• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.363-366
• /
• 2010

Vertebral artery (VA) injury is a rare and serious complication of cervical spine surgery; this is due to difficulty in controlling hemorrhage, which can result in severe hypotension and cardiac arrest, and uncertain neurologic consequences. The authors report an extremely rare case of a 56-year-old woman who underwent direct surgical repair by end-to-end anatomosis of an unanticipated VA injury during C2 pedicle screwing. Postoperatively, the patient showed no neurological deterioration and computed tomography angiography of the VA demonstrated normal blood flow. Although direct occlusion of an injured VA by surgical ligation or endovascular embolization has been used for management of an unanticipated VA injury during surgery, these methods may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, despite its technical demand, microvascular primary repair can restore normal blood flow and minimizes the risk of immediate or delayed ischemic complications. Here we report an iatrogenic VA injury during C2 pedicle screwing, which was successfully treated by end-to-end anastomosis.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.67-70
• /
• 2015

We propose an automatic vessel segmentation method of vertebral arteries in CT angiography using combined circular and cylindrical model fitting. First, to generate multi-segmented volumes, whole volume is automatically divided into four segments by anatomical properties of bone structures along z-axis of head and neck. To define an optimal volume circumscribing vertebral arteries, anterior-posterior bounding and side boundaries are defined as initial extracted vessel region. Second, the initial vessel candidates are tracked using circular model fitting. Since boundaries of the vertebral arteries are ambiguous in case the arteries pass through the transverse foramen in the cervical vertebra, the circle model is extended along z-axis to cylinder model for considering additional vessel information of neighboring slices. Finally, the boundaries of the vertebral arteries are detected using graph-cut optimization. From the experiments, the proposed method provides accurate results without bone artifacts and eroded vessels in the cervical vertebra.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.131-133
• /
• 2011

We performed a percutaneous vertebroplasty at the compressed L2 vertebral body of a 73-year-old female using a left-sided unilateral extrapedicular approach. She complained severe radiating pain and a tingling sensation in her left leg two hours after the vertebroplasty. Spinal computed tomographic scan showed a large retroperitoneal hematoma, and a subsequent spinal angiography revealed a left L2 segmental artery injury. Bleeding was successfully controlled by endovascular embolization. Recently, extrapedicular approaches have been attempted, allowing for the avoidance of facet and pedicle injury with only a unilateral approach. With this approach, however, the needle punctures the vertebral body directly. Therefore, this procedure carries the potential risk of a spinal segmental artery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.513-516
• /
• 2012

Objective : It is rare that the medial loop in the V2 segment of the vertebral artery (VA) causes compression of the proximal cervical root of the spinal cord without leading to bony erosion and an enlarged foramen. We evaluated the clinical significance and incidence of the medial loop in the V2 segment of the VA. Methods : We reviewed the records from 1000 consecutive patients who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the cervical spine between January 2005 and January 2008. The inclusion criteria were that over a third of the axial aspect of the VA located in the intervertebral foramen was inside the line between the most ventral points of the bilateral lateral mass, and that the ipsilateral proximal root deviated dorsally because of the medial loop of the VA. We excluded cases of bone erosion, a widened foramen at the medial loop of the VA, any bony abnormalities, tumors displacing VA, or vertebral fractures. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively to search for factors of clinical significance. Results : In six patients (0.6%), the VA formed a medial loop that caused compression of the proximal cervical root. One of these patients had the cervical radiculopathy that developed after minor trauma but the others did not present with cervical radiculopathy related to the medial loop of the VA. Conclusion : The medial loop of the VA might have a direct effect on cervical radiculopathy. Therefore, this feature should be of critical consideration in preoperative planning and during surgery.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.49-58
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is examining the effects of appling acupressure to acupuncture points (study group) and Interferential current therapy (ICT) to cervical region (control group) on the cerebral blood flow of 20 tension-type headache patients and the reduction of their headaches. For approaching this examination, clinical research was conducted for three weeks those two groups, each contains 10 patients. Methods : We stimulated 7 acupuncture points for headache with the acupressure (for three weeks) and applied ICT to cervical region. Also we measured VAS (visual analogue scale) and the blood flow of the vertebral arteries with TCD (transcranial doppler ultrasonography). Results : (1) When the left and right vertebral artery of study group was compared each time, significant differences were found after the 1st treatment (p<.001). Also the significant differences were found after 2, 3weeks treatment (p<.05). (2) When the Visual Analog Scale of study group were compared periodically, the significant reductions were found after the 1 week treatments (p<.05). Also the significant differences were found after 2, 3 weeks treatments (p<.001). In the case of the control group, the significant reduction were found after the 2 and 3 weeks treatments (p<.001). Conclusions : The acupressure applied to acupuncture points reduced the headache and increased the ratio of cerebral blood flow.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.82 no.3
• /
• pp.743-748
• /
• 2021

Various anomalous origins of the vertebral arteries (VAs) have been reported. However, anomalous origins of the bilateral VAs arising directly from the aortic arch are extremely rare. We encountered a 60-year-old male who developed sudden-onset right hemiparesis with an incidentally discovered rare origins of the bilateral VAs from aortic arch. CT angiography demonstratedt he right VA originating from the aortic arch distal to the left subclavian artery and left VA originating from the aortic arch between the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. The possible embryological mechanism of this variant was also reviewed. If the VA can not be found in the usual position during the procedure, a rare variant of the VA with anomalous origin should be considered. Understanding these variations is important to avoid unexpected events during endovascular procedures or surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.58 no.6
• /
• pp.499-503
• /
• 2015

Objective : The transradial catheterization (TRC) is becoming widespread, primarily for neurointerventions. Therefore, the evaluation of radial artery puncture in clinical practice and a better understanding of the anatomy are important to improve the safety of neuroendovascular surgery. Methods : Ten formalin-fixed adult Korean cadavers were dissected to expose radial artery (RA), brachial artery (BrA) and subclvian artery (ScA), bilaterally. Vessel lengths and diameters were meaured using a caliper and distance between the specific point of vessels and the anatomical landmarks including the radial styloid process, the medial epicondyle of the humerus, the sternoclavicular joint, and the vertebral artery orifice were also measured. Results : The average length between the radial (RAPS) and the BrA puncture sites (BrAPS) and between the vertebral artery orifice (VAO) and the BrA bifurcation (BrAB) did not differ between sides (p>0.05). The average length between the radial styloid process (RSP) and the RAPS was $13.41{\pm}2.19mm$, and the RSP was $26.85{\pm}2.47mm$ from the median nerve (MN). The mean length between the medial epicondyle (ME) and the BrAPS as $44.23{\pm}5.47mm$, whereas the distance between the ME and the MN was $42.23{\pm}4.77mm$. The average VAO-ScA angle was $70.94{\pm}6.12^{\circ}$, and the length between the ScA junction (SCJ) and the VAO was $60.30{\pm}8.48mm$. Conclusion : This study provides basic anatomical information about the radial artery and the brachial route and can help improving new techniques, selection of size and shape of catheters for TRC. This can help neurointerventionists who adopt a transradial neuroendovascular approach and offers comprehensive and safe care to their patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.332-337
• /
• 2010

Objective : Although a transradial angiography is accepted as the gold standard for cardiovascular procedures, cerebral angiography has been performed via transfemoral approach in most institutions. The purpose of this study is to present our experience concerning the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a transradial approach to cerebral angiography as an alternative to a transfemoral approach. Methods : Between February 2007 and October 2009, a total of 1,240 cerebral angiographies were performed via a transradial approach in a single center. The right radial approach was used as an initial access route. The procedure continued only after the ulnar artery was proven to provide satisfactory collateral perfusion according to two tests (a modified Allen's test and forearm angiography). Results : The procedural success rate was 94.8% with a mean duration of 28 minutes. All supra-aortic vessels were successfully catheterized with a success rate of 100%. The success rates of selective catheterization to the right vertebral artery, right internal carotid artery, left internal carotid artery, and left vertebral artery were 96.1%, 98.6%, 82.6% and 52.2%, respectively. The procedure was performed more than twice in 73 patients (5.9%), including up to 4 times in 2 patients. The radial artery occlusion was found in 4 patients (5.4%) on follow-up cerebral angiography, but no ischemic symptoms were observed in any of the cases. Conclusion : This study suggests that cerebral angiography using a transradial approach can be performed with minimal risk of morbidity. In particular, this procedure might be useful for follow-up angiographies and place less stress on patients.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.231-234
• /
• 2018

A persistent proatlantal artery (PA) is rare. We report a type 1 persistent PA originating from the right external carotid artery (ECA). A 78-year-old woman presented with dizziness. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography showed a persistent PA originating from the right ECA. This persistent PA did not pass through the atlas transverse foramen. The extracranial segment of this artery in the atlas transverse process level had a more lateral position than a normal left vertebral artery. CT angiography well demonstrated the relationship with bony structures and the course of this persistent PA. This anomalous artery in our patient presented as an incidental finding. Surgeon should recognize a persistent PA when performing carotid endarterectomy or ligation of the ECA for avoidance of complication.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.141-144
• /
• 2007

A vertebral arte [VA] injury presents a difficult problem in atlantoaxial fixation. Recent technical reports described posterior C2 fixation using bilateral, crossing C2 laminar screws. The translaminar screw technique has the advantages of producing little risk of VA injury and the unconstrained screw placement. In addition, biomechanical studies have demonstrated the potential of the translaminar screw technique to provide a firmer construct that is equivalent to methods currently used. We report the successful treatment of C1-2 instability with a left-side high-riding VA. Because of the potential risk of VA injury, we performed a posterior C1-2 fixation with a combination of pedicle screws and a laminar screw in C2. We first placed bilateral C1 lateral mass screws and a right-side C2 pedicle screw. However, placement of the left- side C2 pedicle screw was technically difficult due to a narrow isthmus and pedicle. A laminar screw was inserted instead and authors believe that this posterior C1-C2 fixation with a combination of pedicle screws and a laminar screw in C2 can be a useful alternative technique for the treatment of C1-C2 instability in the presence of a unilateral high-riding VA.