• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2023

Objective : Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are nonneoplastic cysts. Most of them are asymptomatic and stable; when symptomatic, RCCs are surgically fenestrated and drained. However, the outcomes remain unclear. The authors evaluated the outcomes of RCC decompression. Methods : Between 2004 and 2019, 32 RCCs were decompressed in a single tertiary institution. The clinical characteristics, intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, and endocrinological and surgical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent sequential imaging at least twice and at least 12 months after surgery were included in the analysis. Results : Patients' mean age was 40.8±14.9 years, and 62.5% were women. The mean follow-up duration was 62.3±48.6 months. In 21 patients (65.6%), no residual cysts were identified on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Of the 18 patients with preoperative visual field defects, 17 (94.4%) experienced postoperative visual improvement. Postoperative complications included endocrinological deterioration in 11 patients (34.4%), permanent diabetes insipidus in 11 (34.4%), infection in four (12.5%), intrasellar hemorrhage in three (9.4%), and cerebrospinal fluid leak in two (6.3%). Follow-up images revealed cyst recurrence in nine patients (28.1%), an average of 20.4 months after surgery; in three patients, the cysts were symptomatic, and resection was repeated. Multivariable analysis revealed that postoperative endocrinological deterioration was the only independent factor associated with cyst recurrence (p=0.028; hazard ratio, 6.800). Conclusion : Our findings showed that although only cyst fenestration for decompression was performed to preserve pituitary function, more pituitary dysfunction occurred than expected. Besides, the postoperative hormonal deterioration itself acted as a risk factor for cyst recurrence. In conclusion, surgery for RCC should be more careful.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.665-670
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• 2021

Symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and delayed ischemic neurologic deficit (DIND) after unruptured aneurysm surgery are extremely rare. Its onset timing is variable, and its mechanisms are unclear. We report two cases of CVS with DIND after unruptured aneurysm surgery and review the literature regarding potential mechanisms. The first case is a 51-year-old woman with non-hemorrhagic vasospasm after unruptured left anterior communicating artery aneurysm surgery. She presented with delayed vasospasm on postoperative day 14. The second case is a 45-year-old woman who suffered from oculomotor nerve palsy caused by an unruptured posterior communicatig artery (PCoA) aneurysm. DIND with non-hemorrhagic vasospasm developed on postoperative day 12. To our knowledge, this is the first report of symptomatic CVS with oculomotor nerve palsy following unruptured PCoA aneurysm surgery. CVS with DIND after unruptured aneurysm surgery is very rare and can be triggered by multiple mechanisms, such as hemorrhage, mechanical stress to the arterial wall, or the trigemino-cerebrovascular system. For unruptured aneurysm surgery, although it is rare, careful observation and treatments can be needed for postoperative CVS with DIND.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2009

Objective : This study was performed to elucidate the technical and patient-specific risk factors for postoperative ischemia in patients undergoing temporary arterial occlusion (TAO) during the surgical repair of their aneurysms. Methods : Eighty-nine consecutive patients in whom TAO was performed during surgical repair of an aneurysm were retrospectively analyzed. The demographics of the patients were analyzed with respect to age. Hunt and Hess grade on admission, Fisher grade of hemorrhage, aneurysm characteristics, timing of surgery, duration of temporary occlusion, and number of temporary occlusive episodes. Outcome was analyzed at the 3-month follow-up, along with the occurrence of symptomatic and radiological stroke. Results : In overall, twenty-seven patients (29.3%) had radiologic ischemia attributable to TAO and fifteen patients (16.3%) had symptomatic ischemia attributable to TAO. Older age and poor clinical grade were associated with poor clinical outcome. There was a significantly higher rate of symptomatic ischemia in patients who underwent early surgery (p=0.007). The incidence of ischemia was significantly higher in patients with TAO longer than 10 minutes (p=0.01). In addition, patients who underwent repeated TAO, which allowed reperfusion, had a lower incidence of ischemia than those who underwent single TAO lasting for more than 10 minutes (p=0.011). Conclusion : Duration of occlusion is the only variable that needs to be considered when assessing the risk of postoperative ischemic complication in patients who undergo temporary vascular occlusion. Attention must be paid to the patient's age, grade of hemorrhage, and the timing of surgery. In addition, patients undergoing dissection when brief periods of temporary occlusion are performed may benefit more from intermittent reperfusion than continuous clip application. With careful planning, the use of TAO is a safe technique when used for periods of less than 10 minutes.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.190-196
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• 2021

Objectives: The risk of bleeding after tooth extraction in thrombocytopenia patients remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the risk of bleeding after tooth extraction in patients with thrombocytopenia. Materials and Methods: The study included 220 patients who had a medical history of thrombocytopenia and underwent tooth extraction (330 teeth). The patients were divided into those who had thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150k) immediately before the tooth extraction, and those who had platelet counts that were between 150k and 250k before the extraction. Bleeding complications were recorded and compared between the patient groups. Results: Of the 220 patients, 130 underwent tooth extractions while having thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150k), and 90 had platelet counts that were between 150k and 250k before tooth extractions. Bleeding complications occurred in 11 patients (5.0%) of the 220 patients. Among those 11 patients with bleeding complications, 10 patients (7.7%) had thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150k) of the 130 patients, and 1 patient (1.1%) had a normal platelet count of the 90 patients. There was a significant difference between the patient groups regarding bleeding after extractions (P<0.001). No significant difference in the incidence of post-extraction bleeding was found between the subgroups by platelet count within the thrombocytopenia group. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150k) increases the risk of post-tooth extraction bleeding. Therefore, bleeding control under the proper evaluation of hemostasis and performing delicate tooth extraction procedures using hemostatic plugs is necessary during the tooth extraction of patients with thrombocytopenia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1126-1135
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• 2000

Objectives : The goal of surgical management of cerebral arteriovenous malformation(AVM) is elimination of the lesion without development of new neurological deficits. To improve the management results of cerebral AVMs in the future, this article discusses about surgical complications of the AVM and their management. Material and Methods : During the past 18 years, 116 patients with cerebral AVMs were managed by surgery. Among these cases, 7 cases died, 7 cases developed new neurological deficits, 11 cases residual AVM and 5 cases intracerebral hematoma(ICH) after surgery. The author analyzes the causes of those complications and investigates the methods to minimized those complications based on the review of the literatures. Results : One stage removal of AVM and ICH in the poor neurological state were performed in 5 of 7 death cases. Subtotal removal of ICH followed by delayed AVM surgery after recovery is regard as one method to improve the outcome of patient with large ICH. Postoperative new neurological deficits developed owing to normal perfusion pressure breakthrough(NPPB) in 3, judgement error in 2, preoperative embolization in 1 and cortical injury in 1 case(s). Proper management of NPPB, accurate anatomical knowledge and physiological monitoring during operation, and well trained skill for embolization are regard as methods to minimize those complications. Residual AVMs after surgery were noticed in 11 cases, in which unintended 6 cases due to inaccurate dissection of peripheral margin of AVM, and intended 3 cases due to massive brain swelling during operation, 1 cases due to diffuse type and 1 case due to multiple type of AVM. Accurate dissection of peripheral margin of AVM and mild hypotension during operation may help to avoid this complication. Postoperative hemorrhage occurred in 3 cases due to rupture of the residual AVM and in 2 cases due to oozing from the AVM bed. Complete resection of AVM, complete control of bleeding points at AVM bed and mild hypotension during early postoperative period are the methods to avoid this complication. Conclusion : A precise but flexible therapeutic strategy and refined skill for endovascular, radiosurgical and microsurgical techniques are required to successful treatment of cerebral AVM. Adequate timing of AVM resection, accurate anatomical knowledge, proper management of NPPB and accurate dissection of peripheral margin of AVM are the key points for avoiding complications of the AVM surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2020

Objectives: Kinesiology tape (KT) creates a pulling force on the skin, thus improving blood and lymph flow by alleviating hemorrhage and congestion of lymphatic fluid. The authors hypothesized that the use of KT could be beneficial for the management of complications after head and neck surgery and designed this study to evaluate the effects of KT on swelling, pain, and trismus after enucleation of mandibular dentigerous cysts with third molar extraction. Materials and Methods: Forty patients who underwent enucleation of a dentigerous cyst with extraction of the mandibular third molar were selected. The patients were randomized into two groups (n=20 each): a KT group, where KT was applied after surgery in addition to basic postoperative care, and a control group, where patients received basic postoperative care without KT application. Swelling, pain, and trismus were evaluated before surgery (T0) and on postoperative days 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3). Cyst volume, gauze weight for assessing bleeding, and operation time were recorded. Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in the change in swelling up to T1 and the change in swelling between T1 and T2. The maximum swelling in the KT group was significantly less than that in the No-KT group and maximum swelling appeared faster in the KT group than in the No-KT group. Both groups showed a mild pain response but there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference on interincisal distance change between the two groups. There were no correlations between cyst volume, bleeding, operation time, and maximum swelling. Conclusion: KT can effectively manage facial swelling after oral and maxillofacial surgeries such as cyst enucleation and third molar extraction, thus improving postoperative patient satisfaction levels and quality of life.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.230-235
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• 2012

Background: Although patients with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) often reach the hospital alive, the perioperative mortality is still very high. We retrospectively reviewed thirty patients who underwent repair of RAAA to identify the factors affecting postoperative mortality in a single hospital. Materials and Methods: Between September 2007 and May 2011, thirty patients with RAAA underwent emergent surgery (n=27) or endovascular aneurysm repair (n=3). Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed regarding three categories: 1) preoperative patient status: age, gender, vital signs, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, hematocrit, and hemoglobin level: 2) aneurysmal status: size, type, and rupture status; and 3) operative factors: interval time to operating room, operative duration, and amount of perioperative transfusion. Results: The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 13.3% (4/30); later mortality was 3.3% (1/30). On multivariate analysis, the initial diastolic blood pressure (BP), interval time to operating room and amount of preoperative packed cell transfusion were statistically significantly linked with postoperative mortality (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, preoperative diastolic BP, preoperative packed cell transfusion amount and interval time between arrival and entry to operating room were significantly associated with postoperative mortality. It is important to prevent hemorrhage as quickly as possible.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.35-44
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• 1991

Recently many authors have reported about the relationship of the volumes of hemorrhage in the brain parenchyme, hemorrhagic sites, optimal operation time, and the effects of mannitol and steroid on control of ICP to clinical manifestations. Many attempts to measue ICP in hydrocephalus, brain tumor, and head injury have been reported. But the measurements of intracranial pressure in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage are rare. Intracranial pressure was monitored prospectively in 30 patients who had stereotaxic surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The results are as follows. 1. Intracranial pressure was increased in high $PaCO_2$. 2. There were no correlation in ICP, rebleeding and ADL at discharge(P > 0.05). 3. ICP was the most high level in 72 hours after operation. 4. There was 63.2% decrease in ICP after litigation with 6000 IU urokinase in the site of hemorrhage. 5. There was no correlation between the numbers of natural drainage and ADL at discharge(P > 0.05). 6. The higher the initial GCS, the higher the Postoperative GCS.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.705-710
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• 2001

Objective : Postoperative seizure is a well documented complication of aneurysm surgery. The purpose of the present study was to analyze risk factors for postoperative seizure. Methods : Between January 1990 and December 1996, we performed craniotomy for ruptured cerebral aneurysms in 321 patients. Among them 206 patients who could be followed up for more than 1 year(range, 1 to 4.6 years) were enrolled to present study. All patients were treated with anticonvulsants for 3 to 18 months postoperatively. We analyze the incidence of postoperative seizure in different sex and age groups, and risk factors associated with postoperative seizures following aneurysm rupture. For statistical processing chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used. Results : In the follow-up period of 1 to 4.6 years(mean, 1.8 years) postoperative seizure appeared in 18 out of 206 patients(8.7%). Mean latency between the operation and the first seizure was 6 months(range, 3 weeks to 18 months). The age of the patients has significant influence on the risk of seizure, it occurred more often in younger patients(p =0.0014). Aneurysm location in the MCA was associated with a significantly a higher risk of seizure(p = 0.042). Eight patients(19%) out of 42 patients who suffered delayed ischemic neurologic deficit(DID) developed seizure. Delayed ischemic neurologic deficit was associated with significantly a higher risk of seizure(p =0.019). Infarct and hypertension were associated with significantly a higher risk of seizure(p <0.05). pre- or postoperative intracranial hematoma(intracerebral or epidural hematoma) was associated with significantly a higher risk of seizure(p <0.0001). H-H grade, Fisher grade, Glasgow Outcome Scale of patients and timing of operation after subarachnoid hemorrhage had no significant relation with the risk of seizure. Conclusion : Factors associated with the development of postoperative seizure were middle cerebral artery aneurysm, delayed ischemic neurologic deficit, infarct on late postoperative CT scan, hypertension, pre or postoperative intracranial hematoma(intracerebral or epidural hematoma). Identification of the risk factors may be help to focus the antiepileptic drug threapy in cases prone to develop seizures. Prospective evaluation is indicated.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.441-444
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• 2006

Objective : The goal of this study is to evaluate the clinical results in six patients who underwent surgical decompression for the acute subdural hematomas[ASDH] of posterior cranial fossa. Methods : Six patients [five males and one female] who had undergone surgery for ASDH of posterior cranial fossa between 2000 and 2005, were evaluated retrospectively with regard to clinicoradiological findings and surgical outcomes. The mean age was 45.8 years [range $9{\sim}67\;years$]. Results : Preoperative computed tomography showed ASDH on cerebellar hemisphere in four patients and on midline in two. All patients had the associated lesions such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, epidural or subdural hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, contusion or pneumocephalus in supratentorial area. Fracture of occipital bone was noted in two patients. Of the four patients who had 13 to 15 of Glasgow coma scale score at the time of admission, three were deteriorated within 24 hours after trauma. Of these three patients, delayed subdural hematoma developed 1 hour after initial normal CT finding in one patient and increased in thickness in another one. Postoperative outcome showed good recovery in three patients and moderate disability in one. Two patients were expired. Conclusion : This study supports that early diagnosis based on strict observation and prompt surgery in the patients with ASDH in posterior fossa will lead to the best results.