• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.150-158
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• 2021

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) refers to acute bleeding inside the intracranial vault. Not only does this devastating disease record a very high mortality rate, but it can also cause serious chronic impairment of sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. Therefore, a prompt and professional diagnosis of the disease is highly critical. Noninvasive brain imaging data are essential for clinicians to efficiently diagnose the locus of brain lesion, volume of bleeding, and subsequent cortical damage, and to take clinical interventions. In particular, computed tomography (CT) images are used most often for the diagnosis of ICH. In order to diagnose ICH through CT images, not only medical specialists with a sufficient number of diagnosis experiences are required, but even when this condition is met, there are many cases where bleeding cannot be successfully detected due to factors such as low signal ratio and artifacts of the image itself. In addition, discrepancies between interpretations or even misinterpretations might exist causing critical clinical consequences. To resolve these clinical problems, we developed a diagnostic model predicting intracranial bleeding and its subtypes (intraparenchymal, intraventricular, subarachnoid, subdural, and epidural) by applying deep learning algorithms to CT images. We also constructed a visualization tool highlighting important regions in a CT image for predicting ICH. Specifically, 1) 27,758 CT brain images from RSNA were pre-processed to minimize the computational load. 2) Three different CNN-based models (ResNet, EfficientNet-B2, and EfficientNet-B7) were trained based on a training image data set. 3) Diagnosis performance of each of the three models was evaluated based on an independent test image data set: As a result of the model comparison, EfficientNet-B7's performance (classification accuracy = 91%) was a way greater than the other models. 4) Finally, based on the result of EfficientNet-B7, we visualized the lesions of internal bleeding using the Grad-CAM. Our research suggests that artificial intelligence-based diagnostic systems can help diagnose and treat brain diseases resolving various problems in clinical situations.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.219-223
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• 2018

Objective : To investigate nationwide statistics on flow-diverting stent usage for cerebral aneurysm treatment and related mortality data. Methods : We requested data extraction from the National Health Insurance Service claims database using electronic data interchange codes (J3207064, J3207073). Patient and hospital information as well as death statistics were collected from the database. Results : A total of 169 procedures were performed using flow-diverting stents for cerebral aneurysm treatment from November 2014 to December 2016 in Korea. The majority of primary diagnosis was unruptured intracranial aneurysm. During the study period, nine subjects died, including one patient initially diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The crude mortality rate was 5.3%. Five patients died within one month after the procedure; therefore, the estimated periprocedural mortality rate was $3.0{\pm}1.3%$. The mortality rate as of the last day of 2016 was $6.3{\pm}2.1%$. Conclusion : In a 171 person-year follow-up in a Korean series, nine deaths occurred after flow-diverting stent treatment. The crude mortality rate in Korea (5.3%) was higher than that reported in a previous meta-analysis (3.8%).

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.755-757
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• 2013

Gnathostoma spinigerum can cause subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The detection of specific antibodies in serum against G. spinigerum antigen is helpful for diagnosis of neurognathostomiasis. There is limited data on the frequency of G. spinigerum infection in non-traumatic SAH. A series of patients diagnosed as non-traumatic SAH at the Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand between January 2011 and January 2013 were studied. CT or MR imaging of the brain was used for diagnosis of SAH. Patients were categorized as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (A-SAH) or non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (NA-SAH) according to the results of cerebral angiograms. The presence of specific antibodies in serum against 21- or 24-kDa G. spinigerum antigen was determined using the immunoblot technique. The detection rate of antibodies was compared between the 2 groups. Of the 118 non-traumatic SAH patients for whom cerebral angiogram and immunoblot data were available, 80 (67.8%) patients had A-SAH, whereas 38 (32.2%) had NASAH. Overall, 23.7% were positive for specific antibodies against 21- and /or 24-kDa G. spinigerum antigen. No significant differences were found in the positive rate of specific antibodies against G. spinigerum in both groups (P-value=0.350).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.56-68
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• 2020

Objective : To analyze the incidence and treatment trends of hemorrhagic stroke (HS), according to HS subtypes, using nationwide data in Korea from January 2008 to December 2016. Methods : We used data from the national health-claim database provided by the National Health Insurance Service for 2008-2016 using the International Classification of Diseases. The crude incidence and age-standardized incidence of each disease associated with HS, which included intracranial aneurysm (IA), hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and arteriovenous malformation (AVM), were calculated and additional analysis was conducted according to age and sex. Changes in trends in treatment methods and number of treatments were analyzed for each cerebrovascular disease using the Korean Classification of Diseases procedure codes. Results : In 2016, the total number of newly diagnosed adult patients with HS was 24169, showing a decrease by 7.0% since 2008; the age-standardized incidence of HS was 46.2 per 100000 person-years. The age-standardized incidence of unruptured IA (UIA) in adults was 71.4 per 100000 person-years-increased by 2.6-fold since 2008-while that of ruptured IA (RIA) was 12.6 per 100000 person-years, which had decreased at a rate of 20.3% since 2008. The number of coil embolization (CE) for UIA increased by 3.4-fold over 9 years and exceeded that of clipping since 2008. With respect to RIA, CE increased by 2.0-fold over 9 years and exceeded that of clipping from 2014. As for spontaneous ICH in adults, the age-standardized incidence was 31.3 per 100000 person-years in 2016-decreased by 34.7% since 2008-and 14.6% of patients diagnosed with ICH were treated in 2016, which was not significantly different from the proportion of patients treated since 2008. The age-standardized incidence of unruptured AVM (UAVM) was 2.0 per 100000 person-year in 2016, while that of ruptured AVM (RAVM) was 2.4 per 100000 person-years in 2016, showing a decreasing rate of 17.2% from 2008. The total number of treated patients with AVM declined since 2014. Conclusion : In Korea, age-related cerebral vascular diseases, such as RIA, ICH, and RAVM, demonstrated a declining trend in age-standardized incidence; meanwhile, UIA and UAVM demonstrated an increased trend in both crude incidence and age-standardized incidence for 9 years. The increase in the elderly population, management of hypertension, and development of diagnostic and endovascular techniques appear to have influenced this trend.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.387-391
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• 2018

Purpose: Subgaleal hemorrhage (SGH) is a rare but potentially fatal condition in newborns; however, few studies have reported on this condition. We aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of SGH. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 20 neonates diagnosed with SGH between January 2000 and June 2017. Enrolled neonates were clinically diagnosed when they had tender fluctuant scalp swelling that crossed the suture lines. Results: Among 20 neonates with SGH, 12 were boys and 7 were girls; median hospitalization duration was $9.7{\pm}6.9days$. Fourteen neonates (70%) were born via vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, and 4 via vacuum-assisted cesarean section. Of the neonates enrolled, half of them initially showed unstable vital signs, including apnea, desaturation, and cyanosis. Ten neonates had acidosis and 3 had asphyxia (pH<7.0). Intracranial lesions associated with SGH were observed in 15 neonates (75%), including subdural hemorrhage (50%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (15%), intraventricular hemorrhage (5%), cerebral infarct (15%), skull fracture (30%), and cephalohematoma (20%). Twelve neonates (60%) required transfusion, 5 (25%) had seizures, and 3 (15%) died. Eight neonates (40%) had hyperbilirubinemia (mean total bilirubin, $13.1{\pm}7.4$). The mean follow-up period was $8.4{\pm}7.5months$. At follow-up, 10 neonates (58.8%) were healthy with normal development, whereas 7 (41.2%) had neurological deficits. Conclusion: The morbidity rate was 41.2% due to severe metabolic acidosis. Anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, low Apgar scores, and subdural hemorrhage did not affect the prognosis. The long-term outcomes of neonates with SGH are generally good. Only arterial blood pH was significantly associated with death.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.313-320
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of emergent carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) for acute stroke due to athero-thrombotic occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery (ICA). Methods : Review of medical records identified 17 patients who underwent emergent CAS for treatment of athero-thrombotic occlusion of the cervical ICA with acute stroke between 2009 and 2013. Eleven patients (64.7%) presented with concomitant intracranial artery occlusion, which was treated primarily by mechanical thrombectomy after CAS. Results : Successful revascularization of the cervical ICA with emergent CAS was achieved in all patients. After CAS, intracranial recanalization with Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ${\geq}2b$ flow was achieved in four of the 11 patients (36.4%). The overall recanalization rate (cervical ICA and intracranial artery) was 10 of 17 patients (58.8%). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in two patients (11.8%), resulting in death. Ten patients (58.8%) showed improvement (decrease in NIHSS score of ${\geq}4$ points) at seven days after recanalization. Nine patients (52.9%) showed a favorable outcome ($mRS{\leq}2$) at the last follow-up. A favorable outcome ($mRS{\leq}2$) was obtained in four of the six patients with isolated cervical ICA occlusion (4/6, 66.7%) and five of 11 patients with intracranial tandem occlusion (5/11, 45.5%). Conclusion : Emergent CAS for acute stroke due to athero-thrombotic occusion of the cervical ICA showed a good technical feasibility and favorable clinical outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.313-318
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• 2010

Objective : The amount of hemorrhage observed on a brain computed tomography scan, or a patient's Fisher grade (FG), is a powerful risk factor for development of shunt dependent hydrocephlaus (SDHC). However, the influence of treatment modality (clipping versus coiling) on the rate of SDHC development has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we compared the risk of SDHC in both treatment groups according to the amount of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 839 patients with aneurysmal SAH for a 5-year-period. Incidence of chronic SDHC was analyzed using each treatment modality according to the FG system. In addition, other well known risk factors for SDHC were also evaluated. Results : According to our data, Hunt-Hess grade, FG, acute hydrocephalus, and intraventricular hemorrhage were significant risk factors for development of chronic SDHC. Coiling group showed lower incidence of SDHC in FG 2 patients, and clipping groups revealed a significantly lower rate in FG 4 patients. Conclusion : Based on our data, treatment modality might have an influence on the incidence of SDHC. In FG 4 patients, the clipping group showed lower incidence of SDHC, and the coiling group showed lower incidence in FG 2 patients. We suggest that these findings could be a considerable factor when deciding on a treatment modality for aneurysmal SAH patients, particularly when the ruptured aneurysm can be occluded by either clipping or coiling.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.152-162
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• 2024

Objective: Stroke is the second-leading cause of death globally. Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) represents 10-15% of ischemic strokes in Western countries and up to 47% in Asian countries. Patients with ICAS have an especially high risk of stroke recurrence. The aim of this meta-analysis is to reassess recurrent stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and other outcomes with stenting versus best medical management for symptomatic ICAS. Methods: The search protocol was developed a priori according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The OVID Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to August 14th, 2022. Results: This meta-analysis included four randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with a total number of 991 patients. The mean age of participants was 57 years. The total number of intracranial stenting patients was 495, and the number of medical treatment patients was 496. The included studies were published between 2011 and 2022. Two studies were conducted in the USA, and the other two in China. All included studies compared intracranial stenting to medical treatment for ICAS. Conclusions: In patients with ischemic stroke due to symptomatic severe intracranial atherosclerosis, the rate of 30-day ischemic stroke, 30-day intracerebral hemorrhage, one-year stroke in territory or mortality favored the medical treatment alone without intracranial stenting. The risk of same-territory stroke at last follow-up, disabling stroke at last follow-up, and mortality did not significantly favor either group. Intracranial stenting for atherosclerosis did not result in significant benefit over medical treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.846-852
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• 2022

Objective : Traumatic intracranial hematomas have been rarely evacuated by endoscopic surgery. The frontal lobe is the usual location for the traumatic intracerebral hematoma (TICH). Endoscopic evacuation for the frontal TICHs via an eyebrow incision is to be presented as minimally invasive surgery. Methods : Thirteen patients with frontal TICHs were managed with endoscopic hematoma evacuation via eyebrow incision. After making the incision in the lateral eyebrow, a small frontal craniotomy was made, and the hematoma was evacuated under direct visualization of a rigid endoscope. No catheter was placed. Orbital rim resection, hematoma evacuation rate, surgical complications, and outcome at discharge were analyzed. Results : Men were 11 and the mean age was 54 years old (range, 27-86). Orbitotomy was performed in four patients, and no effect on the hematoma evacuation rate was observed. More than 80% of the hematoma volume was successfully removed in 10 cases. Hematoma configuration was not related to the hematoma evacuation rate. None of the patients underwent revision operation or decompressive craniectomy. Conclusion : Endoscopic evacuation of the TICHs with the supraorbital approach may be a good method to evacuate the hematoma located in the frontal base.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2001

Objective : The goal of this study was to document the influence of the treatment modality(surgery versus endovascular treatment) on the development of chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in a series of 296 patients treated after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). Methods : The following parameters were retrospectively analyzed for association with chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus : 1) Age and Sex, 2) Hunt and Hess grade, 3) Fisher computed tomographic grade, 4) aneurysm location, and 5) treatment modality(surgery versus endovascular treatment). Results : Thirty-six of 251 patients(14.3%) who survived the SAH and its neurological and/or medical sequelae underwent definitive shunting for treatment of chronic hydrocephalus. The rate of shunt dependency was positively correlated with a higher age, a higher Hunt and Hess grade, a higher Fisher computed tomographic grade, and aneurysms arising at the anterior communicating artery(p<0.05). Conclusion : The results of the present study indicate that the treatment modality used does not affect the risk of the later development of chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus(surgery, 16.2% [25 of 154] ; endovascular treatment, 11.3% [11 of 97] ; p=0.45).