• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.430-435
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• 2017

Background: Mycotic aortic aneurysms are rare and life-threatening. Unfortunately, no established guidelines exist for the treatment of patients with mycotic aortic aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm outcomes of the open repair of mycotic thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms and suggest a therapeutic strategy. Methods: From 2006 to 2016, 19 patients underwent open repair for an aortic aneurysm. All infected tissue was extensively debrided and covered with soft tissue. We recorded the clinical findings, anatomic location of the aneurysm, bacteriology results, antibiotic therapy, morbidity, and mortality for these cases. Results: The median age was $62{\pm}7.2years$ (range, 16 to 78 years), 13 patients (68%) were men, and the mean aneurysm size was $44.5{\pm}4.9mm$. The mean time from onset of illness to surgery was $14.5{\pm}2.4days$. Aortic continuity was restored in situ with a Dacron prosthesis (79%), homograft (16%), or Gore-Tex graft (5%). Soft-tissue coverage of the prosthesis was performed in 8 patients. The mean follow-up time was $43.2{\pm}11.7months$. The early mortality rate was 10.5%, and the 5-year survival rate was $74.9%{\pm}11.5%$. Conclusion: This study showed acceptable early and midterm outcomes of open repair of mycotic aneurysms. We emphasize that aggressive intraoperative debridement with soft-tissue coverage results in a high rate of success in these high-risk patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2001

Object : To determine whether to use surgical or medical therapy in treatment of infectious intracranial aneurysms, we reviewed two recent cases of infectious intracranial aneurysms and others known previous reports of aforementioned cases. Hence, we attempted to compare the validity and effectiveness of surgical and medical treatment. Method : Recently, we treated two cases of ruptured infectious intracranial aneurysms. In former case, the aneurysm was located distal to the middle cerebral artery in a patient with mild mitral regurgitation of the heart. In latter case, the aneurysm was multiple with varying hemorrhage. The hemorrhage was located bilaterally and a moderate mitral regurgitation and infective endocarditis were accompanied in this patient. Result : Due to the large size of the intracranial hematoma, stable medical condition, and easy resectability, we treated the former patient surgically. And, because of successive hemorrhage by multiple aneurysmal rupture, and the risk of heart failure, we treated the latter patient medically with serial follow-up angiography. Both patients are at present in good health. Conclusion : Because of the variability in associated factors, such as the patient's health, the number of lesions, location, anatomy of the aneurysms and the causative organism, each patient's care must be individualized and tailored to the patient's particular clinical situation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.197-204
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• 2015

Objective : Aneurysms arising from the pericallosal artery (PA) are uncommon and challenging to treat. The aim of this study was to report our experiences of the endovascular treatment of ruptured PA aneurysms. Methods : From September 2003 to December 2013, 30 ruptured PA aneurysms in 30 patients were treated at our institution via an endovascular approach. Procedural data, clinical and angiographic results were retrospectively reviewed. Results : Regarding immediate angiographic control, complete occlusion was achieved in 21 (70.0%) patients and near-complete occlusion in 9 (30.0%). Eight procedure-related complications occurred, including intraprocedural rupture and early rebleeding in three each, and thromboembolic event in two. At last follow-up, 18 patients were independent with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2, and the other 12 were either dependent or had expired (mRS score, 3-6). Adjacent hematoma was found to be associated with an increased risk of poor clinical outcome. Seventeen of 23 surviving patients underwent follow-up conventional angiography (mean, 16.5 months). Results showed stable occlusion in 14 (82.4%), minor recanalization in two (11.8%), and major recanalization, which required recoiling, in one (5.9%). Conclusion : Our experiences demonstrate that endovascular treatment for a ruptured PA aneurysms is both feasible and effective. However, periprocedural rebleedings were found to occur far more often (20.0%) than is generally suspected and to be associated with preoperative contrast retention. Analysis showed existing adjacent hematoma is predictive of a poor clinical outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and anatomic features involved in determining treatment modalities for anterior communicating artery (AcoA) aneurysms. Methods : The authors retrospectively evaluated 112 AcoA aneurysms with pretreatment clinical features including age, Hunt and Hess grade, medical or neurological comorbidity, and anatomical features including aneurysm size, neck size, dome-to-neck ratio, vessel incorporation, multiple lobulation, and morphologic scoring system. Post-treatment clinical results were classified according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale, and anatomic results in coiled patients were classified according to the modified Raymond scale. Using multivariate logistic regression, the probabilities for decision making between surgical clipping and coil embolization were calculated. Results : Sixty-seven patients (60%) were treated with surgical clipping and 45 patients (40%) with endovascular coil embolization. The clinical factor significantly associated with treatment decision was age (${\geq}$65 vs. <65 years) and anatomical factors including aneurysm size (small or large vs. medium), dome-to-neck ratio (<2 vs. ${\geq}$2), presence of vessel incorporation, multiple lobulation, and morphologic score (${\geq}$2 vs. <2). In multivariate analysis, older patients (age, 65 years) had significantly higher odds of being treated with coil embolization relative to clipping (adjusted OR=3.78; 95% CI, 1.39-10.3; p=0.0093) and higher morphological score patients (${\geq}$2) had a higher tendency toward surgical clipping than endovascular coil embolization (OR=0.23; 95% CI, 0.16-0.93; p=0.0039). Conclusion : The optimal decision for treating AcoA aneurysms cannot be determined by any single clinical or anatomic characteristics. All clinical and morphological features need to be considered, and a collaborative neurovascular team approach to AcoA aneurysms is essential.

• 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.49 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2011

Objective: Due to longer life spans, patients newly diagnosed with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) are increasing in number. This study aimed to evaluate how management of UIAs in patients age 65 years and older affects the clinical outcomes and post-procedural morbidity rates in these patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 109 patients harboring 136 aneurysms across 12 years, between 1997 and 2009, at our institute. We obtained the following data from all patients: age, sex, location and size of the aneurysm(s), presence of symptoms, risk factors for stroke, treatment modality, and postoperative 1-year morbidity and mortality. We classified these patients into three groups: Group A (surgical clipping), Group B (coil embolization), and Group C (observation only). Results: Among the 109 patients, 56 (51.4%) underwent clipping treatment, 25 (23%) patients were treated with coiling, and 28 observation only. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 2.46% and 0%, respectively. The morbidity rate was 1.78% for Clipping and 4% for coiling. Factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and family history of stroke were correlated with unfavorable outcomes. Two in the observation group refused follow-up and died of intracranial ruptured aneurysms. The observation group had a 7% mortality rate. Conclusion: Our results show acceptable favorable outcome of treatment-related morbidity comparing with the natural history of unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Surgical clipping did not lead to inferior outcomes in our study, although coil embolization is generally more popular for treating elderly patients, In the treatment of patients more than 65 years old, age is not the limiting factor.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2006

Objective : Young neurosurgeons need to focus on the mortality and morbidity of aneurysmal neck clipping to develop a personal experience with an initial series. Methods : Total 88 aneurysms from 75 patients who underwent neck clipping by the same operator from 2001 to 2004 were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups : first year [Group I], second year [Group II], and third year [Group III] in each group. Location of aneurysm, age, Fisher grade, Hunter-Hess grade [H-H grade], postoperative Glasgow outcome scale [GOS], and complications related to surgical procedures were evaluated with Chi-square and logistic regression analyses. Results : Fourteen patients had complications related to surgery [18.7%]. The major causes of mortality and morbidity related to surgery were cerebral infarction, hemorrhage and brain swelling due to intraoperative rupture, brain retraction and vasospasm. Among the 4 cases of mortality were 2 patients in Group I, 1 patient in Group II and 1 patient in Group III, and location of aneurysms were 2 internal carotid artery[ICA] and 2 posterior communicating artery[PCoA] aneurysms. There were 4 morbidity and new neurological deficits in Group I, 4 in Group II and 2 in Group III. Although mortality and morbidity during the learning curve had a statistical significance in H-H grade, age [>60 years old], and aneurysm location [especially ICA aneurysm] as variables, mortality mainly occurred in ICA and PCoA aneurysms. Conclusion : Experienced supervision or endovascular approach should be considered for the treatment of ICA and PCoA aneurysms during the learning curve.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2007

Objective : We evaluated the accuracy of multislice computerized tomographic angiography (MCTA) in the postoperative evaluation of clipped aneurysms by comparising it with three dimensional digital subtraction angiography (3D-DSA). Methods : Between May 2004 and September 2006, we included patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysm of the anterior circulation that was surgically clipped and evaluated by both postoperative MCTA and postoperative 3D-DSA. We measured the diagnostic performance and calculated the sensitivity and specificity of postoperative MCTA compared to 3D-DSA in the detection of aneurysm remnants. Results : A total of 11 neck remnants among the 92 clipped aneurysms (11.9%) were confirmed by 3D-DSA. According to Sindou's classification of aneurysm remnants, 8.7% of clipped aneurysms (8/92) had only neck remnant on 3D-DSA and 3.2% (3/92 aneurysms) had residuum of the neck and sac on 3D-DSA. There were 12 (13.04%) equivocal cases that were difficult to interpret based on the postoperative MCTA. The reasons for the equivocal cases included multiple clips (6 cases, 50.0%). beam-hardening effect (4 cases, 33.3%), motion artifact (1 case, 8.3%), fenestrated clip (1 case, 8.3%) and other combined causes. The sensitivity and specificity of the postoperative MCTA was 81.8% and 88.9%, respectively by ROC curve (p=0.000). Conclusion : MCTA is an accurate noninvasive imaging method used for the assessment of clipped aneurysms in the anterior circulation. If the image quality of postoperative MCTA is good quality and the patient has been treated with a single titanium clip, except a fenestrated clip, the absence of an aneurysm remnant can be diagnosed by MCTA alone and the need for postoperative DSA can be reduced in a large percentage of cases.

• 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].

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.315-318
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• 2011

Purpose: An aneurysm is defined as a permanent, localized dilation of an artery with a 50% increase in diameter over its expected normal diameter. Aneurysms can be classified by cause as traumatic and nontraumatic. Traumatic aneurysms can be divided into true and false aneurysms. Nontraumatic causes of peripheral artery aneurysms include mycotic, atherosclerotic, inflammatory, and idiopathic. In the hand, true aneurysms occurring at the common digital artery have been rarely reported. We present a rare case of a true aneurysm of the common digital artery that was resected and reconstructed using a reversed vein graft. Methods: A 49-year-old male patient was refered to our institution with a $0.73{\times}0.44{\times}1.37cm$ sized pulsating mass between 2nd and 3rd flexor digitorum tendons on Lt. palm area. The mass had been present for 5 years and had increased in size over the previous year. No history of trauma was reported. After a physical examination and ultrasound sonography review, a diagnosis of aneurismal dilatation of common digital artery was made. Surgical treatment by excision of the aneurysm, and a reversed vein graft was performed. Results: Histologic examination of the specimen ($3.4{\times}0.7cm$) showed aneurismal dilatation, with elastin fibers present in the arterial wall. The lesions were healed without any complications and there were no evidence of recurrence. Doppler examination of the reconstruction showed good perfusion. Conclusion: Early excision is recommended to relieve symptoms and avoid neurologic damage. Also, artery reconstruction can be performed by primary end-to-end anastomosis or the placement of a reversed interposition vein graft. Micro surgical repair was the only possible treatment in this case. The authors believe that the vascular anatomy should always be restored as natural as possible.