• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.136-140
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• 2008

Objective : Numerous studies have compared the characteristics of familial intracranial aneurysms with those of non-familial aneurysms. To better understand familial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), we studied a series of patients with SAH who had at least one first-degree relative with SAH, and compared our results with those of previous studies. Methods : We identified patients treated for SAH at our hospital between January 1993 and October 2006 and analyzed those patients with one or more first-degree relatives with SAH. We retrospectively collected data from patients with a family history and searched for patients who had relatives with aneurysms or who had been treated at other hospitals for SAH. Results : We identified 12 patients from six families with at least two first-degree relatives with SAH. All patients had affected first-degree relatives; in five families, they were siblings. The mean age at the time of rupture was 49.75 years; in four families, the age difference was within 5 years. In five patients (42%), the aneurysm was located in the middle cerebral artery. Only one patient had an aneurysm in the anterior communicating artery. Conclusion : In agreement with previous studies, our results showed that familial aneurysms, in comparison with non-familiar aneurysms, ruptured at a younger age and smaller size, had a high incidence in the middle cerebral artery, and were underrepresented in the anterior communicating artery. Interestingly, the age at the time of rupture was similar between relatives. Screening should be considered in the fifth or sixth decade for those who have a sibling with SAH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.427-431
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• 2006

Objective : The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of three-dimensional computed tomography angiography [3D-CTA] as a postoperative follow-up examination after intracranial aneurysms have been clipped. Methods : Between January 2002 and June 2005, 522 consecutive patients received treatment for intracranial aneurysms. A retrospective analysis of 310 patients with postoperative 3D-CTAs was performed to evaluate aneurysmal remnants and de novo aneurysms. This study was conducted in 271 patients with at least immediate and 6-month routine 3D-CT As for postoperative clipped aneurysm and 39 patients with 3D-CTAs for clipped aneurysm before 2002 when there was no 3D-CTA in our hospital. Results : Eight patients had abnormal CT angiographic findings. Aneurysm remnants were revealed in 4 patients and de novo aneurysms were discovered in 5 patients. Two patients were found at the postoperative 6-month 3D-CTA performed routinely. In 1 patient, the aneurysm was demonstrated on the way to the examination of syncope. In 2 patients, the author recommended 3D-CTA although there was no symptom because the patients had visited our institute long time ago [5.1, 4.5 years]. Of the 8 patients, 2 remnants and 1 de novo aneurysm were treated by endovascular treatment. Three de novo aneurysms at the middle cerebral artery and 1 pericallosal artery aneurysm were treated by direct clipping because these aneurysms were not suitable for the endovascular treatment in point of anatomical configuration. One patient with both remnant and de novo aneurysm was treated conservatively. Conclusion : 3D-CTA is an available, non-invasive diagnostic tool for the postoperative follow-up examination of aneurysmal state in patients after clipping.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2005

Objective : This study is performed to compare older with younger groups about clinical characteristics and overall outcome of treatments for the intracranial aneurysms. Methods : We retrospectively investigated 633 patients with cerebral aneurysms who were admitted to our institute from January 2000 to May 2004. The authors divided the patients of cerebral aneurysm into two groups, one the third, fourth decades and the other eighth, ninth decades, analyzed clinical characteristics and overall outcome of treatments. Results : There were 57 patients [9.0%] under 39years old and 58 patients [9.2%] over 70. The female to male sex ratio was 0.5 : 1 in the younger group[YG] and 7.3 : 1 in the older group[OG], showing a female predominance with increasing age. In the YG, aneurysms were found in anterior communicating artery[A-com] [44.8%], middle cerebral artery [31.0%]. In the OG, aneurysm of posterior communicating artery [30.1%] was most common followed by that of A-com [26.9%]. More smokers and alcoholics were found in the YG. Older age was related to poor Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher's grade on admission, high incidence of unruptured aneurysms, and endovascular surgery. There was a higher prevalence of hypertension, intraventricular hematoma, hydrocephalus, and rebleeding in the preoperative state in the OG and postoperative complications including hydrocephalus, subdural fluid collection, and systemic complications. Overall outcome was poorer with advancing age [p=0.01]. Conclusion : The patients with aneurysms in the YG have distinct characteristics compared to those in the OG. Because of a good clinical grade on admission, a thin subarachnoid clot, and Low incidence of perioperative complications, the overall outcomes of the young patients were better than those of the old patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2021

Objective : This study aims to investigate the relationship between aneurysm wall enhancement and clinical rupture risks based on the magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) quantitative methods. Methods : One hundred and eight patients with 127 unruptured aneurysms were prospectively enrolled from Feburary 2016 to October 2017. Aneurysms were divided into high risk (≥10) and intermediate-low risk group (<10) according to the PHASES (Population, Hypertension, Age, Size of aneurysm, Earlier SAH history from another aneurysm, Site of aneurysm) scores. Clinical risk factors, aneurysm morphology, and wall enhancement index (WEI) calculated using 3D MR-VWI were analyzed and compared. Results : In comparison of high-risk and intermediated-low risk groups, univariate analysis showed that neck width (4.5±3.3 mm vs. 3.4±1.7 mm, p=0.002), the presence of wall enhancement (100.0% vs. 62.9%, p<0.001), and WEI (1.6±0.6 vs. 0.8±0.8, p<0.001) were significantly associated with high rupture risk. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that WEI was the most important factor in predicting high rupture risk (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.9; p=0.002). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis can efficiently differentiate higher risk aneurysms (area under the curve, 0.780; p<0.001) which have a reliable WEI cutoff value (1.04; sensitivity, 0.833; specificity, 0.67) predictive of high rupture risk. Conclusion : Aneurysms with higher rupture risk based on PHASES score demonstrate increased neck width, wall enhancement, and the enhancement intensity. Higher WEI in unruptured aneurysms has a predictive value for increased rupture risk.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.740-750
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• 2021

Objective : Retrograde suction decompression (RSD) is an adjuvant technique used for the microsurgical treatment of large and giant internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. In this study, we analyzed the efficacy and safety of the RSD technique for the treatment of large and giant ICA aneurysms relative to other conventional microsurgical techniques. Methods : The aneurysms were classified into two groups depending on whether the RSD method was used (21 in the RSD group vs. 43 in the non-RSD group). Baseline characteristics, details of the surgical procedure, angiographic outcomes, clinical outcomes, and procedure-related complications of each group were reviewed retrospectively. Results : There was no significant difference in the rates of complete neck-clipping between the RSD (57.1%) and non-RSD (67.4%) groups. Similarly, there was no difference in the rates of good clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2) between the RSD (85.7%) and non-RSD (81.4%) groups. Considering the initial functional status, 19 of 21 (90.5%) patients in the RSD group and 35 of 43 (81.4%) patients in the non-RSD group showed an improvement or no change in functional status, which did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion : In this study, the microsurgical treatment of large and giant intracranial ICA aneurysms using the RSD technique obtained competitive angiographic and clinical outcomes without increasing the risk of procedure-related complications. The RSD technique might be a useful technical option for the microsurgical treatment of large and giant intracranial ICA aneurysms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.450-457
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• 2018

Objective : Very large (20-25 mm) and giant (${\geq}25mm$) intracranial aneurysms have an extremely poor natural course, and treatment of these aneurysms remains a challenge for endovascular and surgical strategies. This study was undertaken to describe our experiences of endosaccular treatment of very large and giant intracranial aneurysms with parent artery preservation. Methods : From January 2005 to October 2016, twenty-four very large or giant aneurysms in 24 patients were treated by endosaccular coil embolization with parent artery preservation. Nine (37.5%) aneurysms were ruptured and 15 were unruptured, and of these 15, 11 were symptomatic cases and 4 were incidentally discovered. The cohort comprised 17 women and 7 men of mean age 58.5 years (range, 26-82). Mean aneurysm size was 26.0 mm (range, 20-39) and 13 of the 24 aneurysms were giant. Results : Immediate angiographic results were complete occlusion in nine (37.5%) cases, remnant neck in six (25.0%), and remnant sac in nine (37.5%). Overall procedural related morbidity and mortality rates were 12.5% and 4.2%, respectively. Angiographic follow-up was available in 16 patients (66.7%). Mean and median follow-up periods were 27.2 (range, 2-77) and 10.5 months, respectively. In 12 cases (12/16, 75%) stable occlusion was achieved, four cases (4/16, 25%) had recanalized, and two of these were retreated with additional coiling. At clinical follow-up of the nine ruptured cases, three patients (33.3%) achieved a good clinical outcome (Glasgow outcome scale [GOS] score of 4 or 5), two (22.2%) a poor outcome (GOS score of 2 or 3), and four patients (44.4%) expired (GOS 1). On the other hand, of the 15 unruptured cases, 13 patients (86.7%) achieved a good clinical outcome (GOS 4 or 5), one patient a poor outcome (GOS score of 2 or 3), and one patient expired (GOS 1). Conclusion : The present study shows endosaccular treatment of very large or giant intracranial aneurysms with parent artery preservation is both feasible and effective with acceptable morbidity and mortality.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.644-653
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• 2017

Objective : Paraclinoid aneurysms are a group of aneurysms arising at the distal internal carotid artery. Due to a high incidence of small, wide-necked aneurysms in this zone, it is often challenging to achieve complete occlusion when solely using detachable coils, thus stent placement is often required. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of stent placement in endovascular treatment of paraclinoid aneurysms. Methods : Data of 98 paraclinoid aneurysms treated by endovascular approach in our center from August 2005 to June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into two groups : simple coiling and stent-assisted coiling. Differences in the recurrence and progressive occlusion between the two groups were mainly analyzed. The recurrence was defined as more than one grade worsening according to Raymond-Roy Classification or major recanalization that is large enough to permit retreatment in the follow-up study compared to the immediate post-operative results. Results : Complete occlusion was achieved immediately after endovascular treatment in eight out of 37 patients (21.6%) in the stent-assisted group and 18 out of 61 (29.5%) in the simple coiling group. In the follow-up imaging studies, the recurrence rate was lower in the stent-assisted group (one out of 37, 2.7%) compared to the simple coiling group (13 out of 61, 21.3%) (p=0.011). Multivariate logistic regression model showed lower recurrence rate in the stent-assisted group than the simple coiling group (odds ratio [OR] 0.051, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.005-0.527). Furthermore there was also a significant difference in the rate of progressive occlusion between the stent-assisted group (16 out of 29 patients, 55.2%) and the simple coiling group (10 out of 43 patients, 23.3%) (p=0.006). The stent-assisted group also exhibited a higher rate of progressive occlusion than the simple coiling group in the multivariate logistic regression model (OR 3.208, 95% CI 1.106-9.302). Conclusion : Use of stents results in good prognosis not only by reducing the recurrence rate but also by increasing the rate of progressive occlusion in wide-necked paraclinoid aneurysms. Stent-assisted coil embolization can be an important treatment strategy for paraclinoid aneurysms when considering the superiority of long term outcome.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.987-988
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• 2010

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2001

Objective : Aneurysms of vertebral artery and its branches make up approximately 3% of all intracranial aneurysms. As the aneurysm have an intimate relationship with lower cranial nerves and medulla, surgical management of the aneurysms are one of the challenging neurosurgical problems. The authors analyzed the management outcomes for aneurysms arising from vertebral artery and its branches. Methods : At the authors' institution between May 1989 and Jan. 2000, 42 patients were treated with transcranial and endovascular surgery for aneurysms of vertebral artery and its branches. The medical records and neuroimaging studies of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Forty two patients were comprised of 28 female and 14 male patients aged from 26-80 year old(mean : 51.8). Of the 42 patients, 37 patients(88%) had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Of the 37 patients with subarachnoid hemorrahge, 35 patients(95%) were in good neurological status(Hunt Hess grade I-III), 2 patients(5%) in poor grade(H-H grade IV-V) before operation. Location of the aneurysm were 16 in vertebral artery, 12 in vertebro-PICA junction, and 14 in the peripheral PICA. Twenty nine patients were treated with transcranial surgery and 13 patients with endovascular surgery. The management outcome of the transcranial surgery was : Glasgow outcome scale(GOS) I and II ; 24, GOS III ; 2, GOS IV ; 1 and GOS V(death) ; 2. The causes of mortality related to transcranial surgery were rebleeding after failure in clipping in one and suspected brainstem infarct in one. Morbidity was attributed to vasospasm(3), lower CN palsy(7, including temporary dysfunction) and pseudomeningocele(1). The management outcome of the endovascular surgery was : Glasgow outcome scale(GOS) I-II ; 9, GOS III ; 1, GOS IV ; 1, and GOS V(death) ; 2. The causes of mortality related to endovascular surgery were sepsis from pneumonia(1) and vasospasm(1). There were one cerebellar infarct and one lateral medullary syndrome. Conclusion : Excellent and good surgical results can be expected in 80% of the patients with aneurysms of vertebral arery and its branches. The outcomes of endovascular surgery in treating vertebral artery aneurysm were satisfactory and endovascular surgery may offer a therapeutic alternative especially in vertebral dissecting aneurysm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.184-191
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• 2015

Objective : Anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysms represent the most common intracranial aneurysms and challenging to treat due to complex vascularity. The purpose of this study was to report our experience of endovascular treatment of AcomA aneurysms. Methods : Between January 2003 and December 2013, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 134 AcomA aneurysm patients available more than 6 months conventional angiographic and clinical follow-up results. We focused on aneurismal or AcomA vascular characters, angiographic and clinical follow-up results, and retreatment. Results : The rate of ruptured cases was 75.4%, and the small (<10 mm) aneurysms were 96.3%. Based on the subtypes defined by dominance of A1, 79 patients (59%) had contralateral A1 hypoplasia or agenesis. The immediate post-procedural angiography confirmed complete occlusion in 75.4%, partial occlusion in 24.6%. Procedure related complications were observed in 25 (18.6%) patients. Most of the adverse events were asymptomatic. Follow-up conventional angiography at ${\geq}6$ months was performed in all patients (mean 16.3 months) and major recanalization was noted in 6.7% and regrowth in one case. The aneurysm size (p=0.016), and initial treatment results (p=0.00) were statistically significant risk factors related to aneurysm recurrence. An overall improvement in mRS was observed during the clinical follow-up period and no rebleeding episode occurred. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that endovascular treatment is an effective treatment modality for AcomA aneurysms with low morbidity. Patients should take long term clinical and angiographic follow-up in order to assess the recurrence and warrant retreatment, especially ruptured, large, and initially incomplete occluded aneurysms.