• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.172-178
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this study was to determine the role of intra-arterial (IA) nimodipine injections for cerebral vasospasm secondary to ruptured subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and to investigate the factors that influence vasodilation and clinical outcomes. Methods : We enrolled 29 patients who underwent aneurysm clipping for ruptured cerebral aneurysms between 2009 and 2011, and who received IA nimodipine after subsequently presenting with symptomatic vasospasm. The degree of vasodilation shown in angiography was measured, and the correlation between the degree of vasodilation and both the interval from SAH to cerebral vasospasm and the interval from clipping to cerebral vasospasm was determined. The change in blood flow rate after IA injection was assessed by transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Multiple clinical parameters were completed before and after IA nimodipine injection to evaluate any improvements in clinical symptoms. Results : For eight patients, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores increased by two or more points. The regression analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the change in GCS scores after IA nimodipine injection and the change in blood vessel diameter (p=0.025). A positive correlation was also observed between the interval from SAH to vasospasm and the change in diameter (p=0.040); and the interval from clipping to vasospasm and the change in diameter (p=0.022). Conclusion : IA nimodipine injection for SAH-induced vasospasm led to significant vasodilation in angiography and improvement in clinical symptoms without significant complications. Our findings suggest that IA nimodipine injection should be utilized when intractable vasospasm develops despite rigorous conservative management.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate demographic and clinical factors affecting the common femoral artery diameter and length, and anatomical relationship between the femoral head and the common femoral artery during angiography. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 109 femoral angiograms. We collected the clinical data of the patients and estimated the common femoral artery diameter and length. We divided the areas in the angiogram from cephalic to caudal direction (zone 0 to 5). The lowest levels of the inferior epigastric artery loop and points of the common femoral artery bifurcation were checked. Results : The luminal diameter of the common femoral artery was $6.19{\pm}1.20mm$. Height, weight, body surface area, as well as common femoral artery diameter were significantly greater in men than in women (p<0.005). The length of the common femoral artery was $27.59{\pm}8.87mm$. Height, weight and body surface area showed strong positive relationships with common femoral artery diameter. All of the inferior epigastric artery loops were located above the center of the femoral head. The point of common femoral artery bifurcation was above the center of the femoral head in 4.59% of femoral angiograms. Conclusions : Males and patients with a high body surface area have a larger common femoral artery diameter. The cumulative probability of optimal targeting between the lowest margin of the inferior epigastric artery loop and the common femoral artery bifurcation is the highest in zone 3 puncture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2013

Objective : Sudden major cerebral artery occlusion often resists recanalization with currently available techniques or can results in massive symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) after thrombolytic therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanical recanalization with a retrievable self-expanding stent and balloon in acute intracranial artery occlusions. Methods : Twenty-eight consecutive patients with acute intracranial artery occlusions were treated with a Solitaire retrievable stent. Balloon angioplasty was added if successful recanalization was not achieved after stent retrieval. The angiographic outcome was assessed by Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) and the clinical outcomes were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results : At baseline, mean age was 69.4 years and mean initial NIHSS score was 12.5. A recanalization to TICI 2 or 3 was achieved in 24 patients (85%) after stent retrieval. Successful recanalization was achieved after additional balloon angioplasty in 4 patients. At 90-day follow-up, 24 patients (85%) had a NIHSS improvement of ${\geq}4$ and 17 patients (60%) had a good outcome (mRS ${\leq}2$). Although there was sICH, there was one death associated with the procedure. Conclusion : Mechanical thromboembolectomy with a retrievable stent followed by additional balloon angioplasty is a safe and effective first-line therapy for acute intracranial artery occlusions especially in case of unsuccessful recanalization after stent thrombectomy.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.951-956
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• 2011

Coronary angiography technology is usually used for examining or treating coronary artery stenosis. Especially, when a cardiologist inserts catheter into the heart blood vessel, the catheter path detection system is needed because the cardiologist has difficulty in not damaging vessel. Recently, to reduce this difficulty, many searchers have been working for the various image processing technologies, such as vessel edge detection, optimal threshold method, etc. However the results of these searches are showing different performances depend on the contrast and quality of images. Therefore, this study for the coronary angiography suggests a novel algorithm to avoid these problems. The suggested algorithm consists of multi-sampling, interpolation, threshold method, and fault points elimination. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, we used several angiographic images in experimentation, and we found that the proposed method is effective for detecting the catheter insertion path.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.93-96
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• 2005

Neurofibromatosis type I is an autosomal dominant disorder with varied manifestations in bone, soft tissue, the nervous system and skin. This is characterized by cafe-au-lait spots, neurofibromas, Lisch nodules, optic glioma, bony displasia, and intertriginous freckling. One of the more serious aspect of the disease relates to the arterial involvement. Vascular changes in neurofibromatosis may occur in any arterial tree from the proximal aorta to the small arteries but these changes are most common in the renal arteries, aorta, celiac arteries and mesenteric arteries. Of the many complications observed in neurofibromatosis type I, cerebrovascular lesions may be the least appreciated. About 40 cases of neurofibromatosis type I associated with occlusive cerebrovascular disorders have been reported in the literature, but MRI and angiographic findings typical of moyamoya disease are rarely described. We experienced a case of moyamoya disease associated with neurofibromatosis type I in a 3-year-old girl who of complained gait disturbance and paraparesis and showed findings typical of moyamoya disease on MRI and carotid angiogram.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.719-724
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• 2011

Purpose: Previous studies of the facial artery have shown significant anatomical variability in this region. The vascular anatomy of the region is considered unreliable in predicting the ideal pedicle. Preoperative imaging has been suggested as a means of improving preoperative awareness, with Doppler ultrasound as useful tools. Multi-detector row angiographic computed tomography (angio CT) is a significant improvement, providing noninvasive operator-independent details of the vascular anatomy. This tool was used to perform an $in$ $vivo$ anatomical study of the facial artery, demonstrating the usefulness of facial angio CT in planning the facial reconstruction. Methods: Eleven consecutive patients underwent facial angio CT of the facial vasculature with the anatomical details of the facial artery assessed. Results: Facial angio CT could demonstrate the size and course of the facial vasculature, particularly the facial artery. Conclusion: The vascular anatomy of the facial artery is highly variable, and thus there is a role for preoperative imaging. Facial angio CT can demonstrate cases where there is an aberrant or non-preferred anatomy, or select the method of a facial reconstruction.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.239-244
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• 2006

Objective : The present study evaluated overall surgical results for 3,000 patients with intracranial aneurysms, operated on in Busan Paik Hospital institution. Methods : Three thousand aneurysm cases, operated on in Busan Paik Hospital between January 1980 to June, 15th, 2005, were evaluated based on the following criteria; aneurysm form, aneurysm location, surgical results, postoperative complications, and seasonsonality of occuence. 957 cases were anterior communicating artery aneurysms, 776 were internal carotid artery[ICA] aneurysms, 755 were middle cerebral artery[MCA] aneurysms, 96 were anterior cerebral artery[ACA] aneurysms, 128 were vertebro-basilar artery[VBA] aneurysms and 288 were multiple aneurysms. The male to female ratio was 0.7 to 1 Surgical methods included 2.738 clippings, 219 coating and wrappings, 23 aneurysmoraphies, 20 proximal ligations. Results : Rebleeding occured in 5.1% of the early operation group and 16% of the late operation group respectively. Incidence of clinical vasospasm was 166% and angiographic vasospasm was 24.1%. The percentage of the multiple aneurysms was 9.5%, the percentage of the dissecting aneurysm was 6 cases [0.2%], 6 of the total [0.2%];De Novo" aneurysm, the percentage of lobectomies with clipping cases was 9 cases [03%] the percentage were incidental aneurysms; 164 [5.5%]. 88.1% had overall favorable surgical results with a 5.5 % mortality rate. Calcium-channel blocker and "Triple H" therapy did not improve mortality but did significantly improve morbidity. In the old age group, early operation reduced vasospasm, rebleeding and medical complications. The early surgery group exhibited a 86.2% favorable outcome with a 8.1% mortality rate. Intraoperative angiography reduced residual or remained aneurysms in large, giant aneurysm, especially in A.com artery aneurysm. Conclusion : The surgical results for the early surgery group according to surgical timming was better, but there were not statistically significant. ntraoperative angiography was especially useful on large aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2013

Objective : The introduction and development of the embolic protecting device (EPD) has resulted in a decreased rate of stroke after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The authors performed a retrospective study to investigate the risk factors for developing large emboli after CAS which can lead to ischemic events. Methods : A total of 35 consecutive patients who underwent CAS between January 2009 and March 2012 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups including those with small emboli (group A; grade 1, 2) and those with large emboli (group B; grade 3, 4). The size and number of emboli were assigned one of four grades (1=no clots, 2=1 or 2 small clots, 3=more than 3 small clots, 4=large clots) by microscopic observation of the EPD after CAS. We compared demographic characteristics, medical history, and angiographic findings of each group. Results : Thirty-five patients underwent CAS, and technical success was achieved in all cases. Twenty-three patients were included in group A and 12 patients in group B. Our results demonstrated that advanced age [odds ratio (OR) 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.52; p=0.044] and smoking (OR 42.06; CI 2.828-625.65, p=0.006) were independent risk factors for developing large emboli after CAS. Conclusion : In patients with carotid artery stenosis treated with CAS, advanced age and smoking increased the number and size of emboli. Although use of an EPD is controversial, it may be useful in CAS in patients with risk factors for large emboli in order to reduce the risk of ischemic events.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2007

Objective : Determining the location of paraclinoid aneurysms for microsurgery is important for selecting treatment options, especially when deciding on the release of the dural ring in direct clipping. We examined the reliability of using the optic strut as an anatomical landmark for evaluating the location of paraclinoid aneurysms. Methods : Cadaveric dissection was performed to establish the relationship of the optic strut to the dural ring. Results from these anatomic studies were compared with the three-demensional computed tomographic angiographic [3D-CTA] findings of nine patients with ten paraclinoid aneurysms between May 2004 and October 2005. These, 3D-CTA results were then compared with intraoperative findings. Results : The inferior boundary of the optic strut accurately localized the point at the proximal dural ring in cadaveric study. The optic strut and its relationship to the aneurysms was well observed on the multiplanar reformats of 3D-CTA. During microsurgery, nine of ten aneurysms were verified to arise from distal to the upper surface of the optic strut. Two aneurysms that had arisen between the inferior and superior boundary of the optic strut were observed to lie within the carotid cave. One aneurysm which had arisen at the inferior boundary of the optic strut and directed inferiorly was observed to lie within the cavernous sinus just after the release of the proximal ring. Conclusion : The optic strut, as identified with multiplanar reformats of 3D-CTA, provided a reliable anatomic landmark for the proximal rings and an important information about the location of aneurysms around the anterior clinoid process (ACP). Therefore, 3D-CTA and the optic strut could become an invaluable tool and a landmark in the assessment of the location of paraclinoid aneurysms for microsurgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2015

Objective : Covered stent has been recently reported as an effective alternative treatment for direct carotid cavernous fistulas (DCCFs). The purpose of this study is to describe our experiences with the treatment of DCCF with covered stents and to evaluate whether a covered stent has a potential to be used as the first choice in selected cases. Methods : From February 2009 through July 2013, 10 patients underwent covered stent placement for a DCCF occlusion. Clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Results : Covered stent placement was performed for five patients primarily as the first choice and in the other five as an alternative option. Access and deployment of a covered stent was successful in all patients (100%) and total occlusion of the fistula was achieved in nine (90%). Complete occlusion immediately after the procedure was obtained in five patients (50%). Endoleak persisted in five patients and the fistulae were found to be completely occluded by one month control angiography in four. The other patient underwent additional coil embolization by a transvenous approach. Balloon inflation-related arterial dissection during the procedure was noted in two cases; healing was noted at follow-up angiography. One patient suffered an asymptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion noted seven months post-treatment. Conclusion : Although endoleak is currently a common roadblock, our experience demonstrates that a covered stent has the potential to be used as the first choice in DCCF; this potential is likely to increase as experience with this device accumulates and the materials continue to improve.