• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.161-170
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• 2024

Purpose To assess the safety and feasibility of intentionally positioning the catheter tip in the right atrium (RA) without an abutment during implantation of a totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP). Materials and Methods We enrolled 330 patients who had undergone TIVAP implantation between January and December 2016 and postoperative chest CT. The TIVAP was placed using the single-incision technique to access the axillary vein directly from the incision line. To position the catheter tip in the RA without abutment, blood return was checked before cutting. Catheter length and complications were evaluated by retrospectively reviewing medical images and records. Results All patients achieved successful catheter tip positioning without abutment or dysfunction. The median tip position was 15.3 mm distal to the cavoatrial junction (CAJ) on fluoroscopy and 6 mm distal to the CAJ on CT. Catheter tips migrated a median of 10.4 mm cephalically on CT compared to fluoroscopy. Thromboses were detected in the RA and superior vena cava in one patient each. Conclusion Intentional catheter tip positioning in the RA without abutment is a safe and feasible technique with a low incidence of thrombosis and no observed dysfunction.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.732-739
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• 2021

Objective : Early successful reperfusion is associated with favorable outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The purpose of this study was to achieve successful recanalization by a combined mechanical thrombectomy technique, the Aspiration-Retriever Technique for Stroke (ARTS), which is composed of a flexible large lumen distal access catheter and a retrievable stent as the first-line strategy of mechanical thrombectomy. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 62 patients with AIS who underwent mechanical thrombectomy from 2018 to 2019 at our institute by a senior neurointerventionalist. Among them, patients who were treated using the ARTS technique with the soft torqueable catheter optimized for intracranial access (SOFIA^®; MicroVention-Terumo, Tustin, CA, USA) as the first-line treatment were included. Patients who had tandem occlusions or underlying intracranial artery stenosis were excluded. The angiographic and clinical outcomes were evaluated. The angiographic outcome was analyzed by the rate of successful recanalization, defined as a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b or 3 at the end of all procedures and the rate of successfully achieving the first pass effect (FPE), defined as complete recanalization with a single pass of the device. The clinical outcomes included the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and mortality. Results : A total of 27 patients (mean age, 59.3 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The successful recanalization rate was 96% (n=26) while the FPE rate was 41% (n=11). The mean post-procedural NIHSS change was -3.0. Thirteen patients (48%) showed good clinical outcomes after thrombectomy with the ARTS technique (mRS at 90 days ≤2). Postoperative complications occurred in seven of 25 patients : hemorrhagic transformation in six patients (22%) and distal embolization in one patient (4%). Mortality was 15% (n=4). Conclusion : Although the clinical outcomes using the ARTS technique with a flexible large lumen distal access catheter performed as the frontline thrombectomy in patients with AIS were not significantly superior than those of other studies, this study showed a high rate of successful endovascular recanalization which was comparable to that of other studies. Therefore, ARTS using the SOFIA^® catheter can be considered as the first choice of treatment for AIS due to large vessel occlusion.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.795-801
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Endoscopic biliary drainage is the gold standard treatment for cholangitis. The two methods of biliary drainage are endoscopic biliary stenting and nasobiliary drainage. A novel integrated outside biliary stent and nasobiliary drainage catheter system (UMIDAS NB stent; Olympus Medical Systems) was recently developed. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of this stent in the treatment of cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones or distal bile duct strictures. Methods: We conducted a retrospective pilot study by examining the medical records of patients who required endoscopic biliary drainage for cholangitis due to common bile duct stones or distal bile duct strictures, and who were treated with a UMIDAS NB stent, between December 2021 and July 2022. Results: Records of 54 consecutive patients were reviewed. Technical and clinical success rates were 47/54 (87.0%) and 52/54 (96.3%), respectively. Adverse events were observed in 12 patients, with six patients experiencing pancreatitis as an adverse event, following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Regarding late adverse events, five cases of biliary stent migration into the bile duct were observed. Disease-related death occurred in one patient. Conclusions: The outside-type UMIDAS NB stent is an efficacious new method for biliary drainage and can be applied to many indications.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.186-189
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• 2000

A case of distal lower leg replantation, in an elderly patient, was successfully performed after retrieval of the amputated limb from 3 hours of immersion in seawater. Due to the patient's age, bony union was delayed and functional nerve recovery was unsatisfactory. After massive saline irrigation of the amputated part, employing a catheter through the main artery, as well as, prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection by Aeromonas, there were no postoperative complications. Despite the issue of age, immersion of an amputated part into seawater is not a contraindication of replantation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.429-431
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• 2007

Although the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is the treatment of choice when hydrocephalus should be corrected, the ventriculo-atrial shunt still holds strong alternative when the peritonium is precluded due to the several reasons. During the ventriculo-atrial shunt operation, it is not always easy to dissect and find the corresponding venous structures. In this technical note, the author describes a simple method of percutaneous insertion for placement of the atrial end.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.375-383
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• 2002

Aneurysm embolisation method using coils have been widely used. Micro coils are introduced via a small catheter, and are packed inside of aneurysm sac, which induces intraaneurysmal flow stagnation and thrombus formation. When partial blocking of an aneurysm is inevitable, the location of coils is important since it changes the flow patterns inside the aneurysm, which affect the embolisation process. We measured the flow field inside the partially blocked lateral aneurysm models in vitro, and tried to suggest the effective locations of coils for aneurysm embolisation. Velocity fields are measured using a particle image velocitimeter for different coil locations- proximal neck, distal neck, proximal dome and distal dome. Flow into the aneurysm sac was significantly reduced in the distally blocked models, and coils at distal neck blocked inflow more effectively comparing to those at distal dome. This study suggests that distal neck should be the most effective location for aneurysm embolisation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.165-169
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• 2001

Apatient, 51 years old woman, had suffered form headache and decrease of visual acuity. She had $3{\times}3cm$ sized giant aneurysm originated in cavernous and clinoid portion of left ICA(C4,C5) in the cerebral angiography. Before craniotomy, left CCA was exposed and 6F double lumen catheter was inserted in left ICA through the sheath. Pre-operative angiography was done. balloon catheter was positioned at the petrous portion of ICA. Eyebrow approach was done and giant aneurysm was exposed. The proximal blood flow was controlled with balloon dilatation and suction and decompression was tried, then multiple clips were applied. The loss of distal blood flow under intra-operative angiography was notified after clipping. The position of clips were repositioned to preserve blood flow & the rich flow was confirmed at distal part of clipping. In the post-operative cerebral angiography, the same finding was shown.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2023

Objective: Endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular diseases is often challenging due to small caliber, tortuous distal vessels. Several devices and techniques have evolved to overcome these challenges. Recently, a low profile dual lumen microballoon catheter, specifically designed for distal navigation is employed for neurovascular procedures. Due to its recent advent, scarce data is available on clinical utility and safety of Scepter Mini. The aim of this case series is to report our initial experience with Scepter Mini in the management of various cerebrovascular diseases. Methods: All interventional neurovascular cases performed using Scepter Mini between January 2020 till April 2021 were included. Data regarding patient demographics, procedural details and complications was retrospectively collected from patient's electronic medical record and procedure reports. Results: Total twelve embolization procedures were performed in eleven patients, including six brain arteriovenous malformation, two dural arteriovenous fistula, one vein of Galen malformation and three hyper-vascular glomus tumor embolizations. All procedures were successfully performed with adequate penetration of the embolic agent. Complete embolization was performed in six procedures, while intended partial embolization was performed in the rest of procedures. Scepter Mini was solely used in ten procedures, however in the other two embolization procedures it was used as an additional conjunct tool to complete the intended embolization. No balloon related complication was observed in any procedure. Conclusions: Scepter Mini dual lumen microballoon catheter is safe and feasible for delivery of liquid embolic agents for cerebrovascular embolization procedures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.352-356
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• 2016

Objective : The efficacy and safety of manual aspiration thrombectomy using Penumbra in an acute occlusion of large intracranial arteries has been proven in many previous studies. Our study aimed to retrospectively assess the efficacy and safety of manual aspiration thrombectomy using Penumbra in patients with small vessel occlusions (M2 segment of the MCA). Methods : We conducted a retrospective review of 32 patients who underwent manual aspiration thrombectomy using the Penumbra 4 MAX Reperfusion Catheter for treatment of an M2 occlusion between January 2013 and November 2014. We evaluated immediate angiographic results and clinical outcomes through review of patient electronic medical records. Results : There were slightly more men in this study (M : F=18 : 14) and the median age was 72.5 (age range : 41-90). The rate of successful recanalization (TICI grade ${\geq}2b$) was 84% (27/32). NIHSS at discharge and favorable clinical outcomes at 3 months were significantly improved than baseline. Median initial NIHSS score was 10 (range : 4-25) and was 4 (range : 0-14) at discharge. Favorable clinical outcomes (mRS score ${\leq}2$ at 3 months) were seen in 25 out of 32 patients (78%). There were no procedure-related symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages. One patient expired after discharge due to a cardiac problem. Conclusion : Manual aspiration thrombectomy might be safe and is capable of achieving a high rate of successful recanalization and favorable clinical outcomes in patients with distal cerebral vessel occlusion (M2).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.14-25
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• 2020

Proximal flow control achieved with a balloon guide catheter (BGC) during endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke is reviewed in this article. In clinical practice, BGCs offer a multi-faceted approach for clot retrieval by creating proximal flow arrest, reducing embolic burden, and shortening procedure time. Evaluation of frontline thrombectomy procedures with BGCs revealed advantages of combined use over the conventional guide catheter (CGC), notably in the significant reduction of distal emboli to both the affected and previously unaffected territories. Recently, new measures of early and complete reperfusion at first thrombectomy pass have been identified as independent predictors of improved outcomes, which were consistently demonstrated with use of BGC as a safe and effective option to minimize number of passes during intervention. Prior randomized controlled trials reported the positive correlation between BGC-treated patients and a lower risk of mortality as well as shortened procedure time. While BGC use is more common in stent retriever-mediated mechanical thrombectomy, preliminary data has shown the potential benefit of device application during contact aspiration thrombectomy to achieve successful recanalization. However, the question of which major endovascular strategy reigns superior as a frontline remains to be answered. Along with clinical case assessments, BGC performance during in-vitro simulation was analyzed to further understand mechanisms for optimization of thrombectomy technique.