• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.9
• /
• pp.1079-1085
• /
• 2001

Objective : We analysed various surgical approaches and surgical results of 28 middle cranial base tumors for the purpose of selecting optimal surgical approach to the middle cranial base tumor. Methods : In this retrospective review, 28 patients, including 16 meningioma, 6 trigeminal neurinoma, 2 pituitary adenoma, 2 craniopharyngioma, 1 facial neurinoma, and 1 metastatic tumor, underwent surgical treatment using skull base technique. Of theses, 16 tumors were mainly confined to middle cranial fossae, 5 tumors with extension into both anterior and middle fossa, and 7 tumors with extension into both middle and posterior fossa. Tumors that confined to the middle cranial fossa or extended into the anterior cranial fossa were operated with modified pterional, orbitozygomatic or Dolen'c approach, and tumors that extended into the posterior cranial fossa were operated with anterior, posterior or combined transpetrosal approach. Completeness of tumor resection, surgical outcome, postoperative complication, and follow up result were studied. Results : Total tumor removal was achieved in 9 tumors of 10 tumors that did not extended to the cavernous sinus, and was achieved in 7 tumors of 8 tumors that extended to the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. Of 10 tumors that extended to the venous channel of the cavernous sinus, only 2 were removed totally. Surgical outcome was excellent in 14 patients, good in 10, fair in 2 and poor in 2. There were no death in this series. Dumbell type tumor which extended into both middle and posterior fossae showed tendency of poor prognosis as compared with tumors that confined middle cranial fossa and extended into both anterior and middle cranial fossa. Postoperative dysfunctions were trieminal hypesthesia in 3, oculomotor nerve palsy in 2, abducens nerve palsy in 2, hemiparesis in 2, cerebellar sign in 1, facial palsy in 1 and hearing impairment in 1. Conclusion : Based on our findings and a review of the literature, we conclude that, when selecting the surgical approach to the middle cranial fossa tumors, the most important factors to be considered were exact location of the tumor mass and existence of the cavernous sinus invasion by tumor mass. We recommend modified pterional or orbitozygomatic approach in cases with tumors located anterior and middle cranial base, without cavernous sinus invasion. In cases with tumors invading into cavernous sinus, we recommend Dolen'c or orbitozygomatic approach. And in lateral wall mass and the cavernous sinus, it is preferred to approach the tumor extradurally. For the tumor involing with middle fossa and posterior fossa(dumbell type) a combined petrosal approach is necessary. In cases with cavernous sinus invasion and internal carotid artery encasement, we recommend subtotal resection of the tumor and radiation therapy to prevent permanent postoperative sequele.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.70 no.2
• /
• pp.160-164
• /
• 2011

Paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome is a group of assorted disorders resulting from damage to the nervous system in cancer, remote from primary site, and not related to metastasis, infection, or metabolic disorder associated with cancer. Patient with small cell lung cancer sometimes shows various neurological syndromes, but patient with non-small cell lung cancer rarely shows neurologic syndromes and few antineuronal antibodies have been found. Here, we report a case of 53-year-old male patient who developed ptosis and extraocular muscular limitation of left eye due to third and forth cranial nerve palsy in non-small cell lung cancer without brain metastasis. These neurologic symptoms improved after lobectomy without any other treatment immunotherapy.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.263-268
• /
• 2014

Neurosyphilis is a rare infection of the brain and spinal cord caused by a spirochete named Treponema pallidum. We describe the magnetic resonance imaging of a 53-year-old man with syphilis who manifested as both meningovascular, and spinal meningomyelitic types, which involved the optic, trigeminal, facial and vestibulocochlear nerves, both middle and left posterior cerebral arteries, thoracic spinal cord and meninges of the lumbar spine. This case report suggests that neurosyphilis should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients showing complex brain and spinal imaging features. These features include enhancing meningeal lesions with multiple cranial nerve involvement, stenoses in large to medium size cerebral arteries, and intramedullary and meningeal lesions of spine.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1491-1498
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Embolization of intracranial aneurysms by using Guglielmi detachable coils(GDC) is proving to be a safe method of protecting aneurysms from rupture. Occasionally, patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms present with symptoms related to the aneurysm's mass effect on either the brain parenchyma or cranial nerves. In the present study, the authors conducted a retrospective review to evaluate the response to GDC embolization in a series of 6 patients presenting with cranial nerve dysfunction due to mass effect. Patients and Methods : Aneurysms were classified by size, shape, and amount of intraluminal thrombus. Patients were classified by duration of symptoms prior to GDC treatment(range<1 month to>4 years). Clinical assessment was performed within days of the GDC procedure and at later follow-up appointments(range 5-16 months, mean 9 months). Results : In the immediate post-GDC embolization period, one of the five patients had transient worsening of third nerve palsy, which later improved to better than baseline status. Two patients who presented with third nerve deficit from a internal carotid artery-posterior communicating artery junction aneurysm had complete recovery. One patient who presented with hemiparesis and dysarthria from a giant mid-basilar aneurysm showed improvement of these symptoms. One patient who presented with sixth cranial nerve deficit from a cavernous aneurysm showed no change at the 8-months follow-up examination. Conclusion : The endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms by using GDC is suggested as an alternative therapeutic method for improving or alleviating neurological deficits produced by mass effect.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.199-202
• /
• 2013

Epiduroscopic laser discectomy and neural decompression (ELND) is known as an effective treatment for intractable lumbar pain and radiating pain which develop after lumbar surgery, as well as for herniation of the intervertebral disk and spinal stenosis. However, various complications occur due to the invasiveness of this procedure and epidural adhesion, and rarely, cranial nerve damage can occur due to increased intracranial pressure. Here, the authors report case in which double vision occurred after epiduroscopic laser discectomy and neural decompression in a patient with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.409-424
• /
• 2019

Objectives: This research aimed to confirm the efficacy of oriental medicine in sixth cranial nerve palsy and to evaluate the quality of the studies. Methods: Using the medical subject heading (MeSH) keywords "abducens nerve palsy", "abducens nerve paralysis", "sixth nerve palsy", "herbal medicine", "Chinese medicine", "oriental medicine" and "acupuncture", we collected the research papers through an electronic database search in Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), National Discovery for Science Leaders (NDSL), PubMed, Cochran Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Results: A total of 136 papers were searched from the databases. Among these, 15 case reports and 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met our criteria. 17 articles were found on the use of acupuncture as the main intervention, 11 on the use of herbal medicine as the main intervention, and 9 on the use of electroacupuncture as the main intervention. The frequently used acupoints were LI4, EX-HN5, GB1, BL2, TE23, LR3, BL1, ST2, GB20, and ST36. All 23 studies confirmed the efficacy of Korean medicine. According to the assessment using the risk of bias, the overall quality of the RCTs was low. Conclusions: Twenty-three papers suggested that Korean medicine treatment for abducens nerve palsy was effective in many cases. Analyzing the potential bias was difficult.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 2007

Sphenoid sinus aspergillosis is notorious for its serious complications, such as permanent cranial nerve deficits and possible death. The most common associated symptoms are headache, followed by visual changes, and cranial nerve palsies. Because of an insidious onset, frequently resulting in missed and delayed diagnosis, sphenoid sinus aspergillosis is a potentially lethal medical condition. We report a case of visual loss secondary to isolated sphenoid sinus aspergillosis. A 69-year-old man presented to our hospital with the complaint of headache. The headache started one year previously and was described as severe dull pain localized bilaterally to the temporo-orbital region. The patient took daily NSAIDs for the pain. The neurological examination was normal. The MRI of the brain showed a left sphenoid sinusitis. A transnasal endoscopic superior meatal sphenoidotomy was performed. Aspergillosis was confirmed after a surgical biopsy was obtained. The patient was discharged from hospital without antifungal therapy. One month later, the patient complained of headache and loss of vision bilaterally. The orbital MRI showed a left cavernous sinus and bilateral optic nerve invasion. The loss of visions was permanent. In our case, the diagnosis was delayed; antifungal agents were not administered after surgery and the patient lost his vision as a result. Therefore, early diagnosis and proper treatment are important. Although the treatment of an invasive type of aspergillus has not been established, surgical removal of a nidus and aggressive antifungal therapy are recommended.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2019

Our purpose was to evaluate usefulness of the contrast-enhanced 3 dimensional fluid attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR) technique of half brain volume to diagnose the patients with facial neuritis based on segment-based analysis. We assessed retrospectively 17 consecutive patients who underwent brain MR imaging at 3 tesla for facial neuritis: 11 patients with idiopathic facial neuritis and 6 with herpes zoster oticus. Contrast enhanced 3D-FLAIR sequences of the half brain volume were analyzed and 3D T1-weighted sequence of the full brain volume were used as the base-line exam. Enhancement of the facial nerve was determined in each segment of 5 facial nerve segments by two radiologists. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of enhancement of each segment were assessed. The authors experienced a prompt fuzzy CSF enhancement in the fundus of the internal auditory canal in patients with enhancement of the canalicular segment. Interobserver agreement of CE 3D-FLAIR was excellent(${\kappa}$-value 0.885). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of each segment are 1.0, 0.823, 0.912 in the canalicular segment; 0.118, 1.0, 0.559 in the labyrinthine segment; 0.823, 0.294, 0.559 in the anterior genu; 0.823, 0.529, 0.676 in the tympanic segment; 0.823, 0.235, 0.529 in the mastoid segment, respectively. In addition, those of prompt fuzzy enhancement were 0.647, 1.0, and 0.824, respectively. Incidence of prompt fuzzy enhancement with enhancement of the canalicular segment was 11 sites(55%): 6 (54.5%) in idiopathic facial neuritis and 5 (83.3%) in herpes zoster. Enhancement of the canalicular segment and prompt fuzzy enhancement on CE 3D-FLAIR was significantly correlated with occurrence of facial neuritis (p<0.001). CE 3D-FLAIR technique of the half brain volume is useful to evaluate the patients with facial neuritis as an adjunct sequence in addition to contrast-enhanced 3D T1-weighted sequence. On segment-based analysis, contrast enhancement of the canalicular segment is the most reliable. Prompt fuzzy enhancement is seen in not only herpes zoster, but in idiopathic facial neuritis.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2018

Nerve conduction study (NCS) is an electrophysiological tool to assess the overall function of cranial and peripheral nervous system, therefore NCS has been diagnostically helpful in the identification and characterization of disorders involving nerve roots, peripheral nerves, muscle and neuromuscular junction, and are frequently accompanied by a needle Electromyography. Furthermore, NCS could provide valuable quantitative and qualitative results into neuromuscular function. Usually, motor, sensory, or mixed nerve studies can be performed with using NCS, stimulating the nerves with the recording electrodes placed over a distal muscle, a cutaneous sensory nerve, or the entire mixed nerve, respectively. And these findings of motor, sensory, and mixed nerve studies often show different and distinct patterns of specific abnormalities indicating the neuromuscular disorders. The purpose of this special article is to review the neurophysiologic usefulness of NCS, to outline the technical factors associated with the performance of NCS, and to demonstrate characteristic NCS changes in the setting of various neuromuscular conditions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.110-113
• /
• 2006

Surgery and radiotherapy are mainly used for plasma cell neoplasm which constitutes about $1{\sim}2%$ of human malignancy. The authors carried out Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy[FSRT] on the residual tumor after the subtotal removal of Intracranial plasmacytoma. A huge mass lesion was observed on MRI [magnetic resonance image] in the left anterior and middle cranial fossa of a 63-year-old man with left exophthalmus which lasted for a month, and was suspected as a meningioma with strong contrast enhancement. Extramedullary plasmacytoma was diagnosed on histopathological examination. After the surgery, FSRT was also carried out on the residual tumor which invaded the skull base. One-year follow up after FSRT showed contrast enhancement only in the left sphenoid bone on MRI, which indicated significant decrease in the size of the tumor without any abnormal neurologic deficits. We treated intracranial plasmacytoma which invaded left anterior and middle cranial fossa and surrounded cavernous sinus without cranial nerve deficit through subtotal tumor removal and FSRT.