• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.216-220
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• 1996

In the present paper, a new type of DC arc plasma torch is disclosed. The principles of the new magnetic and fluid dynamic controlled large orifice long discharge tunnel plasma torch is discussed. Two series of DC Plasma Jet diamond film deposition equipment have been developed. The 20kW Jet equipped with a $\Phi$70 mm orifice torch is capable of deposition diamond films at a growth rate as high as 40$\mu\textrm{m}$/h over a substrate area of $\Phi$65 mm. The 100kW high power Jet which is newly developed based on the experience of the low power model is equipped with a $\Phi$120 mm orifice torch, and is capable of depositing diamond films over a substrate area of $\Phi$110 mm at growth rate as high as 40 $\mu\textrm{m}$/h, and can be operated at gas recycling mode, which allows 95% of the gases be recycled. It is demonstrated that the new type DC plasma torch can be easily scaled up to even higher power Jet. It is estimated that even by the 100kW Jet, the cost for tool grade diamond films can be as low as less than ＄4/carat.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.134-140
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• 2010

Synovial condromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is characterized by the presence of loose bodies (joint mices). It can be confused with temporomandibular disorder clinically, and be with chondrosarcoma histologically. The purpose of this clinical report was to review the clinical, radiological, arthroscopic findings, histological feature and the results of surgical treatment of TMJ synovial chondromatosis. Four patients presented with pain of TMJ and limited mouth opening. The dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a characteristic morphologic changes and displacement of the meniscus with limited translation of the condyle head. Bone scans showed progressive resorptive changes with hot-uptake of the radioisotope. The synovial loose bodies in the joint spaces were removed and sent to pathology for diagnosis as the synovial chondromatosis. The follow-up examination with computed tomography (CT) and MRI revealed no evidence of recurrence and good in function until postoperative 18 months. Diagnostically, the distension of the lateral capsule and fluid findings in the joint on the MRI are very suggestive tool for this synovial chondromatosis, but they are not always detected on the preoperative MRI. Arthroscopic approaches are very useful to inspect the joint spaces and to remove the loose bodies without interruption of the whole synovial membranes.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.168-171
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• 2016

Signalment: An 8-month-old female Alaskan malamute was presented for progressive cluster seizure disorder. Results: There were no abnormalities on neurological examination, survey radiographs, or blood analysis. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography revealed extension of the olfactory bulb and frontal lobe into the nasal cavity. They also confirmed abnormal anatomy of the nasal turbinates within the rostral part of the nasal cavity and the absence of a cribriform plate. On T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images, the herniated brain showed heterogeneous and hyperintense signals consistent with intraparenchymal edema. Transverse MR images showed brain herniation into the right frontal cavity and an asymmetrical lateral ventricle because of a left midline shift. On contrast-enhanced MR images, the protruding brain parenchyma was mildly enhanced. Ethmoidal encephalocele was suspected as the final diagnosis. Despite symptomatic treatment, the dog continued to exhibit seizures and was euthanized. Clinical relevance: Ethmoidal encephalocele is a rare disease in dogs. However, it could be considered as a cause of seizure in young dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.755-759
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• 2010

A 6-year-old, intact female Dachshund was presented with generalized seizure for 2 days. Based on the neurologic and physical examinations, intracranial diseases were suspected. 1.5T and 7.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain were taken. The MRI results revealed diffuse hyperintense lesions in the area of the diencephalon to the medulla oblongata in the T2-weighted images. Canine distemper virus-induced meningoencephalitis was confirmed by the result of RT-PCR of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The dog was euthanized 7 days after diagnosis due to poor prognosis and clinical deterioration. Postmortem histopathologic examination was consistent with the MRI findings. This is the first case report using 1.5T and 7.0T MRI to compare the virus-induced intracranial lesions in meningoencephalitis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.334-340
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• 2015

Objective : Pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs) in adults are rare, and knowledge regarding their optimal management and treatment outcome is limited. Herein, we present the clinical results of our series of PPTs other than pineoblastomas managed by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) at upfront setting. Methods : Between 1997 and 2014, nine consecutive adult patients with the diagnosis of PPTs, either pineocytoma or pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation, were treated with SRS. There were 6 men and 3 women. The median age was 39 years (range, 31-53 years). All of the patients presented with symptoms of hydrocephalus. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and biopsy was done for initial management. After histologic diagnosis, patients were treated with Gamma Knife with the mean dose of 13.3 Gy (n=3) or fractionated Cyberknife with 32 Gy (n=6). Results : After a mean follow-up of 78.6 months (range, 14-223 months), all patients were alive and all of their tumors were locally controlled except for one instance of cerebrospinal fluid seeding metastasis. On magnetic resonance images, tumor size decreased in all patients, resulting in complete response in 3 patients and partial response in 6. One patient had experienced temporary memory impairment after SRS, which improved spontaneously. Conclusion : SRS is effective and safe for PPTs in adults and can be considered as a useful alternative to surgical resection at upfront setting.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2012

Objective : The objective of study is to evaluate the incidence of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) in breast cancer patients with parenchymal brain metastases (PBM) and clinical risk factors for the development of LMC. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 27 patients who had undergone surgical resection (SR) and 156 patients with whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) as an initial treatment for their PBM from breast cancer in our institution and compared the difference of incidence of LMC according to clinical factors. The diagnosis of LMC was made by cerebrospinal fluid cytology and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Results : A total of 27 patients (14%) in the study population developed LMC at a median of 6.0 months (range, 1.0-50). Ten of 27 patients (37%) developed LMC after SR, whereas 17 of 156 (11%) patients who received WBRT were diagnosed with LMC after the index procedure. The incidence of LMC was significantly higher in the SR group compared with the WBRT group and the hazard ratio was 2.95 (95% confidence interval; 1.33-6.54, p<0.01). Three additional factors were identified in the multivariable analysis : the younger age group (<40 years old), the progressing systemic disease showed significantly increased incidence of LMC, whereas the adjuvant chemotherapy reduce the incidence. Conclusion : There is an increased risk of LMC after SR for PBM from breast cancer compared with WBRT. The young age (<40) and systemic burden of cancer in terms of progressing systemic disease without adjuvant chemotherapy could be additional risk factors for the development of LMC.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.240-244
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• 2008

Objective : Sotos Syndrome is characterized by macrocephaly, overgrowth, and developmental delay, and more than 300 patients have been reported worldwide to date. The authors reviewed the clinical characteristics of 8 patients with Sotos Syndrome in Korea for a new understanding and treatment strategies. Methods : The medical records of a total of eight Korean children with Sotos Syndrome were reviewed. All patients underwent developmental checkup, lumbar punctures for measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP), brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography. Results : All 8 patients showed macrocephaly and the characteristic craniofacial features of Sotos Syndrome. Other clinical characteristics shown were overgrowth (7/8), developmental delay (7/8), congenital heart defect (3/8), flat foot (8/8), scoliosis (4/8), spina bifida (8/8), hydrocephalus (4/8), cavum vergae (3/8), and increased subdural fluid collection (5/8). Mean ICP measured via lumbar puncture was $27.35{\pm}6.25\;cm$ $H_2O$ (range 20 to 36 cm $H_2O$). Two patients received ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, and 1 patient underwent subduro-peritoneal shunt with improvement. Spinal orthosis was applied to 4/5 patients with scoliosis and 4/8 children with flat foot were provided with foot orthosis. Conclusion : In this first Korean study of 8 Sotos Syndrome patients we demonstrated the presence of spina bifida and increased ICP, which had not been previously described. The authors therefore suggest that all patients with Sotos Syndrome should undergo examination for the presence of spina bifida, and that shunt procedures would improve development and alleviate clinical symptoms.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2015

Group D streptococci are known to cause newborn septicemia and meningitis, but the Streptococcus bovis group strains rarely cause serious neonatal infections in Korea. Central nervous system (CNS) complications of neonatal S. bovis group infection have rarely been reported. In adults, S. bovis group strains cause bacteremia and endocarditis, and are associated with gastrointestinal malignancy. However, only a few studies have reported meningitis and septicemia in infants. Here, we describe a case of bacteremia and meningitis due to Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus with a delayed CNS complication in an infant. A 28-day-old male infant was admitted to the hospital with a 1-day history of fever. Cultures of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine showed the presence of S. bovis group strain-S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus. He was discharged after 21 days of intravenous ampicillin and cefotaxime administration. Two weeks later, he was readmitted with a fever and short episodes of tonic-clonic movements. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed marked bilateral frontal subdural effusion. He was discharged after 31 days of antibiotic therapy, and no neurological sequelae were observed at the 9-month follow-up. In conclusion, we present a rare case of neonatal S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus infection causing urinary tract infection, septicemia, meningitis, and delayed CNS complications. This case emphasizes the need for physicians to be aware of S. bovis infection in infants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.64-67
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• 2018

We report the case of a 12-year-old girl who had mild encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) associated with acutepyelonephritis caused by Escherichia coli. The patient was admitted with a high fever, and she was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis based on pyuria and the results of urine culture, which detected cefotaxime-sensitive E. coli. Although intravenous cefotaxime and tobramycin were administered, her fever persisted and her C-reactive protein level increased to 307 mg/L. On day 3 of admission, she demonstrated abnormal neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as delirium, ataxia, and word salad. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain performed on day 4 showed marked hyperintensities in the bilateral corpus callosum and deep white matter on diffusion-weighted images, with corresponding diffusion restriction on apparent diffusion coefficient mapping. No abnormalities or pathogens were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid; however, lipopolysaccharides (LPS, endotoxin) were detected in plasma (41.6 pg/mL), associated with acute neurological deterioration. Her clinical condition gradually improved, and no neurological abnormalities were observed on day 6. Follow-up brain MRI performed 2 weeks later showed near-disappearance of the previously noted hyperintense lesions. In this patient, we first proved endotoxemia in a setting of MERS. The release of LPS following antibiotic administration might be related to the development of MERS in this patient. The possibility of MERS should be considered in patients who present with acute pyelonephritis and demonstrate delirious behavior.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.366-370
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• 2001

Objective : The authors present three cases of brain tumors in which epidural hematomas(EDHs) were developed postoperatively in the remote areas from craniotomy sites. The preventive tactics as well as possible mechanisms of development of remote EDH are discussed. Material and Methods : The magnetic resonance imagings of three patients revealed a left lateral ventricular mass located just aside of foramen Monro in a 27-year-old male, a large cystic mass in the temporal lobe in a 35-year-old male, and a partially calcified pineal mass in a 27-year-old male patient. The surgical removals of these tumors were performed without any noticeable events during surgery via left frontal transcortical transventricular approach for lateral ventricular tumor, left temporal craniotomy for cystic temporal tumor, and right occipital transtentorial approach for pineal tumor. Results : Postoperative EDHs remote from the sites of craniotomy were detected by the immediate postoperative computerized tomographic scans. We obtained good outcomes without any morbidity in all three patients with emergent evacuation of the hematoma. The pathologic diagnoses were lateral ventricular ependymoastrocytoma, temporal craniopharyngioma and mixed germinoma of the pineal region. Conclusion : It is postulated that a sudden reduction of intracranial pressure(ICP) at the time of tumor removal may strip the dura from the inner table of the skull to cause EDH from the remote site of craniotomy. Gradual reduction of ICP with slow drainage of cerebrospinal fluid before tumor removal as well as lowering the head position of patient during surgery might be helpful for preventing this unusual complication.