• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.5-10
• /
• 2000

Objective: To describe the neuroradiologic findings of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (PAPS). Materials and Methods: During a recent two-year period, abnormally elevated antiphospholipid antibodies were detected in a total of 751 patients. In any cases in which risk factors for stroke were detected - hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and the presence of SLE or other connective tissue diseases - PAPS was not diagnosed. Neuroradiologic studies were performed in 11 of 32 patients with PAPS. We retrospectively reviewed brain CT (n = 7), MR (n = 8), and cerebral angiography (n = 8) in 11 patients with special attention to the presence of brain parenchymal lesions and cerebral arterial or venous abnormalities. Results: CT or MR findings of PAPS included nonspecific multiple hyper-intensity foci in deep white matter on T2-weighted images (5/11), a large infarct in the territory of the middle cerebral artery (4/11), diffuse cortical atrophy (2/11), focal hemorrhage (2/11), and dural sinus thrombosis (1/11). Angiographic findings were normal (5/8) or reflected either occlusion of a large cerebral artery (2/8) or dural sinus thrombosis (1/8). Conclusion: Neuroradiologic findings of PAPS are nonspecific but in young or middle- aged adults who show the above mentioned CT or MR findings, and in whom risk factors for stroke are not present, the condition should be suspected.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.563-566
• /
• 2010

Retrobulbar abscess is a rare, but severe complication of paranasal sinusitis. The clinical presentations are eyelid swelling, erythema, proptosis, conjunctival chemosis, restricted ocular movement, and decreased visual acuity. Diagnostic methods available for evaluating retrobulbar abscess include sinus X-ray, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and bacterial culture. For the treatment of retrobulbar abscess, immediate surgical drainage and systemic antibiotic therapy are needed. Proper diagnosis and treatments are necessary for preventing visual loss, cavernous sinus thrombosis, subdural abscess, and other lifethreatening complications. A patient, a 30-year-old man, was admitted to our hospital because of progressive eyelid swelling, erythema, ptosis and decreased visual acuity on the right eye after endodontic treatment. The sinusitis occurred secondary to the infection from an upper molar tooth. The spread of the infection led to the orbit via ethmoidal sinus and posterior orbital wall. Immediate surgical intervention was performed and systemic antibiotics was administrated. The symptoms and signs are improved after treatments, so we present our case with a brief review of the literature.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.85-89
• /
• 2013

Lemierre syndrome is caused by an infection in the oropharyngeal region with subsequent thrombophlebitis in the internal jugular vein. The thrombus from the thrombophlebitis can invade other vital organs, such as liver, lungs, or joints, resulting in secondary infection, which further exacerbates the fatal prognosis of this syndrome. Lemierre syndrome, also called postanginal sepsis or necrobacillosis, was first reported by Dr. Lemierre in 1936. In his report, Lemierre mentioned that out of 20 patients who suffered from this syndrome, only two survived. He also stated that all of the 20 patients complained of infections in the palatine tonsils and developed sepsis and thrombophlebitis in the internal jugular vein. Once called a "forgotten disease," this syndrome showed a very high mortality rate until usage of antibiotics became prevalent. In this case report, the authors present a 71-year-old female patient who suffered from Lemierre syndrome with thrombosis extended to the right sigmoid sinus.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2001

We present two cases of deep cerebral venous thrombosis(DCVT) with the totally occluded straight sinus. A 42-year-old female received with altered mentality . She has taken antihistamine for six years to treat the paranasal sinusitis. Another 34-year-old female who used the oral contraceptive for 11 months presented with acute behavior change . Both of these patients were diagnosed by computed tomography(CT), magnetic resonance(MR) imaging, and cerebral angiography. They were fully recovered with systemic urokinase thrombolysis followed by heparin therapy. We report that the intravenous thrombolysis was potentially effective management strategy in our cases of DCVT with the totally occluded straight sinus.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.289-294
• /
• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in a single center in Korea. Methods : A total of 36 patients were diagnosed with CVT from August 2005 to May 2013. The patient data regarding age, sex, disease stage, pathogenesis, location, laboratory findings, radiological findings, and treatment modalities were retrospectively collected. The results were compared with those of previous studies in other countries. Results : The patient group comprised 21 men and 15 women with a mean age of 46.9 years (ranging from three months to 77 years). The most common cause was a prothrombotic condition (8 patients, 22.2%). Within the patient group, 13 patients (36.1%) had a hemorrhagic infarction, whereas 23 (63.9%) had a venous infarction without hemorrhage. By location, the incidence of hemorrhagic infarction was the highest in the group with a transverse and/or sigmoid sinus thrombosis (n=9); however, the proportion of hemorrhagic infarction was higher in the cortical venous thrombosis group (75%) and the deep venous thrombosis group (100%). By pathogenesis, the incidence of hemorrhagic infarction was the highest in the prothrombotic group (n=6), which was statistically significant (p=0.016). Conclusion : According to this study, CVT was more prevalent in men, and the peak age group comprised patients in the sixth decade. The most common cause was a prothrombotic condition. This finding was comparable with reports from Europe or America, in which CVT was more common in younger women. Hemorrhagic infarction was more common in the prothrombotic group (p=0.016) than in the non-prothrombotic group in this study.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.204-207
• /
• 2015

We are reporting an unusual case of dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) after tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer. A 30-year-old female arrived at the emergency room with a sudden headache and left sided weakness and sensory loss. In her past medical history, she was diagnosed with breast cancer 1 year prior, and subsequently underwent a breast conserving mastectomy with whole breast radiation and adjuvant chemotherapy with tamoxifen. At the time of admission, computed tomography showed a small acute intracerebral hemorrhage at the right parietal cortex, and magnetic resonance imaging showed that a dural AVF at the SSS with a prominent and tortuous venous enhancement along the centrum semiovale was present. Cerebral angiography showed that the dural AVF at the mid-portion of the SSS with meningeal arterial feeding vessels entering the wall of the SSS, then draining through the dilated cortical veins. Our patient had no signs of active malignancy or any abnormalities in her coagulation profile, so it can be concluded that the tamoxifen was the likely cause of the SSS thrombosis and dural AVF. The dural AVF was treated by an endovascular coil embolization for the arterialized segment of the SSS. The patient dramatically recovered favorably from left side motor and sensory deficit. The best clinical approach is to screen potential patients of tamoxifen hormonal therapy and educate them on the sign and symptoms of life threatening thromboembolic events while taking tamoxifen.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.679-691
• /
• 1985

Ninety patients underwent mitral valvular heart surgery associated with or without aortic valve surgery and subjected to a clinical study in relation to their control of postoperative atrial fibrillation. There were 26 males and 64 females ranged in age from 16 to 56 years with a mean of 35.2 years. Systemic arterial embolizations were observed in 11 patients [12.2%]. Four patients of them were in normal sinus rhythm and 7 in atrial fibrillation. Out of these, left atrial thrombi were found only in 2 at the operation. Intraoperatively confirmed left atrial thrombi were in 16 patients [17.7%] of all 90 patients: Eleven patients occurred at the age of more than 40 years, 14 were in atrial fibrillation and 2 only had previous episodes of systemic arterial embolization. Sixty three patients underwent isolated mitral valve surgery [OMC 28, MVR 35] and 27 patients associated with aortic valve surgery along with mitral valve [OMC+AVR 13, MVR+AVR 14]. Preoperatively, 44 patients [48.9%] were in normal sinus rhythm. Of them, 35 patients [79.5%] revealed normal sinus rhythm thoroughly after operation without any aid of digitalis or quinidine and 5 patients [11.4%] restored normal sinus rhythm with digitalization alone. Other 3 patients converted to normal sinus rhythm with the addition of quinidine, however, in 1 patient who was resistant to quinidine therapy, electrocardioversion was carried out on the postoperative third week showing normal sinus rhythm. Thus, the most atrial fibrillations that occurred for the first time in the postoperative period, were able to reverted to normal sinus rhythm responding well to antiarrhythmic therapy. Preoperatively, 46 patients [51.1%] were in atrial fibrillation. Of them, only 5 patients returned to sinus rhythm after operation without any aid of digitalis or quinidine and other 5 restored normal sinus rhythm with digitalization: namely 2 restored within early postoperative period and 3 after more than 3 months. Eight patients well responded to quinidine therapy showing normal Sinus rhythm. So far, 25 patients have remained in persistent atrial fibrillation on 6 to 36 months follow-up. In view of these, 17 patients [68%] were over 40 years of age, 22[80%] had long duration of symptom over 5 years and 10[40%] have had atrial thrombi before operation. Left atrial dimension were still more than 40mm in 21 patients on follow up M-mode echocardiogram. One month after operation, 87 hospital survivors were improved by at least one functional NYHA class. There were 3 operative deaths [3.3%, bleeding 1, LCOS 2] and 4 late deaths [LCOS 1, valve thrombosis 1, late bleeding 1, fulminant hepatitis 1] during follow-up period. According to our limited experience, we may conclude that better results will be expected with the addition of quinidine therapy judiciously in the cases of postoperative persistent atrial fibrillation who were aged or had longer history of symptom and left atrial thrombi.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.24 no.11
• /
• pp.1081-1089
• /
• 1991

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by beat to beat irregularity of shape, size, conduction time and polarity. The mechanism of atrial fibrillation can be explained by so called "Multiple wavelet theory". The adverse effect of atrial fibrillation is the decrease of cardiac output by absence of atrial kick[10 ~ 15%] and the possibility of thrombosis in the left atrium which is dangerous to develop the thromboembolism is increased. The present study was designed to assess the effect of overdrive pacing on the suppression of recurring of atrial fibrillation after open heart surgery and the results were summarized as follows: 1. There were no significant differences of factors between converting patients and non-converting patients to normal sinus rhythm by electric cardioversion after open heart surgery. 2. Among converting patients to normal sinus rhythm, there were no significant differences of factors between study group and control group. 3. Cardiothoracic Ratio on the preoperative chest film was significantly larger in the patients of recurring atrial fibrillation within 72hrs than in the patients of maintaining normal sinus rhythm. [61.7$\pm$ 1.4% vs 67.7$\pm$2.4%, p=0.03] 4. There was a significant difference of suppressive effects between overdrive pacing group and control group among recurred cases until 24, 48, and 72hours [Fisher`s exact test ; p=0.037, p=0.076, p=0.53, respectively] 5. There was a difference of the delay of recurring of atrial fibrillation between study group and control group among recurred cases within 72 hours.[53.4$\pm$6.9hr vs. 19.3$\pm$3.8 hr, p<0.01] We think that the overdrive pacing may suppress the natural pacemaker and the converted normal sinus rhythm is maintained longer than control group during critical immediate postoperative period.ve period.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.265-290
• /
• 2023

Rare but serious thrombotic incidents in relation to thrombocytopenia, termed vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), have been observed since the vaccine rollout, particularly among replication-defective adenoviral vector-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine recipients. Herein, we comprehensively reviewed and summarized reported studies of VITT following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination to determine its prevalence, clinical characteristics, as well as its management. A literature search up to October 1, 2021 using PubMed and SCOPUS identified a combined total of 720 articles. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guideline, after screening the titles and abstracts based on the eligibility criteria, the remaining 47 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 29 studies were included. Findings revealed that VITT cases are strongly related to viral vector-based vaccines, which are the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (95%) and the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (4%), with much rarer reports involving messenger RNA-based vaccines such as the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (0.2%) and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (0.2%). The most severe manifestation of VITT is cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with 317 cases (70.4%) and the earliest primary symptom in the majority of cases is headache. Intravenous immunoglobulin and non-heparin anticoagulant are the main therapeutic options for managing immune responses and thrombosis, respectively. As there is emerging knowledge on and refinement of the published guidelines regarding VITT, this review may assist the medical communities in early VITT recognition, understanding the clinical presentations, diagnostic criteria as well as its management, offering a window of opportunity to VITT patients. Further larger sample size trials could further elucidate the link and safety profile.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.60-63
• /
• 1999

Transcranial Doppler(TCD) is an important diagnostic tool for evaluating the patients with stroke. It has some advantages and unique role when compared with other neuroimaging modalities. Recent development of transcranial color-coded Doppler(TCD) improves the limitation and pitfalls of TCD. The current indications of TCD are as follows: 1. Screening and evaluation of the intracranial major vessels 2. early detection and follow-up of vasospasm due to SAH 3. emboli detection (high-imtensity transient signals, HITs) 4. dignosis and follow-up of subclavian steal 5. evaluation of intracranial collaterals when the extracranial ICA has severe stenosis or occlusion 6. evaluation of cerebral perfusion pressure (intracranial pressure) 7. evaluation of arteriovenous malformation 8. diagnosis and follow-up of arterial dissenction 9. diagnosis and follow-up of venous sinus thrombosis (experimental).