmal location and presence of acute preoperative ventricular dilatation between 2 subgroups. Conclusion : The clinical factors, such as older age, poor preoperative clinical grade, high Fisher grade, large amount of hygroma and increased size of lateral ventricle ipsilateral to hygroma showed statistical sinificance for differentiating SDHC from simple hygroma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.58 no.3
• /
• pp.254-261
• /
• 2015

Objective : The present study aims to investigate 1) the risk factors for hydrocephalus and subdural hygroma (SDG) occurring after decompressive craniectomy (DC), and 2) the association between the type of SDG and hydrocephalus. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological features of 92 patients who underwent DC procedures after severe head injuries. The risk factors for developing post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) and SDG were analyzed. Types of SDGs were classified according to location and their relationship with hydrocephalus was investigated. Results : Ultimately, 26.09% (24/92) of these patients developed PTH. In the univariate analyses, hydrocephalus was statically associated with large bone flap diameter, large craniectomy area, bilateral craniectomy, intraventricular hemorrhage, contralateral or interhemisheric SDGs, and delayed cranioplasty. However, in the multivariate analysis, only large craniectomy area (adjusted OR=4.66; p=0.0239) and contralateral SDG (adjusted OR=6.62; p=0.0105) were significant independent risk factors for developing hydrocephalus after DC. The incidence of overall SDGs after DC was 55.43% (51/92). Subgroup analysis results were separated by SDG types. Statistically significant associations between hydrocephalus were found in multivariate analysis in the contralateral (adjusted OR=5.58; p=0.0074) and interhemispheric (adjusted OR=17.63; p=0.0113) types. Conclusion : For patients who are subjected to DC following severe head trauma, hydrocephalus is associated with a large craniectomy area and contralateral SDG. For SDGs after DC that occur on the interhemispherical or controlateral side of the craniectomy, careful follow-up monitoring for the potential progression into hydrocephalus is needed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2016

Chronic subdural hematomas (CSHs) are generally regarded to be a traumatic lesion. It was regarded as a stroke in 17th century, an inflammatory disease in 19th century. From 20th century, it became a traumatic lesion. CSH frequently occur after a trauma, however, it cannot occur when there is no enough subdural space even after a severe head injury. CSH may occur without trauma, when there is sufficient subdural space. The author tried to investigate trends in the causation of CSH. By a review of literature, the author suggested a different view on the causation of CSH. CSH usually originated from either a subdural hygroma or an acute subdural hematoma. Development of CSH starts from the separation of the dural border cell (DBC) layer, which induces proliferation of DBCs with production of neomembrane. Capillaries will follow along the neomembrane. Hemorrhage would occur into the subdural fluid either by tearing of bridge veins or repeated microhemorrhage from the neomembrane. That is the mechanism of hematoma enlargement. Trauma or bleeding tendency may precipitate development of CSH, however, it cannot lead CSH, if there is no sufficient subdural space. The key determinant for development of CSH is a sufficient subdural space, in other words, brain atrophy. The most common and universal cause of brain atrophy is the aging. Modifying Virchow's description, CSH is sometimes traumatic, but most often caused by degeneration of the brain. Now, it is reasonable that degeneration of brain might play pivotal role in development of CSH in the aged persons.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.355-358
• /
• 2011

Objective : Subdural hygroma (SDG) is a complication occurring after head trauma that may occur secondary to decompressive craniectomy (DC). However, the mechanism underlying SDG formation is not fully understood. Also, the relationship between the operative technique of DC or the decompressive effect and the occurrence and pathophysiology of SDG has not been clarified. Purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of SDG after DC in our series. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2008, DC was performed in 85 patients who suffered from traumatic brain injury. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological features. For comparative analysis, we divided the patients into 2 groups : one group with SDG after craniectomy (19 patients; 28.4% of the total sample), the other group without SDG (48 patients; 71.6%). The risk factors for developing SDG were then analyzed. Results : The mean Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores at discharge of the groups with and without SDG were 2.8 and 3.1, respectively (p<0.0001). Analysis of radiological factors showed that a midline shift in excess of 5 mm on CT scans was present in 19 patients (100%) in the group with SDG and in 32 patients (66.7%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). An accompanying subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was seen in 17 patients (89.5%) in the group with SDG and in 29 patients (60.4%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). Delayed hydrocephalus accompanied these findings in 10 patients (52.6%) in the group with SDG, versus 5 patients (10.4%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). On CT, compression of basal cisterns was observed in 14 members (73.7%) in the group with SDG and in 18 members of the group without SDG (37.5%) (p<0.007). Furthermore, tearing of the arachnoid membrane, as observed on CT, was more common in all patients in the group with SDG (100%) than in the group without SDG (31 patients; 64.6%) (p<0.05). Conclusion : GOS showed statistically significant difference in the clinical risk factors for SDG between the group with SDG and the group without SDG. Analysis of radiological factors indicated that a midline shifting exceeding 5 mm, SAH, delayed hydrocephalus, compression of basal cisterns, and tearing of the arachnoid membrane were significantly more common in patients with SDG.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.183-186
• /
• 2017

A 7-year-old boy, diagnosed with an arachnoid cyst and subdural effusion on initial MRI, was admitted with left limb weakness and no history of head trauma. A subsequent follow-up MRI showed different stages of hematoma within multilayered enhancing membranes and in the arachnoid cyst, which was separated by the cerebrospinal fluid cleft. Craniotomy and fenestration of the cyst wall and hematoma removal were performed. The patient was diagnosed as a having a hemorrhagic rupture of an arachnoid cyst into the intradural space, probably via some one-way valve-like defect, based on the MRI and surgical findings. The MRI features and possible mechanism of this rare disease are discussed within the literature review.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.301-306
• /
• 1994

The purpose of this study was to compare Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT with MRI after acute and subacute closed-head injury. There were thirty two focal lesions in all cases of these. Fifteen lesions(47%) were seen on both MRI and SPECT. Fourteen lesions(44%) were seen only on MRI. Three lesions(9%) were seen only on SPECT. Of the 14 lesions seen only on MRI, one was epidural hematoma, two were subdural hematoma, three were subdural hygroma, one was intracerebral hematoma, four were contusion, and three were diffuse axonal injuries. SPECT detected 52% of the focal lesions found on MRI. For the detection of lesions, MRI was superior to SPECT in fourteen cases, while SPECT was superior to MRI in three cases. In conclusion, there was a tendency that detection rate of the traumatic lesions was higher on MRI, but the SPECT could delineate more wide extent of lesion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.1050-1054
• /
• 2000

Objective : The incidence of head injury has been increasing in the rural area. The author investigated the clinical features and difficulties in care of the acute head-injured patients in this area. Method and Material : The authors performed a retrospective review of radiological data and clinical records in patients with mild to moderate head injury. Cause, type of craniocerebral injury, delayed intracranial lesions, complications, its relation to alcohol abuse, and outcome were analyzed. Results : In total of 68 cases, 20(29.4%) victims were associated with acute alcohol intoxication. Motor vehicle accident was the leading cause of head injury and the most common craniocerebral lesion was basilar skull fracture. Eight(11.8%) patients showed delayed radiological and clinical deterioration and 40(58.8%) were followed-up regularly after discharge. The subdural hygroma was commonly noted in the elderly and alcoholics. Causes of thirty events that resulted in an atypical and difficult neurosurgical practice were as follows : delayed admission, premature discharge against doctor's request, refusal of radiological studies and admission, misunderstanding of disease entity, and unreasonable desire of transfer to tertiary hospitals. Inaccurate initial diagnoses were made by emergency doctors in twenty patients. During the course of treatment, there were a few complications such as alcohol withdrawal, acute otitis media, cerebrospinal fistula, facial weakness, and posttraumatic seizure. Outcome was good in 60(88.2%) patients. Conclusion : Most of minor head trauma patients in this series have shown good results, but we have to consider some possible complications and delayed intracranial lesions in these patients that should be managed with special cautions with various kinds of treatment difficulties.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.60 no.3
• /
• pp.301-305
• /
• 2017

Multiloculated hydrocephalus (MLH) is a condition in which patients have multiple, separate abnormal cerebrospinal fluid collections with no communication between them. Despite technical advancements in pediatric neurosurgery, neurological outcomes are poor in these patients and the approach to this pathology remains problematic especially given individual anatomic complexity and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hydrodynamics. A uniform surgical strategy has not yet been developed. Current treatment options for MLH are microsurgical fenestration of separate compartments by open craniotomy or endoscopy, shunt surgery in which multiple catheters are placed in the compartments, and combinations of these modalities. Craniotomy for fenestration allows better visualization of the compartments and membranes, and it can offer easy fenestration or excision of membranes and wide communication of cystic compartments. Hemostasis is more easily achieved. However, because of profound loss of CSF during surgery, open craniotomy is associated with an increased chance of subdural hygroma and/or hematoma collection and shunt malfunction. Endoscopy has advantages such as minimal invasiveness, avoidance of brain retraction, less blood loss, faster operation time, and shorter hospital stay. Disadvantages are also similar to those of open craniotomy. Intraoperative bleeding can usually be easily managed by irrigation or coagulation. However, handling of significant intraoperative bleeding is not as easy. Currently, endoscopic fenestration tends to be performed more often as initial treatment and open craniotomy may be useful in patients requiring repeated endoscopic procedures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.272-275
• /
• 2012

Objective : Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are generally regarded as benign tumors with typical radiologic and pathologic findings. However, they sometimes have unusual findings. We have analyzed radiologic findings and pathologic growth patterns on CPPs. Methods : The study group included 5 male and 5 female patients (age range, 3 months to 58 years : median, 29 years). The study group included 3 pediatric and 7 adult patients. All patients underwent surgery; 9 patients had a gross total resection and 1 patient had a subtotal resection. We analyzed the radiologic findings (location, size, mottle-like appearance, enhancement, calcifications, and hydrocephalus) and pathologic growth patterns (typical papillary, papillary and solid, and papillary and tubular). Results : The median follow-up duration was 21.3 months (range, 4-47.8 months). There were no recurrences after initial treatment. All patients had benign CPPs. Pediatric CPPs were 3.2 cm masses (range, 2.7-4 cm) with homogeneous enhancement and a mottle-like appearance, which pathologically showed the papillary growth pattern. Hydrocephalus was present in all pediatric patients. Postoperatively, subdural hygroma had occurred in two patients. In adults, CPPs were located in the fourth ventricle in 6 patients and suprasellar area in 1 patient. The size varied from 0.5-4.2 cm. Hydrocephalus and calcifications occurred in 3 and 4 patients, respectively. Three patients showed the heterogeneous enhancement without a mottle-like appearance and pathologically showed combined papillary and solid growth in 2 patients and papillary and tubular growth in one. Postoperatively, two patients with large masses had injuries of the brainstem and underwent shunt procedures for aggravation of hydrocephalus. Conclusion : CPPs may show unusual radiologic findings, which preoperatively give the difficulty to be differentiated from other tumors. CPPs with unusual radiologic findings showed the combined pathologic growth patterns.