• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.38-39
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• 2006

Perioperative lumbar drainage of cerebrospinal fluid is commonly used in neurosurgical practice. However, the relationship between lumbar drainage and acquired Chiari malformation is not well established. The authors present an unusual case of paraplegia as a result of acquired Chiari malformation after lumbar drainage. Acquired Chiari malformation can induce compression of cervicomedullary junction and syrinx formation. Foramen magnum decompression is recommended for the solution of such problems.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.481-483
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• 2005

We report a rare case of spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma[SSDH]. A 63-year-old man presented with radicular pain and paraparesis on both legs for several months. On magnetic resonance images, SSDH was found in lumbar region. Electrodiagnostic report showed bilateral lumbosacral polyradiculopathy, such as cauda equina syndrome. SSDH was drained with lumbar drainage at L4-5 level without direct exploration. The patient improved after drainage of the hematoma and then he was able to walk independently.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Objective : The diagnosis of shunt malfunction can be challenging since neuroimaging results are not always correlated with clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a simple, minimally invasive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lumbar tapping test that predicts shunt under-drainage in hydrocephalus patients. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological features of 48 patients who underwent routine CSF lumbar tapping after ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) operation using a programmable shunting device. We compared shunt valve opening pressure and CSF lumbar tapping pressure to check under-drainage. Results : The mean pressure difference between valve opening pressure and CSF lumbar tapping pressure of all patients were $2.21{\pm}24.57mmH_2O$. The frequency of CSF lumbar tapping was $2.06{\pm}1.26times$. Eighty five times lumbar tapping of 41 patients showed that their VPS function was normal which was consistent with clinical improvement and decreased ventricle size on computed tomography scan. The mean pressure difference in these patients was $-3.69{\pm}19.20mmH_2O$. The mean frequency of CSF lumbar tapping was $2.07{\pm}1.25times$. Fourteen cases of 10 patients revealed suspected VPS malfunction which were consistent with radiological results and clinical symptoms, defined as changes in ventricle size and no clinical improvement. The mean pressure difference was $38.07{\pm}23.58mmH_2O$. The mean frequency of CSF lumbar tapping was $1.44{\pm}1.01times$. Pressure difference greater than $35mmH_2O$ was shown in 2.35% of the normal VPS function group (2 of 85) whereas it was shown in 64.29% of the suspected VPS malfunction group (9 of 14). The difference was statistically significant (p=0.000001). Among 10 patients with under-drainage, 5 patients underwent shunt revision. The causes of the shunt malfunction included 3 cases of proximal occlusion and 2 cases of distal obstruction and valve malfunction. Conclusion : Under-drainage of CSF should be suspected if CSF lumbar tapping pressure is $35mmH_2O$ higher than the valve opening pressure and shunt malfunction evaluation or adjustment of the valve opening pressure should be made.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.480-484
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• 2010

Objective : To evaluate the role of lumbar drainage in the prevention of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms by coil embolization in good-grade patients. Methods : One-hundred-thirty consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in good-grade patients (Hunt & Hess grades I-III), who were treated by coil embolization between August 2004 and April 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Poor-grade patients (Hunt & Hess grades IV and V), a history of head trauma preceding the development of headache, negative angiograms, primary subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and loss to follow-up were excluded from the study. We assessed the effects on lumbar drainage on the risk of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus related to coil embolization in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Results : One-hundred-twenty-six patients (96.9%) did not develop shunt-dependent hydrocephalus. The 2 patients (1.5%) who developed acute hydrocephalus treated with temporary external ventricular drainage did not require permanent shunt diversion. Overall, 4 patients (3.1%) required permanent shunt diversion; acute hydrocephalus developed in 2 patients (50%). There was no morbidity or mortality amongst the patients who underwent a permanent shunt procedure. Conclusion : Coil embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms may be associated with a lower risk for developing shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, possibly by active management of lumbar drainage, which may reflect less damage for cisternal anatomy than surgical clipping. Coil embolization might have an effect the long-term outcome and decision-making for ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.281-287
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• 2008

Objective : Cerebral vasospasm still remains a major cause of the morbidity and mortality, despite the developments in treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The authors measured the utility and benefits of external lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage to prevent the clinical vasospasm and its sequelae after endovascular coiling on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in this randomized study. Methods : Between January 2004 and March 2006, 280 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were treated at our institution. Among them, 107 patients met our study criteria. The treatment group consisted of 47 patients who underwent lumbar CSF drainage during vasospasm risk period (about for 14 days after SAH), whereas the control group consisted of 60 patients who received the management according to conventional protocol without lumbar CSF drainage. We created our new modified Fisher grade on the basis of initial brain computed tomography (CT) scan at admission. The authors established five outcome criteria as follows : 1) clinical vasospasm; 2) GOS score at 1-month to 6-month follow-up; 3) shunt procedures for hydrocephalus; 4) the duration of stay in the ICU and total hospital stay; 5) mortality rate. Results : The incidence of clinical vasospasm in the lumbar drain group showed 23.4% compared with 63.3% of individuals in the control group. Moreover, the risk of death in the lumbar drain group showed 2.1 % compared with 15% of individuals in the control group. Within individual modified Fisher grade, there were similar favorable results. Also, lumbar drain group had twice more patients than the control group in good GOS score of 5. However, there were no statistical significances in mean hospital stay and shunt procedures between the two groups. IVH was an important factor for delayed hydrocephalus regardless of lumbar drain. Conclusion : Lumbar CSF drainage remains to playa prominent role to prevent clinical vasospasm and its sequelae after endovascular coiling on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Also, this technique shows favorable effects on numerous neurological outcomes and prognosis. The results of this study warrant clinical trials after endovascular treatment in patients with aneurysmal SAH.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2022

In cases of hyponatremia induced by brain damage, it is important to distinguish between the syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and cerebral salt wasting syndrome. A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is the standard treatment for hydrocephalus, and external lumbar drainage (ELD) is an option to evaluate the effect of a VP shunt. However, ELD has potential complications, such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, and rarely hyponatremia. Therefore, we report a case of a patient with cerebral salt-wasting syndrome resulting from ELD to treat normal-pressure hydrocephalus during the rehabilitation of acute ischemic stroke.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.318-321
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• 2009

Tension pneumocephalus may follow a cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leak communicating with extensive extradural air. However, it rarely occurs after diagnostic lumbar puncture, and its treatment and pathophysiology are uncertain. Tension pneumocephalus can develop even after diagnostic lumbar puncture in a special condition. This extremely rare condition and underlying pathophysiology will be presented and discussed. The authors report the case of a 44-year-old man with a basal skull fracture accompanied by pneumothorax necessitating chest tube suction drainage, who underwent an uneventful lumbar tapping that was complicated by postprocedural tension pneumocephalus resulting in an altered mental status. The patient was managed by burr hole trephination and saline infusion following chest tube disengagement. He recovered well with no neurologic deficits after the operation, and a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated that the pneumocephalus had completely resolved. Tension pneumocephalus is a rare but serious complication of lumbar puncture in patients with basal skull fractures accompanied by pneumothorax, which requires continuous chest tube drainage. Thus, when there is a need for lumbar tapping in these patients, it should be performed after the negative pressure is disengaged.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 2015

Objective : Removal of blood from subarachnoid space with a lumbar drainage (LD) may decrease development of cerebral vasospasm. We evaluated the effectiveness of a LD for a clinical vasospasm and outcomes after clipping of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods : Between July 2008 and July 2013, 234 patients were included in this study. The LD group consisted of 126 patients, 108 patients in the non LD group. We investigated outcomes as follow : 1) clinical vasospasm, 2) angioplasty, 3) cerebral infarction, 4) Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score at discharge, 5) GOS score at 6-month follow-up, and 6) mortality. Results : Clinical vasospasm occurred in 19% of the LD group and 42% of the non LD group (p<0.001). Angioplasty was performed in 17% of the LD group and 38% of the non LD group (p=0.001). Cerebral infarctions were detected in 29% and 54% of each group respectively (p<0.001). The proportion of GOS score 5 at 6 month follow-up in the LD group was 69%, and it was 58% in the non LD group (p=0.001). Mortality rate showed 5% and 10% in each group respectively. But, there was no difference in shunt between the two groups. Conclusion : LD after aneurysmal SAH shows marked reduction of clinical vasospasm and need for angioplasty. With this technique we have shown favorable GOS score at 6 month follow-up.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.211-214
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• 2005

Objective : Post-traumatic hydrocephalus is a complication of head injury and can present with several different clinical symptoms. However, the developing factors of post-traumatic hydrocephalus and treatment are still not well known. The authors design the study to focus on incidence, causing diseases and treatment of post-traumatic hydrocephalus. Methods : The 789patients of traumatic head injury followed by admission treatment over 7days from Jan. 1997 to Dec. 2001, were divided shunt group and shunt free group. We analyzed age, sex, causing diseases, developing time of hydrocephalus and effects of shunt operation in post-traumatic hydrocephalus. Results : The incidence of post-traumatic hydrocephalus for requiring shunt was 9.2% [64cases]. Chronic hydrocephalus which developed after 14days of injury was higher incidence [51cases]. We found following variables were significantly related to shunt-dependent hydrocephalus : low GCS score at admission, initial CT finding of traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage [including intraventricular hemorrhage]. The effect of shunt operation was not related with the spinal pressure, but had statistically significant correlation with the response of lumbar drainage. Conclusion : We conclude that development of hydrocephalus after head trauma is related to low GCS score, intracerebral hemorrhage [including intraventricular hemorrhage] and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The effect of preoperative lumbar drainage has a significant role in predicting the result of shunt operation in patient with post-traumatic hydrocephalus.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.242-245
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• 2008

A 64-year-old man with TBI was admitted to our institute. In following days, he showed unusual behavior of agitation, restlessness, emotional instability and inattention. Post-traumatic delirium was tentatively diagnosed, and donepezil was given for his cognitive dysfunction. Although there was partial relief of agitation, he sustained back pain despite medication. Lumbar magnetic resonance image revealed SDH along the whole lumbar spine, and surgical drainage was followed. Postoperatively, his agitation disappeared and further medication was discontinued. We report a unique case of post-traumatic delirium in a patient with concomitant TBI and spinal subdural hemorrhage (SDH) that resolved with operative drainage of spinal hemorrhage.