• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.261-264
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• 2000

We report a case of anterior spinal epidural hematoma, after removal of cervical meningioma by posterior approach, which occurred in a 61-year-old man who presented with left hemiparesis and hypalgesia. A cervical mass surgically confirmed as meningioma was removed by posterior approach. 3 hours after operation, the patient revealed quadriparesis with respiratory difficulty. We herewith report a rare case of anterior spinal epidural hematoma which caused a catastrophic aggrevation of postoperative course.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2012

The use of fluoroscopy guidance together with the loss of resistance technique during epidural injections has been advocated lately; moreover, epidural injections in the absence of fluoroscopic guidance have a high rate of inaccurate needle-tip placement during the injections. However, the approach to the lower cervical and upper thoracic epidural space may be challenging due to its obscure lateral fluoroscopic views from overlying normal tissue structures. In this case, we report an alternative oblique C-arm fluoroscopy guided view approach to supplement the standard anterior-posterior and lateral fluoroscopic views to facilitate successful needle placement and precise anatomical localization of the epidural space.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.220-228
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• 2017

Background: The transforaminal (TF) epidural steroid injection (ESI) is suggested as more effective than the interlaminar (IL) route due to higher delivery of medication at the anterior epidural space. However, serious complications such as spinal cord injury and permanent neural injury have been reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the clinical effectiveness, technical ease, and safety of the TF and parasagittal IL (PIL) ESI. Methods: A total of 72 patients were randomized to either the PIL group (n = 41) or the TF group (n = 31) under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients were evaluated for effective pain relief by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (%) before and 2 weeks after the ESI. The presence of concordant paresthesia, anterior epidural spread, total procedure time, and exposed radiation dose were also evaluated. Results: Both the PIL and TF approach produced similar clinically significant improvements in pain and level of disability. Among the 72 patients, 27 PIL (66%) and 20 TF (64%) patients showed concordant paresthesia while 14 (34%) and 11 (36%) patients in the same respective order showed disconcordant or no paresthesia. Radiation dose and total procedure time required were compared; the PIL group showed a significantly lower radiation dose ($30.2{\pm}12$ vs. $80.8{\pm}26.8$ [$Cgy/cm^2$]) and shorter procedure time ($96.2{\pm}31$ vs. $141.6{\pm}30$ seconds). Conclusions: ESI under fluoroscopic guidance with PIL or TF approach were effective in reducing the NRS and ODI. PIL ESI was a technically easier and simple method compared to TF ESI.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2006

Background: A transforaminal epidural steroid injection has been used for the treatment of radicular arm or leg pain, which has the advantage of ventral epidural spreading compared to either an interlaminar or caudal approach. However, several factors are known to affect the epidural spread pattern of contrast dye; therefore, the injected medication can not be delivered to the target site. The objective of our study was to observe any differences in the contrast flow patterns according to several factors. Methods: A total of 34 epidurographies in 29 patients, who underwent fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections, were evaluated. After confirming the location of the needle tip within the anterior superior aspect of the neural foramen in the lateral view, and at the 6 o'clock position to the pedicle in the anteroposterior view, 2 ml of contrast dye was injected. The contrast flow patterns of ventral, ventral and dorsal, and dorsal epidural filling were analyzed, according to age, gender, magnetic resonance imaging finding and history of previous back surgery. Results: Ventral contrast flow occurred in 30 out of the 34 epidurographies (88%). Both ventral and dorsal contrast flow patterns were observed 13 out of 16 (81%) patients in the older age group. Also, both ventral and dorsal contrast flow patterns were observed in 16 out of 18 (88%) patients with spinal stenosis. Conclusions: Transforaminal epidural steroid injections, performed uner fluoroscopy, provide excellent nerve root filling and ventral epidural spreading. Patients with spinal stenosis or an old age have both ventral and dorsal epidural spreading patterns.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1055-1062
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• 2000

Objectives : Burst fracture of the lower lumbar spine(L3-L5) is rare and has some different features compare to that of thoracolumbar junction. Lower lumbar spine is flexible segments located deeply, and has physiologic lordosis. All of these contribute to making surgical approach difficult. Generally, lower lumbar burst fracture is managed either anteriorly or posteriorly with various fixation and fusion methods. But there is no general guideline or consensus regarding the proper approach for such lesion. We have tried to find out the influencing factors for selecting the surgical approach through the analysis of lower lumbar burst fractures treated for last 4 years(1994.3-1998.3). Method : This study includes 15 patients(male : 10, female : 5, age range 20-59 years with mean age of 36.7 years, L3 : 8 cases, L4 : 5 cases, L5 : 2 cases). Patients were classified into anterior(AO) and posterior operated(PO) groups. We investigated clinical findings, injured column, operation methods, and changes in follow-up radiologic study (kyphotic angle) to determine the considerable factors in selecting the surgical approaches. Results : There were 5 AO and 10 PO patients. Anterior operation were performed with AIF with Kaneda or Z-plate and posterior operation were done with pedicle screw fixation with PLIF with cages or posterolateral fusion. Canal compression was 46.6% in AO and 38.8% in PO. The degree of kyphotic angle correction were 10.7 degree(AO) and 8.5 degree(PO), respectively. There was no statistical difference between anterior and posterior operation group. All patients showed good surgical outcome without complications. Conclusion : Anterior operation provided good in kyphotic angle correction and firm anterior strut graft, but it difficulty arose in accessing the lesions below L4 vertebra. While posterior approach showed less correction of kyphotic angle, it required less time and provided better results for accompanied adjacent lesion and pathology such as epidural hematoma. The level of injury, canal compression, biomechanics, multiplicity, and pathology are considered to be important factors in selection of the surgical approach.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2006

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical results of anterior and posterior stabilization by one stage posterolateral approach for the unstable fracture of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine. Methods : By posterolateral approach with curved skin incision, unilateral facet and pedicle were removed. Through this route, corpectomy was performed, and then this space was replaced with mesh cage filled up with autologous bone graft. Both side pedicle screw fixation was followed to upper and lower levels. Results : Six of seven patients of this study showed neurological improvement. The other one patient showed no neurological change. One patient had postoperative infection, another patient had postoperative kyphosis. The other patient had epidural hematoma on operation site after surgery. And all patinets on this study made to have spinal stability except one patient happened postoperative kyphosis. Conclusion : In the unstable fracture of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine, one stage anterior and posterior stabilization and fusion by posterolateral approach seems to be an effective procedure, if we have more care and supplementation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2010

Objective : Paraclinoid segment internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms have historically been a technical challenge for neurovascular surgeons. The development of microsurgical approach, advances in surgical techniques, and endovascular procedures have improved the outcome for paraclinoid aneurysms. However, many authors have reported high complication rates from microsurgical treatments. Therefore, the present study reviews the microsurgical complications of the extradural anterior clinoidectomy for treating paraclinoid aneurysms and investigates the prevention and management of observed complications. Methods : Between January 2004 and April 2008, 22 patients with 24 paraclinoid aneurysms underwent microsurgical direct clipping by a cerebrovascular team at a regional neurosurgical center. Microsurgery was performed via an ipsilateral pterional approach with extradural anterior clinoidectomy. We retrospectively reviewed patients' medical charts, office records, radiographic studies, and operative records. Results : In our series, the clinical outcomes after an ipsilateral pterional approach with extradural anterior clinoidectomy for paraclinoid aneurysms were excellent or good (Glasgows Outcome Scale : GOS 5 or 4) in 87.5% of cases. The microsurgical complications related directly to the extradural anterior clinoidectomy included transient cranial nerve palsy (6), cerebrospinal fluid leak (1), worsened change in vision (1), unplanned ICA occlusion (1), and epidural hematoma (1). Only one of the complications resulted in permanent morbidity (4.2%), and none resulted in death. Conclusion : Although surgical complications are still reported to occur more frequently for the treatment of paraclinoid aneurysms, the permanent morbidity and mortality resulting from a extradural anterior clinoidectomy in our series were lower than previously reported. Precise anatomical knowledge combined with several microsurgical tactics can help to achieve good outcomes with minimal complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2013

Background: Neuroplasty using a Racz catheter or epiduroscope and percutaneous endoscopic laser discectomy are performed as treatment for chronic refractory low back and/or lower extremity pain, but they are limited in that they cannot completely remove the causing pathology. Lately, epiduroscopic laser neural decompression (ELND) has been receiving attention as an alternative treatment, but there are insufficient reports of results. Hence we aimed to investigate and report the data in our hospital. Methods: Seventy-seven patients were selected who had received ELND via the anterior and posterior epidural approach through the pain clinic in our hospital from March 2011 to July 2012. Their medical records including age, diagnosis, epiduroscopic findings and degree of symptom relief were investigated. The degree of symptom relief following the procedure was categorized into 5 stages of very good (5), good (4), no change (3), bad (2), and very bad (1) at 2 weeks and 1 month after the procedure. Results: The subjects were 30 males and 47 females. Mean age was 54.6 for males and 59.6 for females, so the overall mean age was 58.1 years old, with the youngest being 23 and the oldest 88 years old. In epiduroscopic images of all patients, more than one situation of herniated disc, fibrous tissue and adhesion, or inflammation was observed. Sixty-seven patients (87.0%) showed symptom relief 2 weeks after the procedure and 63 patients (81.8%) showed relief after 1 month. Conclusions: ELND is considered to be an effective treatment alternative for chronic refractory low back and/or lower extremity pain, including lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, and failed back surgery syndrome which cannot be alleviated with existing non-invasive conservative treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.285-288
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• 2006

A 63-year-old female complained of left frontal headache and swelling for several months. Physical examination revealed left supraorbital soft, nontender, nonpulsatile mass without bruit. The left eye was displaced downward with respect to the normal right globe. Based on the clinical and radiological findings, the patient was diagnosed as a mucocele arising from the left frontal sinus. The patient underwent a transcranial approach through coronal incision. In this patient, large portions of the anterior and posterior frontal sinus walls were destroyed in association with epidural spread, so we performed cranialization of the frontal sinus and removed the mucosal wall with the aid of a microscope. With a brief review we present a patient with mucocele of the frontal sinus extending into the intracranial and intraorbital region, which was successfully treated by a transcranial approach.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.335-339
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• 2006

Objective : The authors present eight cases of immediate post-operative epidural hematomas[EDHs] adjacent to the craniotomy site, describe clinical details of them, and discuss their pathogenesis. Methods : Medical records of eight cases were retrospectively reviewed and their clinical data, operation records, and radiological findings analyzed. Any risk factors of the EDHs were searched. Results : In 5 of 8 cases, adjacent EDHs developed after craniotomies for the surgical removal of brain tumors. Three cases of adjacent EDHs developed after a pterional approach and neck clipping of a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and a craniotomy for a post-traumatic EDH, respectively. In all eight cases, brain computed tomography[CT] scans checked immediately or a few hours after the surgery, revealed large EDHs adjacent to the previous craniotomy site, but there was no EDH beneath the previous craniotomy flap. After emergent surgical removal of the EDHs, 7 cases demonstrated good clinical outcomes, with one case yielding a poor result. Conclusion : Rapid drainage of a large volume of cerebrospinal fluid or intra-operative severe brain collapse may separate the dura from the calvarium and cause postoperative EDH adjacent to the previous craniotomy site. A high-pressure suction drain left in the epidural space may contribute to the pathogenesis. After the craniotomy for brain tumors or intracranial aneurysms, when remarkable brain collapse occurs, an immediate postoperative brain CT is mandatory to detect and adequately manage such unexpected events as adjacent EDHs.