• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.455-462
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• 2020

Objective : Recent studies have reported that arachnoid plasty (ARP) using gelatin sponges with fibrin glue reduced the occurrence of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) following clipping surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA). This meta-analysis was conducted to collate further evidence for the efficacy of ARP in preventing postoperative CSDH. Methods : Data of patients who underwent clipping surgery were extracted from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials by two independent reviewers. A random effects model was used to investigate the efficacy of ARP by using odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A meta-regression analysis for male sex was additionally preformed. Results : Data from six studies with 1715 patients were consecutively included. Meta-analysis revealed that ARP was significantly associated with lower rates of CSDH development after surgical clipping for UIA (ARP group vs. control group : 3.2% vs. 7.2%; OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.18-0.93; I²=44.3%; p=0.110). Meta-regression analysis did not highlight any modifying effect of the male sex on postoperative CSDH development (p=0.951). Conclusion : This meta-analysis indicated that ARP reduced the incidence rates of CSDH following clipping surgery for UIA. If feasible, ARP would be implemented as an additional surgical technique to prevent postoperative CSDH development during surgical clipping of UIA.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.390-402
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• 2023

Objective: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a neurological complication following clipping surgery. However, the natural course and ideal approach for the treatment of clipping-related-CSDH (CR-CSDH) have not been clearly established. We aimed to investigate the course of CR-CSDH using chronological radiological findings. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 28 (3.8%) patients who developed CSDH among 736 patients who underwent surgical clipping using pterional approach for unruptured aneurysms at our institution between December 2010 and December 2018. Patients underwent follow-up CT scan 6-8 weeks after clipping surgery and decision to pursue surgical intervention rests upon the patient's symptom based on the Markwalder's grading scale (MGS) and numeric rating scale (NRS). Results: Of the 28 patients, 3 patients (10.7%) underwent surgery, while 25 (89.2%) showed spontaneous resolution of CR-CSDH. Eighteen patients (64.2%) had mild headache with MGS of 0-1. The mean maximum hematoma volume was 41.9±30.9 ml (5.8-135 ml), and 26 patients (92.8%) had homogeneous hematoma. The mean time to hematoma resolution was 126.7±52.9 days (46-228 days). Comparing group of CR-CSDH volume ≥43 ml or a midline shift ≥5 mm, the difference in presence of linear low-density area (p=0.002) and age (p=0.026) between the conservative and operative groups were found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: Most CR-CSDH cases spontaneously resolved within 4 months. Therefore, we suggest that close observation should be performed if patient's symptoms are mild and special radiologic findings are present, despite its relatively large volume and midline shifting.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.330-335
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• 2000

Objective : The purpose of this report is to assess the morbidity and mortality associated with clipping of intracranial unruptured aneurysms. Methods : At the authors' institution between May 1989 and December 1998, a total of 128 unruptured aneurysms in 110 patients were treated with surgical clippings. The medical records and neuroimaging studies of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The main locations of the aneurysms were : middle cerebral artery 31%, internal carotid-posterior communicating artery 28%, anterior communicating artery 16%, paraclinoid 6.5%, internal carotid-anterior choroidal artery 7%, posterior circulation 7%. Forty three percent of the aneurysms were symptomatic and 57% asymptomatic. The overall outcome of the surgery was : Glasgow outcome scale(GOS) I 86%, GOS II 6%, GOS III 4.3%, GOS IV 0% and GOS V(death) 3.5%. The operative risk is higher for large to giant aneurysms, and for aneurysms in posterior circulations. Patients with non-giant aneurysm in anterior circulation showed no mortality, but morbidity of 8.2%, and in posterior circulation : 25% of mortality and 75% of morbidity. Patients with giant anterior circulation aneurysm have 22% of mortality and 22% of morbidity. For patients with giant posterior circulation aneurysm, mortality and morbidity were 25% and 25%, respectively. The postoperative deaths were related to occlusion of the major parent artery in 3 cases(75%). The postoperative morbidity was related to occlusion of artery(9/13), intraoperative rupture(3/13), and cranial nerve injury(1/13). Conclusion : This report documents 3.5% mortality and 13% of morbidity in the clipping surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysms, and the relatively low risk of surgical clipping in non-giant and those located in anterior circulation. The natural history, especially risk of bleeding, of the unruptured intracranial aneurysms is still controversial. However, with respect to surgical results, unruptured non-giant aneurysm located in anterior circulation should be operated in patients with low risk.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and anatomic features involved in determining treatment modalities for anterior communicating artery (AcoA) aneurysms. Methods : The authors retrospectively evaluated 112 AcoA aneurysms with pretreatment clinical features including age, Hunt and Hess grade, medical or neurological comorbidity, and anatomical features including aneurysm size, neck size, dome-to-neck ratio, vessel incorporation, multiple lobulation, and morphologic scoring system. Post-treatment clinical results were classified according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale, and anatomic results in coiled patients were classified according to the modified Raymond scale. Using multivariate logistic regression, the probabilities for decision making between surgical clipping and coil embolization were calculated. Results : Sixty-seven patients (60%) were treated with surgical clipping and 45 patients (40%) with endovascular coil embolization. The clinical factor significantly associated with treatment decision was age (${\geq}$65 vs. <65 years) and anatomical factors including aneurysm size (small or large vs. medium), dome-to-neck ratio (<2 vs. ${\geq}$2), presence of vessel incorporation, multiple lobulation, and morphologic score (${\geq}$2 vs. <2). In multivariate analysis, older patients (age, 65 years) had significantly higher odds of being treated with coil embolization relative to clipping (adjusted OR=3.78; 95% CI, 1.39-10.3; p=0.0093) and higher morphological score patients (${\geq}$2) had a higher tendency toward surgical clipping than endovascular coil embolization (OR=0.23; 95% CI, 0.16-0.93; p=0.0039). Conclusion : The optimal decision for treating AcoA aneurysms cannot be determined by any single clinical or anatomic characteristics. All clinical and morphological features need to be considered, and a collaborative neurovascular team approach to AcoA aneurysms is essential.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2011

Objective: Due to longer life spans, patients newly diagnosed with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) are increasing in number. This study aimed to evaluate how management of UIAs in patients age 65 years and older affects the clinical outcomes and post-procedural morbidity rates in these patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 109 patients harboring 136 aneurysms across 12 years, between 1997 and 2009, at our institute. We obtained the following data from all patients: age, sex, location and size of the aneurysm(s), presence of symptoms, risk factors for stroke, treatment modality, and postoperative 1-year morbidity and mortality. We classified these patients into three groups: Group A (surgical clipping), Group B (coil embolization), and Group C (observation only). Results: Among the 109 patients, 56 (51.4%) underwent clipping treatment, 25 (23%) patients were treated with coiling, and 28 observation only. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 2.46% and 0%, respectively. The morbidity rate was 1.78% for Clipping and 4% for coiling. Factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and family history of stroke were correlated with unfavorable outcomes. Two in the observation group refused follow-up and died of intracranial ruptured aneurysms. The observation group had a 7% mortality rate. Conclusion: Our results show acceptable favorable outcome of treatment-related morbidity comparing with the natural history of unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Surgical clipping did not lead to inferior outcomes in our study, although coil embolization is generally more popular for treating elderly patients, In the treatment of patients more than 65 years old, age is not the limiting factor.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.524-533
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• 2021

Objective : When treating high-positioned anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms, pterional-transsylvian and interhemispheric approaches are both viable options, yet comparative studies of these two surgical approaches are rare. Accordingly, this retrospective study investigated the surgical results of both approaches. Methods : Twenty-four patients underwent a pterional approach (n=11) or interhemispheric approach (n=13), including a unilateral low anterior interhemispheric approach or bifrontal interhemispheric approach, for high-positioned ACoA aneurysms with an aneurysm dome height >15 mm and aneurysm neck height >10 mm both measured from the level of the anterior clinoid process. The clinical and radiological data were reviewed to investigate the surgical results and risk factors of incomplete clipping. Results : The pterional patient group showed a significantly higher incidence of incomplete clipping than the interhemispheric patient group (p=0.031). Four patients (36.4%) who underwent a pterional approach showed a postclipping aneurysm remnant, whereas all the patients who experienced an interhemispheric approach showed complete clipping. In one case, the aneurysm remnant was obliterated by coiling, while follow-up of the other three cases showed the remnants remained limited to the aneurysm base. A multivariate analysis revealed that a pterional approach for a large aneurysm with a diameter >8 mm presented a statistically significant risk factor for incomplete clipping. Conclusion : For high-positioned ACoA aneurysms with a dome height >15 mm and neck height >10 mm above the level of the anterior clinoid process, a large aneurysm with a diameter >8 mm can be clipped more completely via an interhemispheric approach than via a pterional approach.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.399-404
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• 2005

Objective: Aneurysms arising from the posterior inferior cerebellar artery(PICA) are uncommon. We review literature on that and surgical results on aneurysmal treatment by choice of surgical approach. Methods: On the basis of radiologic findings & charts, we review retrospectively the surgical results of 12 cases from Mar 1999 to Dec 2003. Results: The mean age of the 12 patients was 55.8(ranged from 36 to 71) and female was predominant (female:male = 8:4). Locations of PICA aneurysms revealed variously(vertebral artery - PICA junction: 8, lateral medullary segment: 2, PICA - anterior inferior cerebellar artery common trunk: 1, telovelomedullary : 1). Surgical approaches & treatments were attempted in 11 cases and embolization was done in 1 case(Far lateral transcondylar or supracondylar approach & clipping: 9, Far lateral transcondylar or supracondylar approach and trapping: 2, suboccipital approach & clipping: 1). The surgical result were 8 of 12 patients were good outcome, 1 of 12 was severely disabled and 3 of 12 were died. Conclusion: First, we choose surgical approach by the laterality of aneurysms and surgical or interventional treatment is attempted as soon as possible. The PICA aneurysm is regarded as having a relatively good surgical outcome without drilling of the posterior arch of the atlas.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.269-275
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• 2016

Objective : Although middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms are less amenable to coil embolization, an increasing number of studies support favorable endovascular treatment for them. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes of two different treatments (surgery versus coiling) and evaluate the benefits of surgical clipping for MCA aneurysms. Methods : Here we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 178 ruptured and unruptured MCA aneurysms treated in patients between September 2008 and April 2012. Parameters assessing treatment outcomes include degree of aneurysm occlusion, presence of regrowth, clinical status, and complications. Results : Among 178 MCA aneurysms, 153 were treated surgically. After a mean follow-up of 12 months, the surgery group showed a clinically significant complete occlusion rate (98%) compared with the coiling group (56%) (p<0.001). Follow-up radiologic evaluation showed a higher regrowth rate (four of 16 cases) in the coiling group than in the surgery group (one of 49 cases) (p=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in favorable clinical outcome rate between the two groups. The procedure-related permanent morbidity and mortality rates were 2% (three of 153 cases) in the surgery group and 0% (0 of 25 cases) in the coiling group. Conclusion : Compared to endovascular treatment, surgical neck clipping for both ruptured and unruptured MCA aneurysms results in a significantly higher complete obliteration rate and less regrowth. Therefore, even in this endovascular era, we still recommend surgical clipping as the primary treatment option for MCA aneurysms rather than coil embolization.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.241-244
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• 2013

The authors describe the use of a self-expandable stent in a temporary deployment for treatment of a very wide-neck A1 segment of anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysm following incomplete clipping. A 39-year-old hypertensive man presenting with seizure-like movement underwent computed tomography, which showed acute subarachnoid hemorrhage and an A1 segment of ACA aneurysm with superior and inferior projection. He underwent surgical clipping of the aneurysm, but superior and posterior portion of wide-neck aneurysm remained. We decided to treat the remnant aneurysm using an endovascular modality. After selection of the aneurysm, coil packing was performed assisted by the temporary semi-jailing technique. The Enterprise stent (Cordis Neurovascular, Miami, FL, USA) was deployed and recaptured repeatedly for angiography to ensure safety of the small caliber parent artery. Successful semi-deployment and recapture of the stent allowed subtotal coil occlusion of the aneurysm with good anatomic and clinical results. No complications were encountered. The stent could be recaptured up to the point where the proximal end of the stent marker was aligned with distal marker band of the microcatheter, approximately 70% of the stent length. The temporary semi-jailing technique is feasible for wide-neck aneurysm with small caliber parent artery.

• 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.