• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.231-238
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• 2001

Vertebral artery injury is a rare complication of anterior cervical approach. We report two patients who suffered injury to vertebral artery during anterior cervical spine surgery. The mechanism of injury, their operative management, and the subsequent outcome were assessed and relevant literatures reviewed. The awareness of the possibility of vertebral artery injury is most important to prevent and it's occurrence is best avoided by a thorough understanding of the anatomical relationships of the artery, the spinal canal, and the vertebral body and careful use of surgical instruments.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.476-484
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to report the clinical characteristics of glossodynia patients and effects of traditional Korean treatment on glossodynia and to gather data in order to carry out future study. Methods : We surveyed 40 glossodynia patients visiting the Department of Korean Internal Medicine of Stroke and Neurological Disorders Center, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong and analyzed their glossodynia questionnaires, examination results, and progression of symptoms. Results : In Glossodynia patients the average age was 62.4 years old. Glossodynia was more prevalent in females than males (5.67:1). Red tongue color, white fur, and fissured tongue were observed most often. The average glossodynia duration was 36.1 months and the average glossodynia degree was VAS 5.6. The most commonly appearing symptom was burning sense, and dryness of tongue. In Korean medicine diagnosis, Yin, deficiency, Tae-eum was most commonly diagnosed. In herbal medicine, Gamichungsim-tang was the most frequently prescribed. In laboratory tests, zinc deficiency was the most common result. In heart rate variability (HRV), average SDNN was 34.03 and average LF/HF ratio was 2.11. Of 40 patients, 23 completed treatment and their pain was relieved from average VAS 5.52 to VAS 3.63. Pre-and post-treatment results showed a significant difference. The average duration of treatment was 34.91 days. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that Korean medical approach and treatment for glossodynia could be effective. Further study should be conducted for more valuable information.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.696-707
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• 2009

Objective : We designed this study to investigate differences between stroke reattack and stroke first attack group to establish fundamental data and prevent a secondary stroke. Methods : 826 subjects were recruited from the patients admitted to the department of internal medicine at Kyung Hee University Oriental Medical Center, Kyung Hee University East-West Neo Medical Center, Kyungwon University Incheon Oriental Medical Center, Kyungwon University Songpa Oriental Medical Center and Dongguk University Ilsan Oriental Medical Center from 1 April 2007 to 31 August 2009. We compared general characteristics, classification of diagnosis, subtypes of cerebral infarction, risk factors, Sasang constitution, diagnostic classifications between stroke reattck and stroke first attack groups. Results : 1. In general characteristics, age differed significantly between the reattck and first attack groups. 2. Classification of diagnosis differed significantly between reattck and first attack groups. 3. In risk factors, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, alcohol drinking, and stress were significantly different between reattck and first attack groups. 4. Diagnostic classifications were significantly different between reattck and first attack groups. Conclusion : To prevent recurrence of stroke, education on stroke risk factors associated with recurrence is needed. In addition, those who are diagnosed as Dampness-Phlegm need to be well-controlled.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.5-24
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• 1984

There has been an immense need for elaborate studies on the complications and the neuological sequelae generated by acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning which is highly prevalent in Korea due to widespread adoption of the anthracite coal briquette as domestic fuel for heating and for cooking. For this epidemiological study, a total of 444 subjects who received hospital emergency care for acute CO poisoning during the period of March 1982 to February 1983 were randomly selected from the emergency patients's lists of 13 general hospitals in Seoul area. Informations on the neurological sequelae were elucidated by means of home visiting with prearranged questionnaire consisting questions and concise neurological examination. The findings obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The complications were found in 18% of the surveyed and acute decubitus was comprised 67.5% of the complications. 2. The total cumulative incidence of the neurological sequelae was 41.2 per 100 patients and the absolute incidence rate regardless of the duration after poisoning was 40.8%. 3. The incidence of the neurological sequelae was higher in the older age than in the younger and also higher in female than in male. Twice higher incidence was observed in the admitted patients than in the non-admitted patients and the incidence became higher in proportion to the duration of CO exposure, coma and admission. The poorer the consciousness level of patients found, at emergency room and at discharge, the higher the incidence. The incidence of the neurological sequelae by emergency care was higher in hyperbaric oxygen therapy group(51.9%) than in 100% $O_2$ group(38.0%) 4. A total of five variables significantly associated with the occurrence of the neurological sequelae were selected by the stepwise discriminant analysis. The variables were following course of emergency care, age, consciousness level at discharge, admission duration, and consciousness level at emergency room in their sequence of discriminant power. Eight variables were selected as those associated with the degree of the neurological sequelae through the stepwise multiple regression analysis. Of these variables, the acute decubitus alone explained 21.1% of the total variation ana all the eight variables could explain 36.5% of the same. The remaining seven variables listed in the order of their relative importance were: age, consciousness level at discharge, admission duration, coma duration and consciousness level at emergency room. 5. It was postulated that unexpectedly high incidence of the neurological sequelae of the CO poisoning in this epidemiological study was mainly due to the inadequate emergency care and the lack of efficient and sophisticated treatment measure. In the effort to minimize the incidence of grave neurological sequelae of acute CO poisoning, new guidelines for the emergency care and treatment should be pursued with efficient ways.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2014

This report is about a case of an ataxia patient with sensory loss diagnosed with thalamic Infarction. The patient had symtoms of gait disturbances and dysmetria. We used Korean medicine treatment modalities including acupunture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion and herb medicines. The improvement of ataxia was evaluated by International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale and Balance master^Ⓡ system. After treatment, decreased scores of International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale and change of the trace of Balance master^Ⓡ system showed that symtoms of ataxia were improved. Sensory deficits and other conditions were also getting better. This report suggests that Korean medicine could have a therapeutic effect for Thalamic ataxia.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2009

Objects : This study propose to compare on general characteristics of acute stroke patients between Fire-Heat group and Deficiency of Yin group. Method : We recruited acute stroke patient within 4 weeks after stroke admitted to Department of Internal Medicine of Kyunghee University Oriental Medicial Center, Dongguk University Ilsan Oriental Medical Center, Kyungwon University Songpa Oriental Medical Centar and Kyungwon University Incheon Oriental Medical Center from April 2007 to August 2009. We investigate age, sex, type of stroke, past history, general characteristics, smoking, drinking alcohol, marriage sasang constitution, etc. Result : It was significant different in sex, smoking, dringking alcohol and marriage between Fire-Heat group and Deficiency Yin group. We need more cases for another result that could associate with diagnosis of stroke. Conclusion : We found that Fire heat group was more associated with lifestyle than deficiency yin group. Further study will be needed to analysis for the diagnosis and the treatments of stroke.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2013

Purpose: In assessing patients' neurological status following a stroke it is very important to have a valid tool for early detection of neurological deterioration. NIHSS is considered the best tool to reflect neurological status in patients with ischemic stroke. An education program on use of NIHSS was planned for nurses caring for these patients and the effects of the program were evaluated. Methods: The NIHSS education program (NEP) which includes online and video lectures, and practical education was provided to the nurses from April to July, 2010. To examine the effect of NEP, nursing records of patients with ischemic stroke who were admitted to a stroke center were analyzed. Two groups, a historical control group (n=100) and the study group (n=115) were included. Results: Nursing records for neurologic symptoms for each patient increased (41.0% versus 100.0%, p<.001), and especially, visual disturbance, facial palsy. limb paralysis and ataxia, language disturbance, dysarthria, and neglect symptoms significantly increased (all p<.001). Nurse notification to the doctor of patients with neurological changes increased (21.0% versus 39.1%, p=.004), and nurses' neurological deterioration detection rates also increased (37.5% versus 84.6%, p=.009). Conclusion: NEP improved the quality of nursing records for neurological assessment and the detection rate of neurological deterioration.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.329-333
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• 2011

Objective : As medical advances have increased life expectancy, it has become imperative to develop specific treatment strategies for intracranial aneurysms in the elderly. We therefore analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients older than 70 years. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and results of neuroimaging modalities on 54 aneurysms of 48 consecutive patients with un ruptured intracranial aneurysms. ($mean{\pm}SD$ age, $72.11{\pm}1.96$ years; range, 70-78 years) who underwent surgical clipping over 10 years (May 1999 to June 2010). Results : Of the 54 aneurysms, 22 were located in the internal carotid artery, 19 in the middle cerebral artery, 12 in the anterior cerebral artery, and 1 in the superior cerebellar artery. Six patients had multiple aneurysms. Aneurysm size ranged from 3 mm to 17 mm ($mean{\pm}SD$, $6.82{\pm}3.07$ mm). Fifty of the 54 aneurysms (92.6%) were completely clipped. Three-month outcomes were excellent in 50 (92.6%) aneurysms and good and poor in 2 each (3.7%), with 1 death (2.0%). Procedure-related complications occurred in 7 aneurysms (13.0%), with 2 (3.7%) resulting in permanent neurological deficits, including death. No postoperative subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred during follow-up. The cumulative rates of stroke- or death-free survival at 5 and 10 years were 100% and 78%, respectively. Conclusion : Surgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in elderly group could get it as a favorable outcome in well selected cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.382-386
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• 2007

Objective : Various techniques of cervical laminoplasty have been developed to decompress the spinal canal in patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. This study compared the early surgical outcomes between unilateral open-door laminoplasty and midline splitting cervical laminoplasty. Materials and Methods : From March 2004 to August 2005, we performed cervical laminoplasty in 34 patients with cervical myelopathy. Of these patients, 24 were treated by unilateral open-door laminoplasty [open-door group] and 10 by midline splitting cervical laminoplasty [splitting group]. The mean duration of follow up was 9.2 months in the open-door group and 15.8 months in the splitting group. We retrospectively analyzed neurological outcomes using the Japanese Orthopedic Association [JOA] score, and compared the radiological changes between the two groups. Results : Postoperative JOA score and recovery rate were $13.29{\pm}4.01$ and $56.28{\pm}44.91%$ in the open-door group and $15.75{\pm}0.88$ and $72.69{\pm}19.99%$ in the splitting group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups [p>0.05]. Regarding the radiological assessment, the increase of postoperative axial canal area was $63.23{\pm}23.24%$ in the open-door group and $42.30{\pm}14.96%$ in the splitting group [p<0,05]. Conclusion : There was no statistical difference in the neurological outcome when the early surgical outcomes of the open-door group and the splitting group were compared. However, the open-door group showed wider cervical spinal canal areas than the splitting group.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup2
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• pp.289-293
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• 2001

Objectives : The optimal treatment of craniopharyngioma is controversial. Despite recent advances in microsurgical management, complete surgical removal of craniopharyngioma remains very difficult. Radiation added to surgery is effective, but radiation therapy resulted in untoward side effect in young patient. Gamma knife radiosurgery offers the theoretical advantage of a reduced radiation dose to surrounding structures during the treatment of residual or recurrent craniopharyngioma compared with fractionated radiotheraphy. We described retrospective analysis of tumor size and clinical symptoms of patients after gamma knife radiosurgery in residual or recurrent craniopharyngioma were performed. Material and Methods : From September 1990 to January 2000, 18 patients of craniopharyngioma were treated by gamma knife radiosurgery. All patient had undergone surgery, but residual or recurrent tumor was found and all of them treated postoperative gamma knife radiosurgery. The mean age was 19(from 6 to 66) and male to female ratio was 10 to 8 and 8 patients were below 15 years old. In young age group(below age 15), the average volume of the tumor was $2904.8mm^3$ and mean maximal gamma knife dose was 34.9Gy. In old age group(older than 15), the average volume of the tumor was $2590.4mm^3$ and mean maximal gamma knife dose was 45.2Gy. The size of the tumor was average $2730.1mm^3$($88-12000mm^3$), mean average radiation dose was 40.7Gy and the mean prescription dose was 17.6 Gy(4-35Gy) delivered to a median prescription 50.7% isodose. Results : The follow up was from 1 year to 9 years(mean 59.1 months) after gamma knife radiosurgery. The tumor was controlled in 13(72.2%) patients. The tumor decreased in 9 patients and not changed in 4 patients. The tumor size increased in 4(22.2%) patients during follow up period. In two cases the tumor size increased because of its cystic portion was increased, but their solid portion of the tumor was not changed. In another two patients, the solid portion of the tumor was increased. So, one patient underwent reoperation and the other patient underwent operation and repeated gamma knife radiosurgery. The tumor recurred in one case(5.6%) that is a outside of irradiated site. The presenting symptoms were improved in 4 patients(improved visual acuity in 1, controlled increased intracranial presure sign in 3 patients). In one case, visual acuity decreased after gamma knife radiosurgery. The endocrine symptoms were not influenced by gamma knife radiosurgery. Conclusion : Craniopharyngioma can be treated successfully by gamma knife radiosurgery. Causes of the tumor regrowth are inadequate dose planning because of postoperatively poor margination of the tumor, close approximation of optic nerve and residual tumors outside the target lesion. Recurrence can develop 4 years after gamma knife radiosurgery. Volume is important, but the accurate targeting is more important to prevent tumor recurrence. If the tumor definition is not clear during planning gamma knife surgery, long-term image follow up is required.