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Background/Aims@#We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) vs. biologic disease- modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had an inadequate response to conventional synthetic DMARDs. @*Methods@#A quasi-experimental, multi-center, prospective, non-randomized study was conducted to compare response rates between JAKi and bDMARDs in patients with RA naïve to targeted therapy. An interim analysis was performed to estimate the proportion of patients achieving low disease activity (LDA) based on disease activity score (DAS)–28– erythroid sedimentation rate (ESR) (DAS28-ESR) at 24 weeks after treatment initiation and to evaluate the development of adverse events (AEs). @*Results@#Among 506 patients enrolled from 17 institutions between April 2020 and August 2022, 346 (196 JAKi group and 150 bDMARD group) were included in the analysis. After 24 weeks of treatment, 49.0% of JAKi users and 48.7% of bDMARD users achieved LDA (p = 0.954). DAS28-ESR remission rates were also comparable between JAKi and bDMARD users (30.1% and 31.3%, respectively; p = 0.806). The frequency of AEs reported in the JAKi group was numerically higher than that in the bDMARDs group, but the frequencies of serious and severe AEs were comparable between the groups. @*Conclusions@#Our interim findings reveal JAKi have comparable effectiveness and safety to bDMARDs at 24 weeks after treatment initiation.
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Computer-aided design–computer-aided manufacturing technology has been widely used in the manufacture of fixed prostheses including implants, but in the case of removable dentures, the analog method is still being used due to the errors such as a lack of fusion and over-fusion in selective laser meting process. With the recent development of CAD software, virtual surveying and framework design are made possible, and the designed file can be manufactured by milling or 3D printing. It replace the analog method of waxing and denture curing process and also can reduce the production time and cost. Therefore, this case is reported because good clinical results were obtained by digitally surveying on CAD software to produce a surveyed metal restoration and framework on maxillary and mandibular removable dentures.
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Purpose@#We compared the clinical utilities of an amniotic contact lens and temporary amniotic membrane transplantation in patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects. @*Methods@#Patients diagnosed with persistent corneal epithelial defects from November 2019 to July 2022 were randomly assigned to either lens placement for 2 weeks or temporary transplantation for 1 week, and the outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The best-corrected visual acuity, corneal sensation, tear film break-up time, and corneal opacity were measured before and after the interventions. The treatment success rates, recurrences, and other complications were analyzed during the follow-up period. @*Results@#We placed lenses in 32 patients (32 eyes) and 20 patients (20 eyes) underwent transplantation. In both groups, significant differences in best-corrected visual acuity, corneal sensation, tear film break-up time, and corneal opacity were apparent after intervention vs. before. None of the parameters showed any significant differences in terms of their rates of change. @*Conclusions@#In patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects, amniotic contact lens placement is an effective outpatient procedure and is not inferior to temporary amniotic membrane transplantation.
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Purpose@#An inverse relationship between cancer and neurodegenerative disease, which presents the possibility of a reduced risk of dementia in cancer patients, has been suggested previously. However, a nationwide longitudinal population-based study of specific types of cancer with due consideration of treatment effects has not been conducted. @*Materials and Methods@#This nationwide population-based cohort study used data obtained in a 12-year period (January 2007- December 2018) in the Korean National Health Insurance claims database. All female breast cancer patients (age ≥ 50 years) diagnosed between 2009 and 2010 were included after excluding those with physician visits for any cancer during a 2-year period (2007-2008). Patients with senile cataract constituted the control group. The main study outcome was the risk of developing dementia. @*Results@#From a total of 90,396 and 85,906 patients with breast cancer and cataract, respectively, patients without behavior codes were excluded. Data for 15,407 breast cancer patients and 7,020 controls were analyzed before matching. After matching for comorbidities and age, either group comprised 2,252 patients. The median follow-up time was 104.1±24.0 months after matching. After matching, breast cancer was a predictor of a lower risk of for dementia (hazard ratio, 0.091; 95% confidence interval, 0.075 to 0.111; p < 0.001). In breast cancer patients, receiving chemotherapy and endocrine therapy did not significantly affect the incidence of dementia. @*Conclusion@#Breast cancer was associated with a remarkably decreased risk of dementia. The findings strongly suggest an inverse relationship between cancer and neurodegeneration, regardless of the adverse effects of cancer treatment on cognitive function.
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Purpose@#To assess the drug retention rate of interleukin-17 inhibitors (IL-17is) over long-term observation in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in whom treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) failed and to determine baseline factors associated with discontinuation of IL-17is. @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective cohort study included 68 patients with axSpA started on IL-17is after an inadequate response or intolerance to ≥1 TNFis. Drug retention rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were assessed. Baseline (i.e., at initiation of IL-17is) factors associated with discontinuation of IL-17is were evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. @*Results@#Over 1933.9 person-months of observation in 68 patients, discontinuation of IL-17is occurred in 27 (39.7%) patients. Twenty (29.4%) patients discontinued IL-17is because of ineffectiveness, and 7 (10.3%) patients discontinued IL-17is because of adverse events. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year drug retention rates for IL-17is were 71.9%, 66.5%, and 62.0%, respectively. Current smoking was associated with a higher risk of IL-17is discontinuation [adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=2.256, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.053–4.831, p=0.036], while previous use of ≥3 TNFis (vs. 1) was significantly associated with a lower risk of IL-17is discontinuation (adjusted HR=0.223, 95% CI=0.051–0.969, p=0.045). @*Conclusion@#In patients with axSpA in whom TNFis failed, the long-term drug retention rate of IL-17is appears to be acceptable, with a 3-year drug retention rate of approximately 60%. Current smoking was associated with a higher risk of discontinuing IL-17is, whereas previous use of ≥3 TNFis was associated with a lower risk of discontinuing IL-17is.
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We aimed to develop evidence-based recommendations for treating axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) in Korea. The development committee was constructed, key clinical questions were determined, and the evidence was searched through online databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, KoreaMed, and Kmbase. Systematic literature reviews were conducted, quality of evidence was determined, and draft recommendations were formulated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations methodology. Recommendations that reached 80% consensus among a voting panel were finalized. Three principles and 21 recommendations were determined. Recommendations 1 and 2 pertain to treatment strategies, regular disease status assessment, and rheumatologist-steered multidisciplinary management. Recommendations 3 and 4 strongly recommend patient education, exercise, and smoking cessation. Recommendations 5–12 address pharmacological treatment of active disease using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, sulfasalazine, biologics, and Janus kinase inhibitors. Recommendations 13–16 address treatment in stable disease. We suggest against spa and acupuncture as therapies (Recommendation 17). Recommendations 18 and 19 pertain to total hip arthroplasty and spinal surgery. Monitoring of comorbidities and drug toxicities are recommended (Recommendations 20 and 21). Recommendations for axSpA treatment in a Korean context were developed based on comprehensive clinical questions and evidence. These are intended to guide best practice in the treatment of axSpA.
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Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a widely used hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. Some cases of supraumbilical skin rash after TACE in patients with HCC have been reported. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no reports on atypical, generalized rashes caused by doxorubicin systemic absorption after TACE. This paper presents the case of a 64-year-old male with HCC who developed generalized macules and patches one day after a successful TACE procedure. A histology examination of a skin biopsy of a dark reddish patch on the knee revealed severe interface dermatitis. He was treated with a topical steroid, and all skin rashes improved within a week with no side effects. This report presents this rare case with a literature review on skin rash after TACE.
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In this case, a CAD-CAM complete denture that can be easily remanufactured and reduced the number of visits was decided in consideration of the fact that it was difficult to visit the dental hospital and many existing dentures were lost because the patient was inpatient in a nursing hospital. In order to reflect the shape, vertical dimension, and maxillomandibular relationship of the existing provisional dentures adapted by the patient to the fabrication of the final denture, the existing provisional dentures were scanned and closed mouth impression was taken with the printed individual tray. After digital facebow transfer using UTS CAD and arranging artificial teeth in CAD software, the maxillary and mandibular complete dentures were fabricated by milling the denture base and artificial teeth at once with the monolithic disc.
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We aimed to develop evidence-based recommendations for treating axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) in Korea. The development committee was constructed, key clinical questions were determined, and the evidence was searched through online databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, KoreaMed, and KMbase. Systematic literature reviews were conducted, quality of evidence was determined, and draft recommendations were formulated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations methodology. Recommendations that reached 80% consensus among a voting panel were finalized. Three principles and 21 recommendations were determined. Recommendations 1 and 2 pertain to treatment strategies, regular disease status assessment, and rheumatologist-steered multidisciplinary management. Recommendations 3 and 4 strongly recommend patient education, exercise, and smoking cessation. Recommendations 5~12 address pharmacological treatment of active disease using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, sulfasalazine, biologics, and Janus kinase inhibitors.Recommendations 13~16 address treatment in stable disease. We suggest against spa and acupuncture as therapies (Recommendation 17). Recommendations 18 and 19 pertain to total hip arthroplasty and spinal surgery. Monitoring of comorbidities and drug toxicities are recommended (Recommendations 20 and 21). Recommendations for axSpA treatment in a Korean context were developed based on comprehensive clinical questions and evidence. These are intended to guide best practice in the treatment of axSpA.
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Background@#In this study, we aimed to compare the long-term therapeutic outcomes of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) with those of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the initial treatment of a single small (≤ 3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). @*Methods@#From January 2010 to December 2021, 259 consecutive patients who underwent DEB-TACE (67 patients) or RFA (192 patients) as a first-line treatment for a single small HCC were enrolled in this retrospective study. The therapeutic outcomes, including cumulative intrahepatic local tumor progression (LTP), progression-free survival (PFS), and longterm overall survival (OS) rates, were compared between the two groups before and after propensity score (PS) matching. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the prognostic factors and differences in OS and PFS between the two groups for all 92 patients after PS matching. @*Results@#After PS matching, the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year LTP rates were lower in the RFA group than those in the DEB-TACE group (P < 0.001), and the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year PFS rates in the RFA group were higher than those in the DEB-TACE group (P = 0.007). However, the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were not significantly different between the RFA and DEB-TACE groups (P = 0.584).Moreover, the OS was not significantly different between the RFA and DEB-TACE groups in the univariate and multivariate analyses, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.81. The PFS was significantly higher in the RFA group than that in the DEB-TACE group in the univariate analyses, with a HR of 0.44 (P = 0.009). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that albumin (P = 0.019) was an independent prognostic factor for OS. Additionally, the major complication rates were not significantly different between the DEB-TACE and RFA groups (P = 1.000). @*Conclusion@#The LTP and PFS rates of RFA were superior to those of DEB-TACE in the initial treatment of single small HCC after PS matching. However, the OS rates were not significantly different between RFA and DEB-TACE. Therefore, DEB-TACE may be considered an efficient substitute for RFA in some patients with a single small HCC who are ineligible for RFA.
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Purpose@#Oxaliplatin, a component of the capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) regimen, has a more favorable toxicity profile than cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC). However, oxaliplatin can induce sensory neuropathy and cumulative, dose-related toxicities. Thus, the capecitabine maintenance regimen may achieve the maximum treatment effect while reducing the cumulative neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin. This study aimed to compare the survival of patients with advanced GC between capecitabine maintenance and observation after 1st line XELOX chemotherapy. @*Materials and Methods@#Sixty-three patients treated with six cycles of XELOX for advanced GC in six hospitals of the Catholic University of Korea were randomized 1:1 to receive capecitabine maintenance or observation. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), analyzed using a two-sided log-rank test stratified at a 5% significance level. @*Results@#Between 2015 and 2020, 32 and 31 patients were randomized into the maintenance and observation groups, respectively. After randomization, the median number of capecitabine maintenance cycles was 6. The PFS was significantly higher in the maintenance group than the observation group (6.3 vs. 4.1 months, P=0.010). Overall survival was not significantly different between the 2 groups (18.2 vs. 16.5 months, P=0.624). Toxicities, such as hand-foot syndrome, were reported in some maintenance group patients. Maintenance treatment was a significant factor associated with PFS in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 0.472; 95% confidence interval, 0.250–0.890; P=0.020). @*Conclusions@#After 6 cycles of XELOX chemotherapy, capecitabine maintenance significantly prolonged PFS compared with observation, and toxicity was manageable. Maintenance treatment was a significant prognostic factor associated with PFS.
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One of the common complications that can occur during coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms, is migration of coil lump alone. The removal of these migrated coils has been reported on a few occasions. On the other hand, rare complications would include the migration of the coil with subsequent stent dislocation. Currently, there is no standardized method to correct the complications of stent dislocation, and very few instances of this complication have been reported previously. In this report, we introduce a case of coil migration combined with stent dislocation. This occurred during coil embolization of an unruptured aneurysm of the distal, left internal carotid artery for a 52-year old woman. We retrieved both the damaged stent and migrated coil using another retrievable stent successfully with no more further complications. In the present report, we describe in detail how we corrected the complication successfully stent, and we discuss why this rescue maneuver is reasonable option for the complication mentioned above.
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The recent advances in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) enable to precisely edit the desired bases in hPSCs to be used for the establishment of isogenic disease models and autologous ex vivo cell therapy. The knock-in approach based on the homologous directed repair with Cas9 endonuclease, causing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), produces not only insertion and deletion (indel) mutations but also deleterious large deletions. On the contrary, due to the lack of Cas9 endonuclease activity, base editors (BEs) such as adenine base editor (ABE) and cytosine base editor (CBE) allow precise base substitution by conjugated deaminase activity, free from DSB formation. Despite the limitation of BEs in transition substitution, precise base editing by BEs with no massive off-targets is suggested to be a prospective alternative in hPSCs for clinical applications. Considering the unique cellular characteristics of hPSCs, a few points should be considered. Herein, we describe an updated and optimized protocol for base editing in hPSCs. We also describe an improved methodology for CBE-based C to T substitutions, which are generally lower than A to G substitutions in hPSCs.
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Purpose@#To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of transplanted amniotic membrane in patients who underwent permanent amniotic membrane transplantation (P-AMT) on cornea. @*Methods@#From April 2014 to March 2021, medical records and digital photographs of 68 patients (72 eyes) who underwent P-AMT were analyzed retrospectively. The duration of complete re-epithelization of cornea and wearing therapeutic contact lense (T-lens) after surgery were investigated, the size of preserved amniotic membrane (AM) excluding the melted portion was analyzed using the Image J program every year up to 6 years after surgery, and it was compared by dividing into a single-layer group and a double-layer group. In addition, when the AM melts, the cause, time, and related factors of melting were analyzed. @*Results@#The average duration to complete re-epithelialization after surgery was 12.2 ± 11.0 days, and T-lens were worn on average up to 8.7 ± 8.5 months after surgery. In total group, the average ratio of preserved AM annually up to 6 years after surgery was 94.9%, 94.3%, 97.8%, 96.4%, 95.8%, 91.6% respectively, and there was no significant difference between the single-layer group and the double-layer group. AM melting appeared in 38.9% (28 eyes) of the total group, and melting was first observed on average 16.4 ± 17.2 months after surgery. The formation and rupture of bullae was the most common cause of melting at 71.4% (20 eyes), and there were no statistically significant related factors involved in the formation of bullae. @*Conclusions@#In the case of P-AMT performed in various diseases of the cornea, the transplanted AM is partially melt but considered to be well preserved up to 6 years after surgery to form a stable ocular surface.
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Recently, through the development of CAD/CAM technology, it is also being used for fabricating dentures. Compared to conventional methods, when digital dentures are fabricated, the fabrication process is facilitated, and the number of visits to hospitals is reduced and errors are reduced. In this case, the vertical dimension was increased using a CAD program in a patient who needed vertical dimension recovery due to the use of old dentures, and the final denture was fabricated using a monolithic disc through the milling method. The centric relation was recorded using existing dentures, and using the information from the intraoral scan and the existing denture model scan, a trial denture was fabricated and delivered to the patient to evaluate the midline and occlusion. Based on the evaluation of the trial denture, the final denture was fabricated using a milling method and a monolithic disc, and the final denture showed satisfactory results functionally and aesthetically.
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The implant prosthesis of anterior maxilla requires careful consideration in planning. In order to satisfy both esthetic and functional needs of a patient, fusion of intra-oral scan in Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and facial scan can be considered. Bony structures and soft tissues captured in CBCT and occlusal surfaces of intra oral scan were incorporated into personal characteristics from facial scan. The patient had insufficient buccal bone on maxillary anterior area. The maxillary implants could not be placed on the most ideal position. However, the “top down” approach completed by computer-generated arranging of teeth in implant planning and surgery with surgical guide resulted in esthetically and functionally satisfying result regardless of the limitation. Careful diagnosis with digital technique and the usage of surgical guide resulted in successful surgery and esthetic restoration. The temporary fixed prostheses were designed, restored and evaluated. The patient was not satisfied with the first design of temporary prosthesis, which showed uneven space distribution between teeth due to the position of maxillary implant. The design was modified by changing proximal emergence contours and line angle to alter the perceived since of incisors. The patient was satisfied with the new design of provisional restoration. A digital occlusion analyzer (Arcus Digma II, KaVo, Leutkirch, Germany) was used to measure inherent condylar guidance and anterior guidance of a patient to provide a definitive prosthesis.
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Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated acute polyradiculoneuropathy and commonly occurs after a preceding infection or immunization sequalae. Following the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 virus pandemic with co-introduction of massive vaccinations, several GBS cases associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection per se or after vaccination for COVID-19 were reported internationally. Herein, we report two cases of Korean GBS presenting with tetraplegia after two different COVID-19 vaccinations (42-year old man by AstraZeneca and 48-year woman by Pfizer vaccines) within four weeks after vaccination. The patients were diagnosed with clinical examination, serial electromyography, and compatible laboratory results and improved after comprehensive rehabilitative treatment and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Furthermore, we performed an electrodiagnostic follow-up study of each case to examine their unique characteristics.
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Purpose@#To investigate the clinical efficacy of MS-Amnion amniotic membrane contact lenses. @*Methods@#MS-Amnion amniotic membrane contact lenses were placed for 1 week in patients with severe superficial punctate keratitis or corneal epithelial defects that did not respond to medical treatment. Eighteen eyes followed-up for ≥3 months were evaluated in terms of the best-corrected visual acuity, tear break-up time, and corneal sensation and opacity before and after application of the MS-Amnion amniotic membrane contact lens. The success and recurrence rates, and complications during follow-up, were recorded. @*Results@#Out of 18 eyes, 15 (83.3%) healed within 2 weeks without any treatment other than the amniotic membrane; three eyes (16.7%) were unresponsive, and thus underwent temporary amniotic membrane transplantation. Recurrence developed in three eyes (20%). The amniotic membrane contact lens dropped out in five eyes (27.8%) and folded over in two (11.1%). The mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.89 to 0.27 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution after 3 months, while the mean corneal opacity decreased from 0.38 to 0.11 after 3 months; the changes were statistically significant. The tear break-up time and corneal sensation also improved, but they were not statistically significant. We encountered no significant complications. @*Conclusions@#The MS-Amnion amniotic membrane contact lenses can heal the amniotic membrane and do not require suturing when applied in the outpatient clinic. This may be beneficial for patients with intractable ocular surface disorders.
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Objective@#Dysphagia is a common symptom of stroke and affects 23–50% of such patients. In addition, bulbar involvement, which causes dysphagia, is the primary initial symptom in approximately 25–30% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. The purpose of this study was to compare patterns of swallowing difficulties in stroke and ALS patients. @*Methods@#We retrospectively recruited 84 ALS patients with dysphagia and 294 stroke patients with dysphagia between January 2017 and December 2019. Swallowing processes were reviewed by videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSSs). The presence of oral residues and oral transit times (OTTs) were measured in the oral phase, and the presence of penetration and aspiration and residues in valleculae or pyriform sinuses were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 and comparisons using the Chi-square test. @*Results@#ALS patients more frequently had delayed OTTs and oral residues than stroke patients, and stroke patients more frequently experienced aspiration and had delayed thin liquid pharyngeal transit times (PTTs). However, no significant intergroup difference was observed for the presence of penetration, residues in valleculae or pyriform sinuses, or thick liquid PTTs. @*Conclusion@#The study shows that ALS patients exhibit slower food processing in the oral cavity and more significant bulbar muscle weakness than stroke patients. On the other hand, stroke patients had greater thin liquid aspiration rates than ALS patients. These findings should be considered when choosing treatments for ALS and stroke.
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Objective@#: Anterior communicating artery (Acom) aneurysm is one of the most common intracranial aneurysms, constituting approximately 30–35% of all aneurysm formation in the brain. Anatomically, the H-complex (the anatomic morphology of both A1 to A2 segments) is thought to affects the nature of the Acom aneurysm due to its close relationship with the hemodynamics of the vessel. Therefore, we investigated the relative risk factors of aneurysmal rupture, especially focusing on H-complex morphology of the Acom. @*Methods@#: From January 2016 to December 2020, a total of 209 patients who underwent surgery, including clipping and coiling for Acom aneurysm in our institution were reviewed. There were 102 cases of ruptured aneurysm and 107 cases of unruptured aneurysm. The baseline morphology of aneurysms was investigated and the relationship between the H-complex and the clinical characteristics of patients with Acom aneurysms was assessed. @*Results@#: Of the 209 patients, 109 patients (52.1%) had symmetrical A1, 79 patients (37.8%) had unilateral hypoplastic A1, and 21 patients (10.0%) had aplastic A1. The hypoplastic A1 group and the aplastic A1 group were grouped together as unilateral dominancy of A1, and were compared with the symmetrical A1 group. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics and radiological findings of Acom aneurysms between two groups. However, when dichotomizing the patients into ruptured cases and unruptured cases, unilateral dominance of the A1 segment was associated with aneurysmal rupture with statistical significance (p=0.011). @*Conclusion@#: These results suggest that the unilateral dominance of the A1 segment does not have a significant effect on the morphology of Acom aneurysms, but contributes to aneurysmal rupture. Thus, we can better understand the effects of hemodynamics on Acom aneurysm.