• 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.30 no.6
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• pp.717-723
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• 2001

Objective : Subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) is still one of the most serious disease with high morbidity and mortality in the neurosurgical field. Clipping of the aneurysmal neck is the gold standard of the surgical treatment of aneurysmal SAH. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the postoperative angiography and to assess the risk factors related to the incomplete clipping. Materials and Methods : From July 1995 to June 1998, the pre- and postoperative angiography were performed in 50 patients among total 81 patients who have underwent the aneurysmal surgery. We reviewed the various contributing factors including age, sex, Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade and the premature rupture of aneurysm during operation retrospectively. Careful evaluation of pre- and postoperative angiography focusing on the size, shape, and remnant neck of the aneurysms and vasospasm was performed. According to the angiographic findings, the patients were divided into two groups ; a complete clipping group and an incomplete clipping group. The data were analyzed by using unpaired independent sample t test after F-test to compare the significance between two groups. Results : Incomplete clipping of aneurysms was found in 6(12%) patients through the evaluation of postoperative angiography. Among them, three cases were located on the middle cerebral artery territory. Whereas the patient age, sex, Hunt-Hess grade, and Fisher grade were not significant(p>0.05), an intraoperative premature rupture had a statistical significance(p<0.05). A severe vasospasm occurred in 24(48%) cases and one patient with anterior communicating aneurysm was reoperated due to residual sac. Conclusion : According to our experience, the surgeons' judgement is the most reliable factor in deciding the postoperative angiography. During the aneurysmal surgery, the premature rupture always disturbs a complete clipping of aneurysms. Therefore, the temporary clipping of parent arteries is considered essential for a successful clipping. We believe that the postoperative angiography has a role in decreasing the re-bleeding risk due to clip migration and an inaccurate clipping only in the selected cases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.6
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• pp.695-703
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• 1998

$[K^+]_o$ can be increased under a variety of conditions including subarachnoid hemorrhage. The increase of $[K^+]_o$ in the range of $5{\sim}15$ mM may affect tensions of blood vessels and can change their sensitivity to various vasoactive substances. Therefore, it was examined in the present study whether the sensitivity of cerebral arteries to vasoactive substances can be changed with the moderate increase of $[K^+]_o$, using Mulvany-type myograph and $[Ca^{2+}]_c$ measurement. The contractions of basilar artery and branch of middle cerebral artery induced by histamine were not increased with the elevation of $[K^+]_o$ from 6 mM to 9 mM or 12 mM. On the contrary, the contractions induced by serotonin were significantly increased with the elevation of $[K^+]_o$. The contractions were also significantly increased by the treatment with nitro-L-arginine $(10^{-4}$ M for 20 minutes). In the nitro-L-arginine treated arteries, the contractions induced by serotonin were significantly increased with the elevation of $[K^+]_o$ from 6 mM to 12 mM. $K^+-induced$ relaxation was evoked with the stepwise increment of extracellular $K^+$ from 0 or 2 mM to 12 mM by 2 mM in basilar arterial rings, which were contracted by histamine. But $[K^+]_o$ elevation from 4 or 6 mM to 12 mM by the stepwise increment evoked no significant relaxation. Basal tension of basilar artery was increased with $[K^+]_o$ elevation from 6 mM to 12 mM by 2 mM steps or by the treatment with ouabain and the increase of basal tension was blocked by verapamil. The cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}$ level was not increased by the single treatment with serotonin or with the elevation of $[K^+]_o$ from 4 mM to 8 or 12 mM. In contrast to the single treatment, the $Ca^{2+}$ level was increased by the combined treatment with serotonin and the elevation of $[K^+]_o$. The increase of free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration was blocked by the treatment with verapamil. These data suggest that the sensitivity of cerebral artery to serotonin is increased with the moderate increase of $[K^+]_o$ and the increased sensitivity to serotonin is due to the increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ induced by extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.355-358
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• 2011

Objective : Subdural hygroma (SDG) is a complication occurring after head trauma that may occur secondary to decompressive craniectomy (DC). However, the mechanism underlying SDG formation is not fully understood. Also, the relationship between the operative technique of DC or the decompressive effect and the occurrence and pathophysiology of SDG has not been clarified. Purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of SDG after DC in our series. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2008, DC was performed in 85 patients who suffered from traumatic brain injury. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological features. For comparative analysis, we divided the patients into 2 groups : one group with SDG after craniectomy (19 patients; 28.4% of the total sample), the other group without SDG (48 patients; 71.6%). The risk factors for developing SDG were then analyzed. Results : The mean Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores at discharge of the groups with and without SDG were 2.8 and 3.1, respectively (p<0.0001). Analysis of radiological factors showed that a midline shift in excess of 5 mm on CT scans was present in 19 patients (100%) in the group with SDG and in 32 patients (66.7%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). An accompanying subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was seen in 17 patients (89.5%) in the group with SDG and in 29 patients (60.4%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). Delayed hydrocephalus accompanied these findings in 10 patients (52.6%) in the group with SDG, versus 5 patients (10.4%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). On CT, compression of basal cisterns was observed in 14 members (73.7%) in the group with SDG and in 18 members of the group without SDG (37.5%) (p<0.007). Furthermore, tearing of the arachnoid membrane, as observed on CT, was more common in all patients in the group with SDG (100%) than in the group without SDG (31 patients; 64.6%) (p<0.05). Conclusion : GOS showed statistically significant difference in the clinical risk factors for SDG between the group with SDG and the group without SDG. Analysis of radiological factors indicated that a midline shifting exceeding 5 mm, SAH, delayed hydrocephalus, compression of basal cisterns, and tearing of the arachnoid membrane were significantly more common in patients with SDG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.876-884
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• 1997

Fourteen patients underwent orthotopic heart transplantation between March 1994 and May 1996 in Seoul National University Hospital. There were 9 male and 5 female patients, and the mean age was 40.8 $\pm$ 12.4 years ranged from 12 to 56 years. All patient were in NYHA Fc III or IV preoperatively. The underlying heart diseases were dilated cardiomyopathy in 11 and restrictive cardiomyopathy in 3. The mean age of donors was 24.9$\pm$ 10.2 years and the causes of the brain death were head trauma by traffic accidents in 8, subarachnoid hemorrhage in 2, 1 asphyxia, 1 fall down injury, 1 brain tumo , and 1 drowning, respectively The blood type was identical in 11, compatible in 2, and incompatible in 1 patient. The direct bicaval anastomosis technique was used in 11 cases, and standard right atrial anastomosis was done in the remaining 3 cases. The graft ischemic time was 158$\pm$44 minutes ranged 94 to 220 minutes. There were two hospital deaths(14.3%). The causes of deaths were 1 right ventricular failure followed by suspected cyclosporine induced hemolytic uremic syndrome and rejection, and 1 delayed massive bleeding, probably from rupture of the anastomotic pseudoaneurysm, respectively. The follow-up duration was 16$\pm$9 months(3 to 28 months). There was one late death(8.3%). All the other patients were in NYHA Fc I except one patient who was in hospital because of the acute rejection. The actuarial survival rates including hospital deaths were 93.7% at 1 month, 86.9% at 6 months, and 77$\pm$12% at 2 years. Conclusively, heart transplantation is the good strategy for the management of end stage heart disease with acceptable operative mortality and early follow-up results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 2009

Objective : We aimed to analyze clinical and radiological outcomes retrospectively in patients with basilar apex aneurysms treated by coiling or clipping. Methods : Outcomes of basilar bifurcation aneurysms were assessed retrospectively in 77 consecutive patients (61 women, 16 men), ranging in age from 25 to 79 years (mean, 53.7 years) from 1999 to 2007. Results : Forty-nine patients out of 77 patients (63.6%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhages of the 49 patients treated with coiling, 27 (55.1 %) showed complete occlusion of the aneurysm sac. Of these, 13 patients (26.5%) developed coil compaction on angiographic or MRI follow-up, with recoiling required in 9 patients (18.4%). Procedural complications of coiling were acute infarction in nine patients and the bleeding of the aneurysms in six patients. The remaining 28 patients underwent microsurgery : twenty-six of these (92.9%) with microsurgery followed up with conventional angiography. Complete occlusion of the aneurysm sac was achieved in 19 patients (73.1%). Operation-related complications of microsurgery were thalamoperforating artery injuries in three patients, retraction venous injury in two, postoperative epidural hemorrhage (EDH) in one, and transient partial or complete occulomotor palsy in 14 patients. Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS) were 4 or 5 in 21 of 28 (75%) patients treated with microsurgery at discharge, and at 6 month follow-up, 20 of 28 (70.9%) maintained the same GOS. In comparison, GOS of four or 5 was observed in 36 of 49 (73.5%) patients treated with coiling at discharge and at 6 month follow-up, 33 of 49 patients (67.3%) maintained the GOS from discharge. Conclusion : Basilar top aneurysms were still challenging lesions based on our series. Endovascular or microsurgery endowed with its inborn risks and procedural complications for the treatment of basilar apex aneurysms individually. Microsurgery provided better outcome in some specific basilar apex aneurysms. For reaching the most favorable outcome, endovascular modality as well as microsurgery was inevitably considered for each specific basilar apex aneurysm.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.415-425
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• 1999

$[K^+]_o$ can be increased under a variety of conditions including subarachnoid hemorrhage. The increase of $[K^+]_o$ in the range of $5{\sim}15$ mM may affect tensions of blood vessels and cause relaxation of agonist-induced precontracted vascular smooth muscle $(K^+-induced$ relaxation). In this study, effect of the increase in extracellular $K^+$ concentration on the agonist-induced contractions of various arteries including resistant arteries of rabbit was examined, using home-made Mulvany-type myograph. Extracellular $K^+$ was increased in three different ways; from initial 1 to 3 mM, from initial 3 to 6 mM, or from initial 6 to 12 mM. In superior mesenteric arteries, the relaxation induced by extracellular $K^+$ elevation from initial 6 to 12 mM was the most prominent among the relaxations induced by the elevations in three different ways. In cerebral arteries, the most prominent relaxation was produced by the elevation of extracellular $K^+$ from initial 1 to 3 mM and a slight relaxation was provoked by the elevation from initial 6 to 12 mM. In superior mesenteric arteries, $K^+-induced$ relaxation by the elevation from initial 6 to 12 mM was blocked by $Ba^{2+}\;(30\;{\mu}M)$ and the relaxation by the elevation from 1 to 3 mM or from 3 to 6 mM was not blocked by $Ba^{2+}.$ In cerebral arteries, however, $K^+-induced$ relaxation by the elevation from initial 3 to 6 mM was blocked by $Ba^{2+},$ whereas the relaxation by the elevation from 1 to 3 mM was not blocked by $Ba^{2+}.$ Ouabain inhibited all of the relaxations induced by the extracellular $K^+$ elevations in three different ways. In cerebral arteries, when extracellular $K^+$ was increased to 14 mM with 2 or 3 mM increments, almost complete relaxation was induced at 1 or 3 mM of initial $K^+$ concentration and slight relaxation occurred at 6 mM. TEA did not inhibit $Ba^{2+}-sensitive$ relaxation at all and NMMA or endothelial removal did not inhibit $K^+-induced$ relaxation. Most conduit arteries such as aorta, carotid artery, and renal artery were not relaxed by the elevation of extracellular $K^+.$ Among conduit arteries, trunk of superior mesenteric artery and basilar artery were relaxed by the elevations of $[K^+]_o.$ These data suggest that $K^+-induced$ relaxation has two independent components, $Ba^{2+}-sensitive$ and $Ba^{2+}-insensitive$ one and there are different mechanisms for $K^+-induced$ relaxation in various arteries.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.328-333
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this study is to determine the association between the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and inflammation, and the predictive value of these CSF biomarkers for subsequent shunt associated infection. Methods : We obtained CSF samples from the patients with hydrocephalus during ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt operations. Twenty-two patients were enrolled for this study and divided into 3 groups: subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-induced hydrocephalus, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) and hydrocephalus with a subsequent shunt infection. We analyzed the transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and total tau in the CSF by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The subsequent development of shunt infection was confirmed by the clinical presentations, the CSF parameters and CSF culture from the shunt devices. Results : The mean VEGF concentration (${\pm}$standard deviation) in the CSF of the SAH-induced hydrocephalus, INPH and shunt infection groups was $236{\pm}138$, $237{\pm}80$ and $627{\pm}391$ pg/mL, respectively. There was a significant difference among the three groups (p=0.01). Between the SAH-induced hydrocephalus and infection groups and between the INPH and infection groups, there was a significant difference of the VEGF levels (p<0.01). However, the other marker levels did not differ among them. Conclusion : The present study showed that only the CSF VEGF levels are associated with the subsequent development of shunt infection. Our results suggest that increased CSF VEGF could provide a good condition for bacteria that are introduced at the time of surgery to grow in the brain, rather than reflecting a sequel of bacterial infection before VP shunt.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.263-273
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• 1999

Headache is a symptom with varied etiologies and extraordinarily frequent. Headaches can be a symptom of another diseases, such as meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage or brain tumor, may represent the disease entity itself as the case in migraine. The international Headache Society criteria were the first to distinguish between primary and secondary headache disorders. When evaluating a patient who presents with headache, the physician abviously needs to identify or exclude the myriad conditions that can cause secondary headache and initial diagnostic workup should be considered. If patient meets the criteria for a primary headache disorder, treatment commonly initiated without additional neurodiagnostic tests. The headache type, its associated feature, and the duration and the intensity of the pain attack all can influence the choice of acute therapy in migraine. Pharmacologically, such as NSAIDs, combination analgesics, vasoactive antimigraineous drugs, neuroleptics, antidepressants, or corticosteroids. Other approches to managing headache include a headache diary to identify triggers, biofeedback, relaxation technique and behavioral modification. Daily preventive medication should be considered by his attack frequency and intensity, and maintained for 4 to 6 months. Tension-type headaches are distinguished between episodic and chronic tension-type headache, but physician must make sure that patient is not drug-overuse or independent during symptomatic abortive therapy or preventive medication. The most difficult headache patients to treat are those with chronic daily headache. They often have physical dependency, low frustration tolerance, sleep problems, and depression. So discontinuation of overused medication is crucial. New developments in migraine therapy are broadening the scope of abortive and prophylactic treatment choices available to the physician. The enhanced ease of the use of sumatriptan and DHE will likely increase patient compliance and satisfaction.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1188-1194
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• 2000

Objective : Internal carotid-posterior communicating artery(IC-PC) aneurysms can be clipped easily without any special preparations. Occasionally, however, it is difficult to clip the low-lying IC-PC aneurysms without some kinds of additional procedures. Clinical Material and Methods : We experienced four cases of low-lying IC-PC aneurysms, which the intradural anterior clinoidectomy and/or anterior petroclinoid fold(APF) resection was essential to expose the proximal side of the aneurysmal neck and/or proximal control. One patient harbored two low-lying IC-PC aneurysms bilaterally. The patients were divided into two groups according to the necessity of anterior clinoidectomy : Group I(n=4) that needed an intradural clinoidectomy and/or APF resection and Group II(n=29) that had IC-PC aneurysms, easily clipped without any special preparation. Also, various radiometric parameters were measured through the preoperative angiograms. Results : The incidence of such aneurysms was 12% among a total of thirty-three surgically treated IC-PC aneurysms during lasr 3 years. Among four cases, three cases presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and all aneurysmal sac projected to postero-inferior direction. In our study, We initially considered the necessity of intraoperative anterior clinoid process(ACP) removal and/or resection of APF in cases of shorter distance less than 5.6mm between the proximal aneurysmal sac and tip of the ACP(p<0.001), and the proximal portion of aneurysmal neck has located below the interclinoid line(p=0.001). Conclusion : Through a careful preoperative evaluation, some radiometric parameters can be used to determine whether the ACP should be removed in clipping of the low-lying IC-PC aneurysms. Unlike to total removal of the ACP, the intradural partial anterior clinolidectomy and/or APF resection, which are more familiar to surgeons, reduce the risks of the premature rupture, operative time, and also contribute a more precise clip placement with proximal control than the extradural clinoidectomy.