• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.343-346
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• 2007

Hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery is a rare congenital anomaly. Agenesis, aplasia, and hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery [ICA] are frequently associated with cerebral aneurysms in the circle of Willis. Authors report two cases with congenital hypoplasia of the ICA accompanying with the aneurysms. Transfemoral cerebral angiography [TFCA] in one patient identified nonvisualization of the left ICA. Bilateral anterior cerebral artery [ACA] and middle cerebral artery [MCA] were supplied from the right ICA accompanying with two aneurysms at anterior communicating artery [AcoA] and A1 portion of the left ACA. TFCA in another patient demonstrated hypoplastic left ICA and left ACA filled from the right ICA accompanying with AcoA aneurysm. Left MCA was filled from basilar artery via posterior communicating artery [PcoA]. Skull base computed tomography [CT] in two patients showed hypoplastic carotid canal. Authors performed direct aneurysmal neck clipping. Follow up CT angiography [CTA] at one year after surgery did not show regrowth or new development of the aneurysm. In patients with hypoplastic ICA, neurosurgeons should be aware of the possibility of development of the aneurysms, presumably because of hemodynamic process. Direct aneurysmal neck clipping is a good treatment modality. After operation, regular CTA, magnetic resonance angiography [MRA] or TFCA is needed to find progressive lesion and to prevent cerebrovascular attack [CVA].

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.269-275
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• 2016

Objective : Although middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms are less amenable to coil embolization, an increasing number of studies support favorable endovascular treatment for them. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes of two different treatments (surgery versus coiling) and evaluate the benefits of surgical clipping for MCA aneurysms. Methods : Here we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 178 ruptured and unruptured MCA aneurysms treated in patients between September 2008 and April 2012. Parameters assessing treatment outcomes include degree of aneurysm occlusion, presence of regrowth, clinical status, and complications. Results : Among 178 MCA aneurysms, 153 were treated surgically. After a mean follow-up of 12 months, the surgery group showed a clinically significant complete occlusion rate (98%) compared with the coiling group (56%) (p<0.001). Follow-up radiologic evaluation showed a higher regrowth rate (four of 16 cases) in the coiling group than in the surgery group (one of 49 cases) (p=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in favorable clinical outcome rate between the two groups. The procedure-related permanent morbidity and mortality rates were 2% (three of 153 cases) in the surgery group and 0% (0 of 25 cases) in the coiling group. Conclusion : Compared to endovascular treatment, surgical neck clipping for both ruptured and unruptured MCA aneurysms results in a significantly higher complete obliteration rate and less regrowth. Therefore, even in this endovascular era, we still recommend surgical clipping as the primary treatment option for MCA aneurysms rather than coil embolization.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.68-70
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• 2009

A case of large aneurysm arising from the distal end of an azygous A2 segment is presented. Multiple clip application inadvertently tore the aneurysmal neck, resulting in near avulsion of a right pericallosal artery origin. After an unsuccessful attempt to repair the avulsion, it was treated by occlusion of the origin of the pericallosal artery and an A4-A4 anterior cerebral artery in situ bypass without neurological deficits. The surgical technique and previous reports onside-to-side in situ bypass are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.963-967
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• 2000

The aneurysm arising from the posterior cerebral artery is relatively uncommon, and has been reported in 0.7- 2.2% of whole cerebral aneurysm. Moreover, only a few cases of the giant aneurysm over 2.5cm in diameter arising from the distal portion of the posterior cerebral artery have been reported. Neurologic complications may occur after surgical treatment of this aneurysm due to difficult surgical approach and neurovascular complexity around the brain stem. Authors experienced a case of the thrombosed giant aneurysm with approximately 2.7cm in diameter arising from the P2 segment of the left posterior cerebral artery. Complete removal of the thrombus in the aneurysmal sac and direct neck clipping was performed via left subtemporal approach.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1188-1194
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• 2000

Objective : Internal carotid-posterior communicating artery(IC-PC) aneurysms can be clipped easily without any special preparations. Occasionally, however, it is difficult to clip the low-lying IC-PC aneurysms without some kinds of additional procedures. Clinical Material and Methods : We experienced four cases of low-lying IC-PC aneurysms, which the intradural anterior clinoidectomy and/or anterior petroclinoid fold(APF) resection was essential to expose the proximal side of the aneurysmal neck and/or proximal control. One patient harbored two low-lying IC-PC aneurysms bilaterally. The patients were divided into two groups according to the necessity of anterior clinoidectomy : Group I(n=4) that needed an intradural clinoidectomy and/or APF resection and Group II(n=29) that had IC-PC aneurysms, easily clipped without any special preparation. Also, various radiometric parameters were measured through the preoperative angiograms. Results : The incidence of such aneurysms was 12% among a total of thirty-three surgically treated IC-PC aneurysms during lasr 3 years. Among four cases, three cases presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and all aneurysmal sac projected to postero-inferior direction. In our study, We initially considered the necessity of intraoperative anterior clinoid process(ACP) removal and/or resection of APF in cases of shorter distance less than 5.6mm between the proximal aneurysmal sac and tip of the ACP(p<0.001), and the proximal portion of aneurysmal neck has located below the interclinoid line(p=0.001). Conclusion : Through a careful preoperative evaluation, some radiometric parameters can be used to determine whether the ACP should be removed in clipping of the low-lying IC-PC aneurysms. Unlike to total removal of the ACP, the intradural partial anterior clinolidectomy and/or APF resection, which are more familiar to surgeons, reduce the risks of the premature rupture, operative time, and also contribute a more precise clip placement with proximal control than the extradural clinoidectomy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2005

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to report our experiences in managing seventeen cases of residual intracranial aneurysms following surgical or endovascular treatment and discuss the incidence of residual aneurysms, the indications and technique of retreatment of residual aneurysms. Methods: During a period of 42 months, we treated 391 aneurysms in 339 patients with microsurgical clipping or GDC embolization as a primary treatment. In 39 of them, follow-up angiography revealed residual aneurysms and seventeen of whom were retreated. There were eleven cases in ACoA, three cases in distal ICA, one, in each of MCA, ACA and basilar artery. We reviewed retrospectively the clinical notes, operation records and cerebral angiograms of seventeen patients who had been treated for residual aneurysms. Results: Complementary treatment was performed in 8 cases by means of surgery and in 9 cases by means of GDC embolization. There were eleven females and six males with an age variation between 29 and 78 years. The mean duration of angiographic follow-up was 17.3 months. Of the seventeen cases that were treated for residual aneurysms, fourteen achieved complete occlusion. Of 17 retreated patients, fifteen patients had good recovery according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Conclusion: When occlusion after endovascular or surgical treatment is incomplete, a new multidisciplinary approach should be carried out. Given our experiences, we recommend coil embolization of the choice in cases that the residual aneurysmal neck had been narrowed by previous clipping. On the other hand, if the residual aneurysm has enough space to clip but not enough to coil, we recommend the microsurgical clipping.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2006

Objective : To determine the rationale for treating pure unruptured intracranial aneurysms[UIAs]. it is mandatory to know the risk of each treatment modality. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the surgical risk for treating UIAs. Methods : Between December 1994 and May 2005, 147 unruptured aneurysms in 135 patients were treated. The majority of these cases [94.6%] were treated with aneurysmal neck clipping. The remainder received aneurysmal wrapping [2.7%], trapping with bypass [20%], or proximal occlusion [0.7%]. The clinical outcomes were evaluated in each patient by the Glasgow Outcome Scale at one month post-surgery. Results : The patient pool consisted of 41 males and 94 females. The mean age was 55.9 years [range : $16{\sim}82$]. The aneurysms were located at middle cerebral artery in 63 [42.9%]. anterior communicating artery 30 [20.4%], posterior communicating artery in 26 [177%]. internal carotid artery[ICA] in 14 [95%], anterior choroidal artery in 4 [2.7%] and others in 10[6.9%]. One hundred fifteen [78.2%] of aneurysms were small [<10mm]. Others were large [10 to 25mm] and giant [>25mm]; 29 [19.7%] and 3 [21%] respectively. More than ninety percent [91.1%] of all patients recovered well. Mild to severe disability was seen in 8.7% of the patients. One patient succumbed to complications following injury to the ICA. Conclusion : The mortality and morbidity associated with UIA surgery at our hospital compared very favorably to the previous reported literature and with the previously established natural history of this disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.76-78
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• 2015

This report details a case of unexpected, severe post-operative cerebral edema following cranioplasty. We discuss the possible pathological mechanisms of this complication. A 50-year-old female was admitted to our department with sudden onset of stuporous consciousness. A brain computed tomography (CT) revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage with intracranial hemorrhage and subdural hematoma. Emergency decompressive craniectomy and aneurysmal neck clipping were performed. Following recovery, the decision was made to proceed with an autologous cranioplasty. The cranioplasty procedure was free of complications. An epidural drain was placed and connected to a suction system during skin closure to avoid epidural blood accumulation. However, following the procedure, the patient had a seizure in the recovery room. An emergency brain CT scan revealed widespread cerebral edema, and the catheter drain was clamped. The increased intracranial pressure and cerebral edema were controlled with osmotic diuretics, corticosteroids, and antiepileptic drugs. The edema slowly subsided, but new low-density areas were noted in the brain on follow-up CT 1 week later. We speculated that placing the epidural drain on active suction may have caused an acute decrease in intracranial pressure and subsequent rapid expansion of the brain, which impaired autoregulation and led to reperfusion injury.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.159-162
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• 2015

Neurological deficits after brain surgery are not uncommon, and correct and prompt differential diagnosis is essential to initiate appropriate treatment. We describe a patient suffering from loss of consciousness due to hyperammonemia, following valproic acid treatment after surgery for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. A 57-year-old female patient underwent successful aneurysmal neck clipping to correct an unruptured aneurysm. Her postoperative course was good, and she received anti-epileptic therapy (valproic acid) and a soft diet. Within a few days the patient experienced mental deterioration. Her serum valproic acid reached toxic levels (149.40 mg/L), and serum ammonia was fifteen times the upper normal limit (553 mmol/L; normal range, 9-33 mmol/L). After discontinuation of valproic acid and with conservative treatment, the patient recovered without any complications. Valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy is an unusual but serious neurosurgical complication, and should not be disregarded as a possible cause of neurological deficits after neurovascular surgery. Early diagnosis is crucial, as discontinuation of valproic acid therapy can prevent serious complications, including death.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.891-895
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• 2001

Objective : Although surgical clipping of intracranial aneurysm is the definite method of treatment, there remains a small number of patients in whom surgical clipping is not technically possible. In such difficult cases, surgeon has to consider other therapeutic alternatives. In this report, we analyze our aneurysmal cases treated by wrapping and coating method and evaluate their surgical outcome and follow-up results. Method : Among the total of 877 patients operated from 1990 to 1999 for intracranial aneurysms at our hospital, 40 cases(4.6%) were treated by wrapping and coating method. They included 24 cases of single ruptured aneurysms and 16 with unruptured ones in multiple aneurysms. Wrapping with temporalis muscle and/or muslin gauze and coating with bioadhesive agent such as fibrin glue were performed. Result : Wrapping and coating method was performed mostly to the anterior communicating artery aneurysm (35%), and mostly because of the broad-based neck of an aneurysm(43%). At the time of discharge, 30 out of 40 patients(80%) showed favourable outcome and three cases died. The patients were monitored for average of 37 months(3-75 months). Among 24 cases with single ruptured aneurysm, 4 cases(17%) had early rebleeding within 6 months from the initial hemorrhage, and such rebleeding occurred within the first postoperative month in 3 cases. However, there was no rebleeding after the 6 months. Among 16 patients whose aneurysms were unruptured ones, none of them showed bleeding episode. Conclusion : It seems likely that the wrapping and coating method would be some help to prevent the rebleeding of an intracranial aneurysm. In order to obtain more accurate results regarding the efficacy of such method, it will be necessary to perform a multi-center study for longer follow-up periods and various wrapping and coating materials.