• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 2009

Schwannoma is a rare intramedullary tumor. There has been no reported case about interval aggravation on follow-up MR imaging. We report initial and follow-up MR findings of a thoracic intramedullary schwannoma with syringomyelia and edema in a patient without neurofibromatosis. Intramedullary schwannoma should be included for differential diagnosis of intramedullary tumor even though followup MR imaging shows interval increase in size of the tumor and extent of associated edema to mimic malignancy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.130-133
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• 2007

Neurenteric cysts are rare congenital lesions of the spine that are lined with endodermal epithelium. Their most common location is the cervico-dorsal region, and the mass usually lies ventral to the spinal cord. However the conus medullaris area location is an uncommon location. Neurenteric cysts are best treated by decompression and as near total excision of cyst membrane as possible. We report a case of a 7 year-old-girl with a neurenteric cyst in the conus medullaris. The patient had a history of meningitis and a gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] showed an intramedullary mass lesion in the conus medullaris with syringomyelia. There was no associated bone or soft-tissue anomaly. The mass was subtotally removed through a posterior approach. However 4 months later, meningeal irritation signs developed and MRI showed recurrence of the cyst. At the second operation, the cystic membrane was totally removed and the patient's neurological symptoms improved postoperatively. We reports a case of recurred neurenteric cyst occurred in unusual location with the review of literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1023-1027
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• 2001

Hemangioblastomas are rare benign tumor of the central nervous system that commonly occur in the posterior fossa around the 4th ventricle. In case of von Hippel-Lindau disease, hemangioblastomas involve multiple regions such as cerebellum, spinal cord and brainstem but, rarely show simultaneous involvement of cerebellum and spinal cord. We have experienced a case of multiple hemangioblastomas that were located at the cerebellum, cervical cord and conus medullaris and also had multiple lesions that a part of von Hippel-Lindau disease ; retinal angioma, syringomyelia, multiple cyst on kidney and pancreas, renal cell carcinoma on left kidney. Hemangioblastomas on cerebellum and spinal cord were removed totally, retinal angioma was treated with laser photocoagulation and renal cell carcinoma was also totally excised. The authors report a case of von Hippel-Lindau disease had multiple located hemangioblastomas on cerebellum, cervical cord and conus medullaris with review of literature.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2023

The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) has recently been considered a safer alternative and less invasive approach than the traditional transoral approach because the complications associated with the latter are avoided or minimized. Here, we present two challenging cases of CVJ pathologies. The first case involved os odontoideum associated with anterior displacement of the occipitocervical junction where the EEA was used, followed by C0-C1-C2 fusion using a posterior approach to decompress the CVJ, and was complicated by rhinorrhea and Candida albicans meningitis. The second case involved basilar invagination with syringomyelia previously treated using a posterior approach, where aggravation of neuropathic symptoms required combined treatment with EEA and occipitocervical fusion of C0-C2-C3-C4, with the postoperative course challenged by operative site infection requiring drainage with debridement and antibiotic therapy. The EEA is an alternative approach for accessing the CVJ in well-selected patients. Knowledge of EEA complications is crucial for the optimal care of patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.454-461
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• 2015

Objective : In this study, we aimed to investigate the underlying ethiological factors in chiari malformation (CM) type-I (CMI) via performing volumetric and morphometric length-angle measurements. Methods : A total of 66 individuals [33 patients (20-65 years) with CMI and 33 control subjects] were included in this study. In sagittal MR images, tonsillar herniation length and concurrent anomalies were evaluated. Supratentorial, infratentorial, and total intracranial volumes were measured using Cavalieri method. Various cranial distances and angles were used to evaluate the platybasia and posterior cranial fossa (PCF) development. Results : Tonsillar herniation length was measured $9.09{\pm}3.39mm$ below foramen magnum in CM group. Tonsillar herniation/concurrent syringomyelia, concavity/defect of clivus, herniation of bulbus and fourth ventricle, basilar invagination and craniovertebral junction abnormality rates were 30.3, 27, 18, 2, 3, and 3 percent, respectively. Absence of cisterna magna was encountered in 87.9% of the patients. Total, IT and ST volumes and distance between Chamberlain line and tip of dens axis, Klaus index, clivus length, distance between internal occipital protuberance and opisthion were significantly decreased in patient group. Also in patient group, it was found that Welcher basal angle/Boogard angle increased and tentorial slope angle decreased. Conclusion : Mean cranial volume and length-angle measurement values significantly decreased and there was a congenital abnormality association in nearly 81.5 percent of the CM cases. As a result, it was concluded that CM ethiology can be attributed to multifactorial causes. Moreover, congenital defects can also give rise to this condition.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 2001

Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) account for only $3.4\%$ of symptomatic metastases to the spinal cord. The survival of patients with ISCM is characteristically short, often no longer than 2 months, due to a rapid neurologic deterioration and the presence of widespread metastases, Including metastases to the brain. We report two cases of ISCM arising from primary sphenoid sinus carcinoma and primary lung cancer along with a review of the literature. The case of ISCM from the primary sphenoid sinus is the third case of secondary syringomyelia due to ISCM In the world literature, and ISCM from the primary lung cancer is the first case reported in Korea. One case showed a slow progression of symptoms and a longer survival (26 months after the radiotherapy to the spine), and the other showed a rapid deterioration of symptoms with a shorter survival. More effective palliation can be achieved if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage when the neurologic deficits are still reversible.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1417-1421
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• 2002

Scoliosis describes a lateral curvature of the spine and is often associated with cosmetic and functional impairments due to severe deformity of the spine. The incidence of adolescent scoliosis is 2-4% of children between 10 and 16 years of age. Eighty five percent of them are idiopathic, in which the most common type of scoliosis is right side-bending. In addition, it is classified into congenital, and secondary scoliosis such as neuromuscular disease and neurofibromatosis. Congenital scoliosis is associated with abnormalities of urinary system(20%), congenital heart diseases(15%), and other abnormalities(10%) such as syringomyelia. We experienced a case of scoliosis by a foreign body(a pencil) in the colon which has never been reported up to date. A brief review of the literature was made.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.10
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• 2021

Background: Diseases related to cerebrospinal fluid flow, such as hydrocephalus, syringomyelia, and Chiari malformation, are often found in small dogs. Although studies in human medicine have revealed a correlation with cerebrospinal fluid flow in these diseases by magnetic resonance imaging, there is little information and no standard data for normal dogs. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to obtain cerebrospinal fluid flow velocity data from the cerebral aqueduct and subarachnoid space at the foramen magnum in healthy beagle dogs. Methods: Six healthy beagle dogs were used in this experimental study. The dogs underwent phase-contrast and time-spatial labeling inversion pulse magnetic resonance imaging. Flow rate variations in the cerebrospinal fluid were observed using sagittal time-spatial labeling inversion pulse images. The pattern and velocity of cerebrospinal fluid flow were assessed using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging within the subarachnoid space at the foramen magnum level and the cerebral aqueduct. Results: In the ventral aspect of the subarachnoid space and cerebral aqueduct, the cerebrospinal fluid was characterized by a bidirectional flow throughout the cardiac cycle. The mean ± SD peak velocities through the ventral and dorsal aspects of the subarachnoid space and the cerebral aqueduct were 1.39 ± 0.13, 0.32 ± 0.12, and 0.76 ± 0.43 cm/s, respectively. Conclusions: Noninvasive visualization of cerebrospinal fluid flow movement with magnetic resonance imaging was feasible, and a reference dataset of cerebrospinal fluid flow peak velocities was obtained through the cervical subarachnoid space and cerebral aqueduct in healthy dogs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.585-591
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• 2021

Objective : Filum transection is one of the most commonly performed operative procedure in pediatric neurosurgery. However, the clinical and pathological features as well as the surgical indication are not well-established. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of patients who underwent transection of the filum during the last 10 years in a single institute. Methods : A total of 82 patients underwent transection of the filum during the period. As a general rule, we performed the transection in patients who are symptomatic or have abnormality in the urologic or neuromuscular evaluations. There were exceptions as asymptomatic patients who only fit the definition of thickened filum (width greater than 2.0 mm or conus level below L3 vertebral body) were operated by parent's wish or surgeon's preference according to radiological findings, etc. Results : Seventy-six out of 82 patients had fibrous tissue in the pathologic specimen of filum. Interestingly, patients who had glial cells were more correlated with no preoperative syrinx, and no progression of syrinx even for those who did have syrinx initially. Also, larger percentage of symptomatic patients had peripheral nerve twigs than asymptomatic patients. No difference in conus level or thickness of filum was found between patients with or without preoperative syrinx. Significantly more patients with syrinx (56%) were chosen to be operated without any symptom or abnormality in study i.e., solely based on radiological findings than those without syrinx (21%). The surgical outcome for syrinx was favorable, as all but one patient had either improved or static syrinx. The exceptional case had increase in size due to the upward displacement of the proximal end of the cut filum. Conclusion : This study evaluated the pathological, clinical, radiological features of patients who underwent transection of the filum. Interesting correlations between pathological findings and clinical features were found. Excellent outcome regarding preoperative syrinx was also shown.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.430-438
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• 2022

Objective : Dermoid cysts are uncommon in spinal cord tumors, and the phenomenon of their spontaneous rupture into the syrinx cavity is quite rare. We aimed to analyze the imaging characteristics and etiologies, and propose some surgical strategies, for this uncommon phenomenon. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 14 cases with spinal dermoid cysts that ruptured into the cervical and thoracic syrinx cavity. There were six male and eight female cases, aged 21 to 46 years, who had lipid droplets in the syrinx cavity from C1 to L3. The dermoid cysts were always located at the conus. Based on patients' complaints, clinical manifestations, and imaging results, we adopted tumor excision and/or syrinx cavity aspiration in one stage or multiple stages. Results : Three patients had only a syrinx cavity aspiration surgery due to a history of dermoid cyst excision. Eight patients had dermoid cyst resection and syrinx cavity aspiration in one stage. One patient was operated upon in two stages due to the development of new symptoms at nine months follow-up. Two patients underwent only tumor resection since they did not show similar symptoms or signs caused by the cervicothoracic syrinx. The axial magnetic resonance imaging indicated that the lipid droplets were always not at the center but were eccentric. The clinical effect was satisfactory during the follow-up period in this group. Conclusion : The lipid droplets filled the spinal syrinx cavity, not entirely confined to the central canal. Based on the chief complaints and associated signs, we adopted different surgical strategies and had satisfactory clinical results.