• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.195-200
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• 1988

The incidence of multiple meningiomas found prior to the introduction of CT was 1~2%, the incidence since the introduction of CT was 8.9%. The authous report a case of multiple meningiomas without evidence of von Recklinghausen's disease. The possible presence of more than 1 tumor in a patient with an intracranial meningiomas must always be kept in mind. The pathogenetic factors related to true multiple meningiomas is unknown. We report a patient with multiple meningiomas which was confirmed by operation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1220-1223
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• 2001

Authors experienced a unique case of craniopharyngioma which had evolved rapidly after 4 years of total resection for supratentorial meningioma. A 58-year-old woman presented with headache and visual deterioration. Previously, she had undertaken surgical removal of frontal convexity meningioma 4 years ago and had been well without any postoperative sequelae thereafter. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a newly developed suprasellar mass. Pertinent operative procedure was performed and histological verification was made as an adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. She has been showing unremarkable clinical course up to date. Possible pathogenic mechanisms of de novo development of craniopharyngioma are disscussed with review of case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.278-283
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• 2001

Objective : Massive cerebral infarction could be accompanied by severe brain swelling and death secondary to transtentorial herniation. Approximately 10% to 15% of middle cerebral artery infarctions are associated with this phenomenon. However, the effectiveness and timing of decompressive surgery are still controversial. In this study, we present our results on the effect of decompressive craniectomy in life threatening cerebral infarction. Method : We retrospectively analyzed 15 patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy for massive cerebral infarction from January 1997 to April 1999. Surgical indication was based on the clinical signs such as neurological deterioration, pupillary reflex, and radiological findings. Clinical outcome was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results : All 15 patients(five men, ten women ; mean age, 52.3 years ; right 11, left 4) were treated with wide craniectomy and duroplasty. The average time interval between onset of symptom and surgical decompression was 2.9 days. Clinical signs of uncal herniation(anisocoria, or fixed and dilated pupils) were presented in 13 of 15 patients. Mean Glasgow coma scale(GCS) was 12.4 points on admission, 8.1 points on preoperative state and 11.8 points postoperatively. Overall outcomes were favorable in 5 cases(Glasgow outcome scale : GOS I, II), unfavorable in 6 cases(Glasgow outcome scale : GOS III, IV) and dead in 4 cases. Conclusion : Early decompressive craniectomy before brain stem compression is considered as an effective lifesaving procedure for massive cerebral infarction unresponsive to aggressive medical therapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2000

Objective : This study was undertaken to evaluate the benefits and risks of the stereotactic biopsy in brain lesions. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy and morbidity rate associated with the stereotactic biopsy. Methods : The authors present a review of 47 patients, who underwent stereotactic biopsy using Cosman-Roberts-Wells(CRW) stereotactic apparatus during last six years. Results : Target locations were supratentorial in 36 cases, infratentorial in 9 and multiple in 2. According to pathological diagnosis, the largest group was neoplasm(29) followed by infection(9), infarction(2), cyst(2), and non-specific(5). Definitive diagnosis could be made in 42 of 47 cases(89.4%). When the mass lesion had been suspected as neoplastic condition, the diagnostic rate was 96.7%(29/30). It was being much higher than that of non-neoplastic lesion, 76.5%(13/17). The treatment modality was changed in 15 cases(32%) because the result of stereotactic biopsy was different from clinical diagnosis. Subsequent craniotomy after stereotactic biopsy was then performed in 6 cases, and the pathological diagnoses were precisely coincident in all of these cases. There were two complications(4.3%) : One intratumoral hemorrhage in glioblastoma and a transient hemiparesis in benign astrocytoma. There was no mortality in this series. Conclusion : The precise histological verification is crucial to determine the adequate treatment modality in intracranial lesions. Stereotactic biopsy is a safe and accurate diagnostic procedure for intracranial lesions with a low complication rate.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 1988

Cryptococcosis of central nervous system is uncommon, but fatal if untreated. We experienced a case of cryptococcal ventriculitis with hydrocephalus. The symptom was an increased intracranial pressure without meningeal irritation sign It was confirmed by pathology and cytology taken from fibrous material, which caused a obstruction of shunt catheter in the lateral ventricle. We report a case of cryptococcal ventriculitis in 6 years old male child.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1033-1036
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• 2001

With improvements in diagnostic imaging techniques for the brain, pituitary tumors without neurological signs or symptoms have occasionally been found. To evaluate therapeutic strategy for incidentally found pituitary tumors ("pituitary incidentaloma"), we analyzed the result of magnetic resonance imaging findings and of ophthalmological and endocrinological studies in 3 cases with follow up. Incidentally found functioning tumors were excluded. All of 3 cases is greater than 10mm in tumor size("pituitary macroincidentaloma"). The follow-up period was 49 months, 16 months and 6 months(mean, 25.3 months) in each case. There was no evidence of tumor enlargement, endocrinological problems and visual field defect during follow-up period. Patients with pituitary incidentalomas usually follow a benign course and neurosurgical intervention is not initially required in the management even those greater than 10mm in diameter. Observation over time may be good approach to the patient with a pituitary macroincidentaloma to avoid the unnecessary risk for surgery in a patients with a stable mass.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.141-145
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• 1988

A patient of cerebral sparganosis is reported : The patient, a 47-year-old female complained of frequent seizures and headache. The disease was involved on right frontal lobe, and the lesion was successfully removed by BRW stereotaxic system. The characteristic features of sparganosis are reviewed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1028-1032
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• 2001

The report of massive intratumoral hemorrhage from vestibular schwannoma is rare. A 66-year-old female who had suffered from disturbance of hearing for one year developed severe headache and dizziness. Brain MRI showed crescent shaped mass in the left cerebellopontine angle. A left suboccipital approach revealed an $3{\times}3cm$-sized encapsulated mass. The tumor was totally extirpated together with clot. Histologically the tumor was schwannoma with massive hemorrhage. Postoperative course was uneventful. The authors report the rare case of vestibular schwannoma presenting with intratumoral hemorrhage with review of possible pathophysiology and associated factor.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.261-264
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• 2000

We report a case of anterior spinal epidural hematoma, after removal of cervical meningioma by posterior approach, which occurred in a 61-year-old man who presented with left hemiparesis and hypalgesia. A cervical mass surgically confirmed as meningioma was removed by posterior approach. 3 hours after operation, the patient revealed quadriparesis with respiratory difficulty. We herewith report a rare case of anterior spinal epidural hematoma which caused a catastrophic aggrevation of postoperative course.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1357-1359
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• 2000

Isolated brainstem invlovement of neurocysticercosis is rare. We present the clinical and radiological features of a patient with a solitary cysticercus granuloma in the brainstem confirmed by MRI and CSF ELISA test. Good response was obtained from conservative treatment, using praziquantel. We believe that patients from regions where cysticercosis is endemic, who have no systemic disease, who present with nonprogressive symptoms and signs of brainstem involvement, and display a solitary ring-enhancing mass in the brainstem measuring less than 20mm on neuroimaging may be managed conservatively.