• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.118-121
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• 2007

Background and Objectives: Silicone, Gore- Tex, Gelfoam, Collagen and autologous fat are used for thyroplasty in case of vocal fold paralysis or paresis. These implants have many advantages, such as biocompatibility, low price and easy handling and accessibility. But additional voice modification is impossible using these materials. So, we design new thyroplasty technique, called balloon thyroplasty using Foley catheter. Materal and Methods: The fresh human larynx was dissected in midline posteriorly. Minithyrotomy hole was created using 5mm cutting burr in the midline of thyroid cartilage. Subperichondrial dissection was done using Duckbill elevator up to vocal process. Balloon catheter(1.5cm balloon size) was inserted through the subperichondrial tunnel. The balloon was inflated to medialize the vocal cord. Results: After ballooning, the true vocal cord medialized mimicking thyroplasty. Conclusion: The authors found that Balloon thyroplasty could be a good candidate for vocal fold medialization technique. The technical refinement and in vivo safety are reserved for the ongoing study.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2016

Chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) is a well-known disease entity and is traditionally managed with surgery. However, when associated with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), the treatment strategy ought to be modified, as classical treatment could lead to unwanted consequences. A 59-year-old man presented with a case of SIH that manifested as a bilateral chronic SDH. He developed fatal extensive pneumocephalus and SDH re-accumulation as a complication of burr-hole drainage. Despite application of an epidural blood patch, the spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak continued, which required open spinal surgery. Chronic SDH management should not be overlooked, especially if the exact cause has not been determined. When chronic SDH assumed to be associated with SIH, the neurosurgeon should determine the exact cause of SIH in order to effectively correct the cause.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.726-734
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• 2023

Objective : Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) patients using antithrombotic agents (AT) at high risk for cardiovascular disease are increasing. The authors aimed to analyze the factors influencing outcome by targeting patients using AT and to establish a desirable treatment strategy. Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed on data from 462 patients who underwent burr hole trephination (BHT) surgery for CSDH at five hospitals from March 2010 to June 2021. Outcomes included incidence of postoperative acute bleeding, recurrence rate, and morbidity or mortality rate. Patients were divided into the following four groups based on their history of AT use : no AT. Only antiplatelet agents (AP), only anticoagulants (AC), both of AP and AC. In addition, a concurrent literature review was conducted alongside our cohort study. Results : Of 462 patients, 119 (119/462, 25.76%) were using AT. AP prescription did not significantly delay surgery (p=0.318), but AC prescription led to a significant increase in the time interval from admission to operation (p=0.048). After BHT, AP or AC intake significantly increased the period required for an in-dwelling drain (p=0.026 and p=0.037). The use of AC was significantly related to acute bleeding (p=0.044), while the use of AP was not (p=0.808). Use of AP or AC had no significant effect on CSDH recurrence (p=0.517 and p=1.000) or reoperation (p=0.924 and p=1.000). Morbidity was not statistically correlated with use of either AP or AC (p=0.795 and p=0.557, respectively), and there was no significant correlation with mortality for use of these medications (p=0.470 and p=1.000). Conclusion : Elderly CSDH patients may benefit from maintenance of AT therapy during BHT due to reduced thromboembolic risk. However, the use of AC necessitates individualized due to potential postoperative bleeding. Careful post-operative monitoring could mitigate prognosis and recurrence impacts.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.301-303
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• 2015

We report on a case of an 87-year-old woman who showed spontaneous resolution of a large chronic subdural hematoma which required surgical decompression. She had suffered from confused mentality and right side weakness of motor grade II for 10 days. The initial brain CT scan showed a 22 mm thick low density lesion located in the left fronto-temporo-parietal region with midline shift (12 mm) which required emergency decompression. However, because she and her family did not want surgery, she was followed up in the outpatient clinic. Five months later, follow up brain CT showed that the CSDH had disappeared and the patient became neurologically normal. The reasons for spontaneous resolution of CSDH remain unclear. We discuss the possible relation between mechanisms of physio-pathogenesis and spontaneous resolution of a large chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) in an elderly patient.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2007

Objective : The authors attempted to confirm the risk factors for recurrent chronic subdural hematoma[CSDH] after simple burr-hole drainage. Methods : A total of 302 patients with CSDH who were treated at our hospital between January 1998 and May 2005 were studied. Various parameters considered for analysis of factors associated with CSDH recurrence; demographic and clinical findings [age, sex, history of seizures, diabetes, vascular diseases], initial and perioperative CT findings [hematoma density, location of catheter tip, post operative intracranial air, intracranial hematoma extension, hematoma width, hematoma site]. Results : Twenty-four patients [7.9%] experienced recurrence, whereas 278 patients [92.1%] did not. Five major risk factors should be considered : 1) layered type by hematoma density, 2) type I, II by location of catheter tip, 3) presence of postoperative intracranial air, 4) cranial base type of intracranial hematoma extension, 5) greater hematoma width. Conclusion : In this study, we report that the incidence of postoperative CSDH recurrence can be reduced by the examination of the hematoma characteristics on initial and perioperative CT findings and by preventing subdural air accumulation during operation. In addition, the location of the catheter tip can be used as a helpful factor in reducing the recurrence.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.433-436
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• 2010

Objective : Arachnoid cysts (ACs) can be cured by making the definite and wide communication between the cyst and arachnoid space using endoscopy, but often it is impossible only through the usual working-channel (intra-channel) procedures. We discuss and propose a more valuable endoscopic technique with the presentation of our series of cases. Methods : We treated 9 patients with cortical AC in various locations with extra-channel endoscopic techniques. The patients ranged in age from 3 years to 60 years (mean age, 37.2 yrs). The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 26 months (mean follow-up duration, 17.2 months). All patients had large AC compressing the adjacent brain with clinical symptoms or signs. The authors performed extensive fenestration via single burr hole with the aid of endoscope. Being bypassed the rigid endoscope, through the space between the shaft of endoscope and guiding cannula (extra-channel method), fenestration procedures were done in the dry fields. Results : Eight (88.9%) patients had been treated successfully with endoscope. One patient required shunt procedure. Among the eight patients who were treated with endoscopic procedure, 6 patients (66.7%) showed cyst reduction, and two (22.2%) showed disappearance of cyst. Conclusion : We suggest that extra-channel method will be simple and easy to perform using more valuable instruments with wider working area, and may promise better results compared to the conventional intra-channel endoscopic procedures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 2019

Treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is relatively straightforward, however, there is still some debate regarding the best strategy for treatment. The most practical recommendations of up to date were identified by a review of literature. The author reviewed the literature on CSDH management from the past to now to identify the best methods. Till 1970s, craniotomy was the most commonly used method. Burr hole (BH) became the most preferred method from 1980s. In 1977, twist drill (TD) craniostomy was introduced. Closed system drainage after a BH or a TD became the most frequently used surgical method. Although nonsurgical treatment is often successful, trephination has more advantages, such as rapid resolution of the symptoms and short period of hospitalization. Nonsurgical treatment is possible in asymptomatic patients with a small CSDH. For the symptomatic patients with CSDH, trephination is the treatment of choice, either by BH or TD. In gray zone between surgery and medical treatment, shared decision making can be an ideal approach. For the recurrent CSDHs, repeated trephination is still effective for patients with a low risk of recurrence. If the risk of recurrence is high, additional management would be helpful. For the refractory CSDHs, it is necessary to obliterate the subdural space.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.271-275
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• 2015

Objective : Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a rare complication of unruptured aneurysm clipping surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors of postoperative CSDH after surgical clipping for unruptured anterior circulation aneurysms. Methods : This retrospective study included 518 patients from a single tertiary institute from January 2008 to December 2013. CSDH was defined as subdural hemorrhage which needed surgical treatment. The degree of brain atrophy was estimated using the bicaudate ratio (BCR) index. We used uni- and multivariate analyses to identify risk factors correlated with CSDH. Results : Sixteen (3.1%) patients experienced postoperative CSDH that required burr hole drainage surgery. In univariate analyses, male gender (p<0.001), size of aneurysm (p=0.030), higher BCR index (p=0.004), and the use of antithrombotic medication (p=0.006) were associated with postoperative CSDH. In multivariate analyses using logistic regression test, male gender [odds ratio (OR) 4.037, range 1.287-12.688], high BCR index (OR 5.376, range 1.170-25.000), and the use of antithrombotic medication (OR 4.854, range 1.658-14.085) were associated with postoperative CSDH (p<0.05). Postoperative subdural fluid collection and arachnoid plasty were not showed statistically significant difference in this study. Conclusion : The incidence of CSDH was 3.1% in unruptured anterior circulation aneurysm surgery. This study shows that male gender, degree of brain atrophy, and the use of antithrombotic medication were associated with postoperative CSDH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.348-352
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• 2014

Objective : Management guidelines for single intracranial hematomas have been established, but the optimal management of multiple hematomas has little known. We present bilateral traumatic supratentorial hematomas that each has enough volume to be evacuated and discuss how to operate effectively it in a single anesthesia. Methods : In total, 203 patients underwent evacuation and/or decompressive craniectomies for acute intracranial hematomas over 5 years. Among them, only eight cases (3.9%) underwent operations for bilateral intracranial hematomas in a single session. Injury mechanism, initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, types of intracranial lesions, surgical methods, and Glasgow outcome scale were evaluated. Results : The most common injury mechanism was a fall (four cases). The types of intracranial lesions were epidural hematoma (EDH)/intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in five, EDH/EDH in one, EDH/subdural hematoma (SDH) in one, and ICH/SDH in one. All cases except one had an EDH. The EDH was addressed first in all cases. Then, the evacuation of the ICH was performed through a small craniotomy or burr hole. All patients except one survived. Conclusion : Bilateral intracranial hematomas that should be removed in a single-session operation are rare. Epidural hematomas almost always occur in these cases and should be removed first to prevent the hematoma from growing during the surgery. Then, the other hematoma, contralateral to the EDH, can be evacuated with a small craniotomy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.738-743
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• 2000

Objectives : The less invasive stereotactic surgery of hypertensive intracerebral hematoma has been preferred. Many techniques were developed to facilitate aspiration of a dense blood clot in acute stage. Authors describe a method for evacuation of putaminal hematoma via computerized tomography(CT)-aided free-hand stereotactic infusion of urokinase and frequent negative pressure aspiration. Patients and Methods : A total of ten patients with spontaneous putaminal hematoma underwent surgery with negative pressure aspiration in the three-year period. All procedures were performed within 12 hours of insult. A silicone ventricular catheter was inserted into the center of hematoma through a burr hole at the Kocher's point under local anesthesia. In a typical case of putaminal hematoma, the trajectory of catheter was pointed the center of hematoma parallel to sagittal plane vertically and the external auditory meatus posteriorly. Immediately after the first trial of hematoma aspiration low-dose urokinase solution(2,000IU/5ml saline) was administrated through the catheter and drain was clipped for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the partially liquified hematoma was manually aspirated using a 10ml syringe with a negative pressure of less than 2 to 3ml. The procedure was carefully repeated every 1 hour until the hematoma was near totally evacuated. Results : The patients population consisted composed of 4 men and 6 women with a mean age of 61.6 years. All had major neurological deficits preoperatively. The mean hematoma volume was 44.3 ml and hematoma was drained for 20 to 48 hours. No complications such as rebleeding, meningitis, or malplaced catheter were noted. Outcome was moderately disabled in four patients and good recovery in three patients. Conclusion : Although the frequent negative pressure aspiration and low-dose urokinase infusion has the disadvantage of possbility of rebleeding and infection, it is consisdered to be an effective method because it allows a simple, safe, and complete removal of hematoma.