• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권4호
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• pp.585-591
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• 2021

Objective : Filum transection is one of the most commonly performed operative procedure in pediatric neurosurgery. However, the clinical and pathological features as well as the surgical indication are not well-established. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of patients who underwent transection of the filum during the last 10 years in a single institute. Methods : A total of 82 patients underwent transection of the filum during the period. As a general rule, we performed the transection in patients who are symptomatic or have abnormality in the urologic or neuromuscular evaluations. There were exceptions as asymptomatic patients who only fit the definition of thickened filum (width greater than 2.0 mm or conus level below L3 vertebral body) were operated by parent's wish or surgeon's preference according to radiological findings, etc. Results : Seventy-six out of 82 patients had fibrous tissue in the pathologic specimen of filum. Interestingly, patients who had glial cells were more correlated with no preoperative syrinx, and no progression of syrinx even for those who did have syrinx initially. Also, larger percentage of symptomatic patients had peripheral nerve twigs than asymptomatic patients. No difference in conus level or thickness of filum was found between patients with or without preoperative syrinx. Significantly more patients with syrinx (56%) were chosen to be operated without any symptom or abnormality in study i.e., solely based on radiological findings than those without syrinx (21%). The surgical outcome for syrinx was favorable, as all but one patient had either improved or static syrinx. The exceptional case had increase in size due to the upward displacement of the proximal end of the cut filum. Conclusion : This study evaluated the pathological, clinical, radiological features of patients who underwent transection of the filum. Interesting correlations between pathological findings and clinical features were found. Excellent outcome regarding preoperative syrinx was also shown.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제65권3호
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• pp.430-438
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• 2022

Objective : Dermoid cysts are uncommon in spinal cord tumors, and the phenomenon of their spontaneous rupture into the syrinx cavity is quite rare. We aimed to analyze the imaging characteristics and etiologies, and propose some surgical strategies, for this uncommon phenomenon. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 14 cases with spinal dermoid cysts that ruptured into the cervical and thoracic syrinx cavity. There were six male and eight female cases, aged 21 to 46 years, who had lipid droplets in the syrinx cavity from C1 to L3. The dermoid cysts were always located at the conus. Based on patients' complaints, clinical manifestations, and imaging results, we adopted tumor excision and/or syrinx cavity aspiration in one stage or multiple stages. Results : Three patients had only a syrinx cavity aspiration surgery due to a history of dermoid cyst excision. Eight patients had dermoid cyst resection and syrinx cavity aspiration in one stage. One patient was operated upon in two stages due to the development of new symptoms at nine months follow-up. Two patients underwent only tumor resection since they did not show similar symptoms or signs caused by the cervicothoracic syrinx. The axial magnetic resonance imaging indicated that the lipid droplets were always not at the center but were eccentric. The clinical effect was satisfactory during the follow-up period in this group. Conclusion : The lipid droplets filled the spinal syrinx cavity, not entirely confined to the central canal. Based on the chief complaints and associated signs, we adopted different surgical strategies and had satisfactory clinical results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.169-174
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• 2006

Objective : This study was conducted to examine the correlation between clinical outcomes and the size of the syrinx in post-operative magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] and symptom duration. Methods : The authors investigated twelve patients who underwent various operations for syringomyelia from January 1995 to December 2003. The authors retrospectively analyzed medical records. pre- and post-operative MRI findings, features and durations of symptoms, and the method of surgical treatments. The clinical outcomes were assessed on Prolo scale at 6 months of post-operative period. Results : Neurologic symptoms did not promptly disappear after the shrinkage of syrinx, but post-operative MRI demonstrated most patients showed reductions in the size of the syrinx. There is no statistical relationship between clinical improvements and decrements of the syrinx size. However, patients who underwent surgical treatment within 2 years from the symptom onset had more favorable outcome than those who had operations after 2 years from the onset of symptoms. Conclusion : Change in the size of the syrinx in post-operative MRI is not directly proportional to favorable clinical outcomes. However, symptom duration before surgical treatment has considerable impact on the clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.274-279
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• 2000

A 35-year-old female patient who had been paraplegic since her upper thoracic cord injury one and a half years before was presented with a syringomyelia involving C7 to T2 cord segments on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Her pain on the chest and bilateral axilla worsened since about 2 years after initial injury, and MRI demonstrated a progressively enlarging cystic syrinx cavity of the cervicothoracic cord. The posttraumatic syringomyelia was managed operatively by lysis of the arachnoid adhesions, myelotomy, and expansile duraplasty. Post-operatively her pain was relieved, and MRI showed decrease in size of the syrinx, and digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) showed diminution of the hyperthermic area on the anterior chest. In conclusion, the posttraumatic syringomyelia can be managed successfully without shunt operation. It seems apparent that expansile duraplasty is effective in controlling the posttraumatic syrinx.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.58-61
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• 2012

Various surgical procedures for the treatment of post-traumatic syringomyelia have been introduced recently, but most surgical strategies have been unreliable. We introduce the concept and technique of a new shunting procedure, syringo-subarachnoid-peritoneal shunt. A 54-year-old patient presented to our hospital with a progressive impairment of motion and position sense on the right side. Sixteen years before this admission, he had been treated by decompressive laminectomy for a burst fracture of L1. On his recent admission, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of the whole spine revealed the presence of a huge syrinx extending from the medulla to the L1 vertebral level. We performed a syringo-subarachnoid-peritoneal shunt, including insertion of a T-tube into the syrinx, subarachnoid space and peritoneal cavity. Clinical manifestations and radiological findings improved after the operation. The syringo-subarachnoid-peritoneal shunt has several advantages. First, fluid can communicate freely between the syrinx, the subarachnoid space, and the peritoneal cavity. Secondly, we can prevent shunt catheter from migrating because dural anchoring of the T-tube is easy. Finally, we can perform shunt revision easily, because only one arm of the T-tube is inserted into the intraspinal syringx cavity. We think that this procedure is the most beneficial method among the various shunting procedures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.228-231
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• 2010

Posttraumatic syringomyelia may result from a variety of inherent conditions and traumatic events, or from some combination of these. Many hypotheses have arisen to explain this complex disorder, but no consensus has emerged. A 28-year-old man presented with progressive lower extremity weakness, spasticity, and decreased sensation below the T4 dermatome five years after an initial trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large, multi-septate syrinx cavity extending from C5 to L1, with a retropulsed bony fragment of L2. We performed an L2 corpectomy, L1-L3 interbody fusion using a mesh cage and screw fixation, and a wide decompression and release of the ventral portion of the spinal cord with an operating microscope. The patient showed complete resolution of his neurological symptoms, including the bilateral leg weakness and dysesthesia. Postoperative MRI confirmed the collapse of the syrinx and restoration of subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow. These findings indicate a good correlation between syrinx collapse and symptomatic improvement. This case showed that syringomyelia may develop through obstruction of the subarachnoid CSF space by a bony fracture and kyphotic deformity. Ventral decompression of the obstructed subarachnoid space, with restoration of spinal alignment, effectively treated the spinal canal encroachment and post-traumatic syringomyelia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.836-840
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• 2000

Intramedullary spinal hemagioblastomas usually develope in cervical or thoracic region of spinal cord, but rarely in conus medullaris. We report a case of hemangioblastoma developed in conus medullaris. The 19-year-old male patient presented with slowly progressing low back pain and paresthesia of both legs. MRI and spinal angiography revealed a well-vascularized mass lesion in the conus medullaris with syrinx formation. Total excision of hemangioblastoma was achieved via posterior approach. Postoperatively, patient's walking difficulty was worsened transiently, but it was improved at discharge.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.633-637
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• 2001

The authors report a case of syringo-pleural shunt for recurrent distal obstruction of syringosubarachnoid shunt in a 23-year-old woman. She complained of tingling sensation and dysesthesia on the left upper extremity. Neuroradiologic imaging studies revealed syringomyelia in the left lateral side of the cord from medulla to 7th thoracic cord level. We identified intraoperatively high internal pressure of the syrinx cavity due to distal shunt tube obstruction. Syringo-pleural shunt was performed and cavity size was markedly decreased at later follow up MRI. In conclusion, the posttraumatic syrinx, especially in cases with previous syringosubarachnoid shunt or diffuse subarachnoid scarring, can be successfully managed with syringo-pleural shunt.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권10호
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• pp.1389-1395
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• 2000

A case report of a post-traumatic syringomyelia in a 29-year old male, developed 15 years after an L1 burst fracture, is presented. On preoperative MRI, the syrinx extended cephalad above the fracture site through the whole thoracic and cervical cord. Serial myelo-CT was performed to evaluate the dynamics of CSF. It was managed by lysis of the arachnoid adhesions, syringosubarachnoid shunt, and expansile duraplasty. After surgery, the patient's symptoms improved, and marked decrease of the syrinx was seen on postoperative MRI. The pathophysiology, the role of preoperative diagnostic methods especially serial myelo-CT, and the contmporary management modalities for posttraumatic syringomyelia is reviewed along with the pertinent literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.38-39
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• 2006

Perioperative lumbar drainage of cerebrospinal fluid is commonly used in neurosurgical practice. However, the relationship between lumbar drainage and acquired Chiari malformation is not well established. The authors present an unusual case of paraplegia as a result of acquired Chiari malformation after lumbar drainage. Acquired Chiari malformation can induce compression of cervicomedullary junction and syrinx formation. Foramen magnum decompression is recommended for the solution of such problems.