• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.249-251
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• 2013

Pneumocephalus is a condition characterized by the presence of air in the cranium, and it is mainly caused by trauma or a neurosurgical procedure. In the absence of head trauma or a neurosurgical procedure, meningitis is an extremely rare cause of pneumocephalus. Here, the authors present a rare case of spontaneous pneumocephalus caused by pneumococcal meningitis, in which simple lateral radiography and computed tomography (CT) findings of the skull suggested the diagnosis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed bacterial meningitis which later revealed streptococcus pneumonia. The patient was treated with antibiotics and responded remarkably well. Repeat CT performed after 2 weeks of treatment showed complete resolution of the intracranial gas. Here, the authors report an unusual case of a pneumocephalus caused by meningitis in the absence of head trauma or a neurosurgical procedure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.158-160
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• 2010

The authors present a case of multiple intracranial calcifications after the procedure of external ventricular drain placement in a 50-year-old man with pericallosal artery aneurysm. We believe that calcifications formed dust that had fallen into the track during the external ventricular drain procedure. The clinical features and radiological findings are presented with review of literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.292-295
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• 2012

Many reports have been published on complications related to middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm surgical clipping procedures. We report an emergency intracranial in situ bypass surgery case which was performed as a rescue procedure after aneurysmal neck laceration during clipping of an MCA large aneurysm. In this case, we performed in situ M3-superficial temporal artery (STA) interposition graft-M3 bypass procedure. If a STA-MCA anastomosis is not available under MCA flow obstruction, we can consider an emergency in situ MCA-MCA bypass procedure with or without an STA interposition graft.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.373-379
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• 2020

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the main procedure in carotid surgery, as well as the most frequent vascular procedure. Two techniques of CEA are available : eversion and conventional plus patch angioplasty. Eversion CEA is anatomic procedure that reduces ischemic and total operative time. Simultaneous correction of the joined carotid kinking and coiling is possible, easy and safe, while the usage of patch is excluded. Thanks to oblique shape of anastomosis, eversion CEA is associated with low risk of long-term restenosis. The false anastomotic aneurysms occurrence is very rare, almost impossible after eversion CEA. However, the usage of carotid shunt during eversion CEA is not always simple, while proximal or distal extension of the carotid plaque can make eversion CEA more difficult and risky. Eversion CEA should be the first choice in carotid surgery. Conventional CEA is indicated in cases when carotid plaque is extended more than usual, as well as, if the usage of carotid shunt is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.48-50
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• 2011

A 57-year-old man presented with a 2-day history of left oculomotor palsy. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the left cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) measuring $37{\times}32mm$. The pseudoaneurysm was treated with a balloon expandable graft-stent to occlude the aneurysmal neck and preserve the parent artery. A post-procedure angiogram confirmed normal patency of the ICA and complete sealing of the aneurysmal neck with no opacification of the sac. After the procedure, the oculomotor palsy improved gradually, and had completely resolved 3 months after the procedure. A graft-stent can be an effective treatment for a pseudoaneurysm of the cavernous ICA with preservation of the parent artery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.292-295
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• 2006

Isolated fourth ventricle[IFV] is a rare entity producing symptoms of a progressive posterior fossa mass lesion. It is mainly reported in a patient who undergo shunt placement as its late complication. However, its surgical management has been difficult and its optional treatment remains controversial. We had an occasion to admit 19-year-old female to our hospital due to hydrocephalus : she had a history of meningitis when she was 2 years old. Ten years later she was diagnosed as hydrocephalus and managed by lateral ventriculo-peritoneal shunting procedure. Seven years after the procedure, the patient presented with headache, nausea, truncal ataxia and nystagmus. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance image scan demonstrated markedly enlarged fourth ventricle : and thus, neuroendoscopic aqueductoplasty and aqueductal stent insertion was performed. The authors present a case of an IFV after lateral ventriculo-peritoneal shunting for hydrocephalus, which was treated successfully with a neuroendoscopic surgery. The technique of this procedure is described below.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.204-209
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• 2006

Objective : The authors retrospectively evaluate the benefits of the various pain procedures for the treatment of low back pain unresponsive to conservative management. Methods : Over a period of 2 years from May 2002 and June 2004, the authors had performed various pain procedures on 106 patients with low back pain. Epidural block, facet joint block, sacroiliac joint block, and myofascial block were included among various pain procedures. The pain improvement, period of analgesic use, and degree of satisfaction were evaluated 1 day, 4 weeks, and 6 months after injections. The outcome of pain procedures was analyzed by using a modified Macnab criteria. Results : Sixty-four patients had a single procedure with no combination and 42 patients [39.6%] received the combination of the various pain procedure. Regardless of the single or combination cases of procedure, combination of appropriate spinal level on each procedure was conducted in 104 [98.1%]. Mean follow up period was 12.2 months. Eighty-two patients [77.4%] experienced significant pain relief and overall analgesic medication was reduced in 91 patients [85.8%] at 6 months after procedure. Unfavorable results were demonstrated in 10 patients. Permanent procedural complications did not occur. Conclusion : The various pain procedures are the possible therapeutic option for low back pain unresponsive to conservative management including medication or physical therapy.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.44
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• pp.279.1-279.16
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• 2018

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a new emerging neurosurgical procedure applied in a wide range of clinical fields. It can generate high-intensity energy at the focal zone in deep body areas without requiring incision of soft tissues. Although the effectiveness of the focused ultrasound technique had not been recognized because of the skull being a main barrier in the transmission of acoustic energy, the development of hemispheric distribution of ultrasound transducer phased arrays has solved this issue and enabled the performance of true transcranial procedures. Advanced imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance thermometry could enhance the safety of MRgFUS. The current clinical applications of MRgFUS in neurosurgery involve stereotactic ablative treatments for patients with essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, or neuropathic pain. Other potential treatment candidates being examined in ongoing clinical trials include brain tumors, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy, based on MRgFUS abilities of thermal ablation and opening the blood-brain barrier. With the development of ultrasound technology to overcome the limitations, MRgFUS is gradually expanding the therapeutic field for intractable neurological disorders and serving as a trail for a promising future in noninvasive and safe neurosurgical care.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.385-387
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• 2011

Leptomeningeal metastasis is a devastating complication of advanced stage cancer. It is frequently accompanied by hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension that must be treated by ventriculoperitoneal shunts. However, there are actual risks of peritoneal seeding or accumulation of malignant ascites after the cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedure, though it has not been reported. Here, we present the case of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer with leptomeningeal metastasis in whom malignant ascites developed after a subduroperitoneal shunt.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.306-314
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• 2017

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has now become an accepted mode of hydrocephalus treatment in children. Varying degrees of success for the procedure have been reported depending on the type and etiology of hydrocephalus, age of the patient and certain technical parameters. Review of these factors for predictability of success, complications and validation of success score is presented.