• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.172-175
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• 2010

A 61-year-old man presented with chest pain and ST elevation, and he underwent coronary angiography under the impression of acute myocardial infarction. Coronary intervention under intra-aortic balloon pumping was necessary due to his hemodynamic instability from the acute total occlusion of a large obtuse marginal branch. In spite of successful intervention, the cardiogenic shock persisted, and so extracoporeal membranous oxygenation was performed to treat this. Afterwards, the cardiogenic shock still persisted, and the auscultatory and echocardiographic findings revealed severe acute mitral valve regurgitation. Emergency mitral valve replacement was then performed. The ECMO and IABP were removed on the $2^{nd}$ postoperative day. The patient was discharged on the $48^{th}$ postoperative day.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2015

Background: A schwannoma is a benign, slow-growing peripheral nerve sheath tumor that originates from Schwann cells. Orbital schwannomas are rare, accounting for only 1% of all orbital neoplasms. In this study, we retrospectively review orbital schwannomas and characterize clinical, radiologic, and histologic features of this rare entity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients with histologically confirmed orbital schwannoma, among a list of 437 patients who had visited our hospital with soft tissue masses within the orbit as the primary presentation between 2010 and 2014. Patient charts and medical records were reviewed for demographic information, relevant medical and family history, physical examination findings relating to ocular and extraocular sensorimotor function, operative details, postoperative complications, pathologic report, and recurrence. Results: Five patients (5/437, 1.1%) were identified as having histologically confirmed orbital schwannoma and underwent complete excision. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were not consistent in predicting histologic diagnosis. There were no complications, and none of the patients experienced significant scar formation. In two cases, patients exhibited a mild postoperative numbness of the forehead, but the patients demonstrated full recovery of sensation within 3 months after the operation. None of the five patients have experienced recurrence. Conclusion: Orbital schwannomas are relatively rare tumors. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of its variable presentation and location. Appropriate early assessment of orbital tumors by CT or MRI and prompt management is warranted to prevent the development of severe complications. Therefore, orbital schwannomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of slow-growing orbital masses.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 2006

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been increasingly used because of several advantages, less pain, better expectation for cosmesis (requires small incisions), and more rapid recovery compared with open cholecystectomy. Oral intake is tolerated on the day of operation or on the next. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children. Nine cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute and chronic cholecystitis in children were performed at Asan Medical Center between April 2002 and April 2004. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed on a total of 10 patients, but one of them was excluded because of the simultaneous splenectomy for sickle cell anemia. Clinical presentation, operative findings, operation time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Mean age was 10.4 (4.15) years, and only 3 of patients were less than 10 years. One patient was female. In 8 the diagnosis was calculous cholecystitis. Mild adhesions were found in 3 cases and intraoperative bile leakage in 2. There was no conversion to open surgery and there were no vascular, bowel, or bile duct injuries. Mean operation time was 82.2 (20.160) minutes; mean length of hospital stay was 2.1 (1.3) day. There was no postoperative complication. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children was remarkably free of side effects and complications and had a short recovery time. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholecystitis is considered to be a standard procedure in children.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6121-6125
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• 2013

Background: Endometrial cancers are the most common gynecologic cancers. Endometrial sampling is a preferred procedure for diagnosis of the endometrial pathology. It is performed routinely in many clinics prior to surgery in order to exclude an endometrial malignancy. We aimed to investigate the accuracy of endometrial sampling in the diagnosis of endometrial pathologies and which findings need intra-operative frozen sections. Materials and Methods: Three hundred nine women applying to a university hospital and undergoing endometrial sampling and hysterectomy between 2010 and 2012 were included to this retrospective study. Data were retrieved from patient files and pathology archives. Results: There was 17 patients with malignancy but endometrial sampling could detect this in only 10 of them. The endometrial sampling sensitivity and specificity of detecting cancer were 58.8% and 100%, with negative and positive predictive values of 97.6%, and 100%, respectively. In 7 patients, the endometrial sampling failed to detect malignancy; 4 of these patients had a preoperative diagnosis of complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia and 2 patients had a post-menopausal endometrial polyps and 1 with simple endometrial hyperplasia. Conclusions: There is an increased risk of malignancy in post-menopausal women especially with endometrial polyps and complex atypia hyperplasia. Endometrial sampling is a good choice for the diagnosis of endometrial pathologies. However, the diagnosis should be confirmed by frozen section in patients with post-menopausal endometrial polyps and complex atypia hyperplasia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.203-207
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• 2012

Objective: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of screw fixation without bone fusion for unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fracture. Methods: Nine patients younger than 40 years underwent screw fixation without bone fusion, following postural reduction using a soft roll at the involved vertebra, in cases of burst fracture. Their motor power was intact in spite of severe canal compromise. The surgical procedure included postural reduction for 3 days and screw fixations at one level above, one level below and at the fractured level itself. The patients underwent removal of implants 12 months after the initial operation, due to possibility of implant failure. Imaging and clinical findings, including canal encroachment, vertebral height, clinical outcome, and complications were analyzed. Results: Prior to surgery, the mean pain score (visual analogue scale) was 8.2, which decreased to 2.2 at 12 months after screw fixation. None of the patients complained of worsening of pain during 6 months after implant removal. All patients were graded as having excellent or good outcomes at 6 months after implant removal. The proportion of canal compromise at the fractured level improved from 55% to 35% at 12 months after surgery. The mean preoperative vertebral height loss was 45.3%, which improved to 20.6% at 6 months after implant removal. There were no neurological deficits related to neural injury. The improved vertebral height and canal compromise were maintained at 6 months after implant removal. Conclusion: Short segment pedicle screw fixation, including fractured level itself, without bone fusion following postural reduction can be an effective and safe operative technique in the management of selected young patients suffering from unstable burst fracture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.281-287
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• 2013

Objective : Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare primary low-grade astrocytic tumor classified as WHO II. It is generally benign, but disease progression and malignant transformation have been reported. Prognostic factors for PXA and optimal therapies are not well known. Methods : The study period was January 2000 to March 2012. Data on MR findings, histology, surgical extents and adjuvant therapies were reviewed in twenty-two patients diagnosed with PXA. Results : The frequent symptoms of PXA included seizures, headaches and neurologic deficits. Tumors were most common in the temporal lobe followed by frontal, parietal and occipital lobes. One patient who died from immediate post-operative complications was excluded from the statistical analysis. Of the remaining 21 patients, 3 (14%) died and 7 (33%) showed disease progression. Atypical tumor location (p<0.001), peritumoral edema (p=0.022) and large tumor size (p=0.048) were correlated with disease progression, however, Ki-67 index and necrosis were not statistically significant. Disease progression occurred in three (21%) of 14 patients who underwent GTR, compared with 4 (57%) of 7 patients who did not undergo GTR, however, it was not statistically significant. Ten patients received adjuvant radiotherapy and the tumors were controlled in 5 of these patients. Conclusion : The prognosis for PXA is good; in our patients overall survival was 84%, and event-free survival was 59% at 3 years. Atypical tumor location, peritumoral edema and large tumor size are significantly correlated with disease progression. GTR may provide prolonged disease control, and adjuvant radiotherapy may be beneficial, but further study is needed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.505-511
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• 2016

Objective : Microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) involving the vertebral artery (VA) can be technically challenging. We investigated the therapeutic effects of a bioglue-coated Teflon sling technique on the VA during MVD in 42 cases. Methods : A bioglue-coated Teflon sling was crafted by the surgeon and applied to patients in whom neurovascular compression was caused by the VA. The radiologic data, intra-operative findings with detailed introduction of the procedure, and the clinical outcomes of each patient were reviewed and analyzed. Results : The 42 patients included in the analysis consisted of 22 females and 20 males, with an average follow-up duration of 76 months (range 24-132 months). Intraoperative investigation revealed that an artery other than the VA was responsible for the neurovascular compression in all cases : posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in 23 patients (54.7%) and anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) in 11 patients (26.2%). All patients became symptom-free after MVD. Neither recurrence nor postoperative neurological deficit was noted during the 2-year follow-up, except in one patient who developed permanent deafness. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurred in three patients, and one required dural repair. Conclusion : Transposition of the VA using a bioglue-coated Teflon sling is a safe and effective surgical technique for HFS involving the VA. A future prospective study to compare clinical outcomes between groups with and without use of this novel technique is required.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.257-261
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• 2017

Objective : This study was conducted to assess the surgical results of one-stage posterior minimal laminectomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of thoracic dumbbell tumor and to describe its precise technique. In addition, we investigated the technique's usefulness and limitations. Methods : Seven cases of thoracic dumbbell tumor (two men and five women, mean age, 43 years) were analyzed retrospectively. Pathological findings included schwannoma in four patients, neurofibroma in two patients, and hemangioma in one patient. The location of tumors varied from T2/3 to T12/L1. Dumbbell tumors were resected by one-stage operation using posterior laminectomy followed by VATS without instrumentation. Clinical data were reviewed. Results : The mean follow-up period was 25 months (range, 3-58 months), and the operative time ranged from 255 to 385 min (mean, 331 min), with estimated blood loss ranging from 110 to 930 mL (mean, 348 mL). The tumor was completely resected without instrumentation and postoperative instability in all cases. Postoperative complications included atelectasis and facial anhydrosis in one case each. Conclusion : One-stage posterior minimal laminectomy and VATS may be a safe and less invasive technique for removal of thoracic dumbbell tumor without instability. This method has the advantage of early ambulation and rapid recovery because it reduces blood loss and postoperative pain.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5409-5413
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• 2013

Background: To assess the accuracy of ultrasound in differentiating endometrioma from ovarian cancer and to describe pattern recognition for atypical endometriomas mimicking ovarian cancers. Materials and Methods: Patients scheduled for elective surgery for adnexal masses were sonographically evaluated for endometrioma within 24 hours of surgery. All examinations were performed by the same experienced sonographer, who had no any information of the patients, to differentiate between endometriomas and non-endometriomas using a simple rule (classic ground-glass appearance) and subjective impression (pattern recognition). The final diagnosis as a gold standard relied on either pathological or post-operative findings. Results: Of 638 patients available for analysis, 146 were proven to be endometriomas. Of them, the simple rule and subjective impression could sonographically detect endometriomas with sensitivities of 64.4% (94/146) and 89.7% (131/146), respectively. Of 52 endometriomas with false negative tests by the simple rule, 13 were predicted as benign masses and 39 were mistaken for malignancy. Solid masses and papillary projections were the most common forms mimicking ovarian cancer, consisting of 38.5% of the missed diagnoses. However, with pattern recognition (subjective impression), 32 from 39 cases mimicking ovarian cancer were correctly predicted for endometriomas. All endometriomas subjectively predicted for ovarian malignancy were associated with high vascularization in the solid masses. Conclusions: Pattern recognition of endometriomas by subjective assessment had a higher sensitivity than the simple rule in characterization of endometriomas. Most endometriomas mimicking ovarian malignancy could be correctly predicted by subjective impression based on familiarity of pattern recognition.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2011

Objective : The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence of dural tears and predictable factors suggesting dural tears in patients who had lumbar burst fractures with vertical laminar fractures. Methods : A retrospective review was done on thirty-one patients who underwent operative treatment for lumbar burst fractures with vertical laminar fractures between January 2003 and December 2008. All patients were divided into two groups according to existence of dural tears, which were surgically confirmed; 21 patients with dural tears and 10 patients without dural tears. Clinical and radiographic findings were analyzed for their association with dural tears. Results : Among a total of 31 patients, dural tears were detected in 21 (67%) patients. A preoperative neurological deficits and mean separation distances of the edges in laminar fractures were found to be the reliable factors of dural tears (p=0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Decreased ratio of the central canal diameter and interpedicular distance were also the reliable factors suggesting dural tears (p=0.006 and 0.015, respectively). However, dural tears showed no significant association with age, sex, level of injury, absence of a posterior fat pad signal, the angle of retropulsed segment, or site of laminar fracture. Conclusion : Our study of lumbar burst fracture combined laminar fracture revealed that dural tears should be ruled out in cases of a preoperative neurological deficits, wide separation of the laminar fracture, severe canal encroachment, and wider interpedicular distance.