Clinical Analysis of Results of Shunt Operation for Hydrocephalus Following Traumatic Brain Injury / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: Ventricular enlargement following head injury is a frequent finding but cases requiring shunt operation are rare. The incidence and developing factors of post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) have been variously reported, but studies for factors influencing outcomes of shunt operation for PTH are rare. The incidence of PTH requiring shunt operation, causing injuries, and factors influencing outcome of shunt operation need to be identified. METHODS: In total, 1,142 patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) between January 2007 and December 2012 were admitted to our department. Of them, 23 patients underwent shunt operation for diagnosed PTH. In this clinical study, we reviewed retrospectively our TBI database and in the 23 patients, we evaluated outcomes with Glasgow Outcome Score just before the operation, at 14 days, 3 months, and 6 months according to initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, interval time between shunt operation and trauma, and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. RESULTS: The incidence of PTH treated with shunt operation was 2.01%. Subdural hematoma (SDH) was the most common preceding head injury. The outcomes of shunt operation were not related with lumbar CSF pressure or interval time from trauma, but initial GCS score correlated with the outcome. CONCLUSION: In present study, 2.01% of TBI patients underwent shunt operation. SDH was the most common preceding injury. Admission GCS score was related to the outcome of shunt operation. However, there were no correlation between the outcome of shunt operation and initial lumbar CSF pressure or interval time of shunt operation after the trauma.

Combined Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation and Unilateral Counter Occipitoatlantal Subluxation after Minor Trauma / 대한신경손상학회지

Rotatory fixation of the atlantoaxial joint is relatively rare in adults but somewhat more common in children. Most of them are reduced spontaneously or after traction. However, combined rotatory injury of atlantoaxial joint and unilateral occipitoatlantal subluxation is a rare disease, and it is often difficult to diagnose accurately. Because the craniovertebral junction is complex and patients with combined atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) and occipitoatlantal subluxation has a less rotated head than patients with pure AARF. And injury of the occipitoatlantal and atlantoaxial joint can often result upper cervical instability, so early diagnosis is very important. We present a case of the combined AARF and unilateral counter occipitoatlantal subluxation after minor trauma.

Comparative Study between a Curved and a Wedge PEEK Cage for Single-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Interbody Fusion

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficiency of a curved polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage in comparison with a wedge PEEK cage according to radiologic and clinical outcomes in patients with cervical degenerative disease. METHODS: A total of 37 patients who suffering from cervical disc disease with radiculopathy or myelopathy were reviewed retrospectively. Seventeen patients were underwent anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion with a curved shape PEEK cage (curved cage group), and twenty patients with wedge shape PEEK cage (wedge cage group). Clinical assessment was graded using Odom's criteria, NDI score and VAS score. For radiologic analysis, disc height (DH), segmental angle (SA), subsidence were measured at the preoperative and last follow up. RESULTS: A comparison of the preoperative and postoperative results revealed improvements after the surgery in the DH and SA in both cage groups. The change of postoperative DH between the preoperative and the last follow-up in wedge cage group and curved cage group was 6.85% and 25.5%, respectively. The change of postoperative SA was 1.75degrees and 0.95degrees, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the DH and SA between the 2 groups. The subsidence rate in the wedge cage group and curved cage group was 20% and 6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 2 different cage groups showed significant improvements in the disc height, segmental angle and clinical outcomes. However, the shape of PEEK Cage influences the tendency for subsidence. Increasing contact surface area and fitting into two adjacent vertebral body prevent significant subsidence.

Factor Affecting Recurrence of Chronic Subdural Hematoma after Burr-Hole Drainage / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: A variety of factors are known to have an influence on the recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). In this study, the authors investigated the influential factors for recurrence of CSDH after burr hole drainage. METHODS: 45 patients with unilateral CSDH were treated with one-burr hole trephination and closed drainage in our hospital during last 6 years, whom the drainage catheter tip was randomly located and checked on postoperative computed tomography (CT). The clinical status of patients, thickness of hematoma, midline displacement of before and after surgery, amount of subdural air collection, drainage catheter tip location were estimated and the relationship of those factors with the recurrence was analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with located catheter tip in frontal had a better clinical and radiological result. And the recurrence of CSDH was lower who has lesser amount of subdural air collection in postoperative CT. CONCLUSION: The recurrence rate of unilateral CSDH is influenced by the location of drainage catheter tip and the amount of subdural air collection.

Urgent Recanalization with Stenting for Severe Intracranial Atherosclerosis after Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Stenting of symptomatic intracranial stenosis has recently become an alternative treatment modality. However, urgent intracranial stenting in patients with intracranial stenosis following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is open to dispute. We sought to assess the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of urgent intracranial stenting for severe stenosis (>70%) in TIA or minor stroke patients. METHODS: Between June 2009 and October 2010, stent-assisted angioplasty by using a balloon-expandable coronary stent for intracranial severe stenosis (>70%) was performed in 7 patients after TIA and 5 patients after minor stroke (14 stenotic lesions). Technical success rates, complications, angiographic findings, and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Stenting was successful in all 12 patients. The mean time from symptom onset to stenting was 2.1 days (1-8 days). Post-procedural angiography showed restoration to a normal luminal diameter in all patients. In-stent thrombosis occurred in one patient (n=1, 8.3%), and was lysed with abciximab. No device-related complications, such as perforations or dissections at the target arteries or intracranial hemorrhaging, occurred in any patient. The mortality rate was 0%. No patient had an ischemic event over the mean follow-up period of 12.5 months (range, 7-21 months), and follow-up angiography (n=7) revealed no significant in-stent restenosis (>50%). CONCLUSION: Urgent recanalization with stenting is feasible, safe, and effective in patients with TIA or acute minor stroke with intracranial stenosis of > or =70%.

Clinical Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Primary Intraventricular Hemorrhage / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic factors of primary intraventricular hemorrhage. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients who suffered from primary intraventricular hemorrhage between 2003 and 2007. We analyzed the various factors that might influence the prognosis and these included the patient age, the disease etiology, the initial Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) score, the pupil reflex, Evan's ratio, Graeb's score, the ventriculocranial ratio (VCR) and dilatation of the fourth ventricle. The clinical outcomes were evaluated for each patient by using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) three months after the hemorrhage. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 38.5%. The factors correlated with a poor clinical outcome are an initial GCS score below 12 (p0.05). Dilatation of the fourth ventricle showed a poor outcome in 10 patients (83.3%), but this was without clinical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: A low initial GCS score, a high Graeb's score, the absence of a pupil reflex, a high VCR and the presence of obstructive hydrocephalus are associated with a poor outcome in patients with primary intraventricular hemorrhage.

Preliminary Radiological Outcomes of Cervical Arthroplasty with Bryan and Prestige LP Cervical Disc Prosthesis

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative motion preservation and prevention of adjacent segment degeneration is well recognized after placing artificial cervical disc prosthesis in patients with degenerative cervical disc disease. The authors investigated postoperative changes in motion dynamics in two different types of artificial cervical disc prosthesis, Bryan and Prestige LP cervical disc prosthesis, and compared them. METHODS: Twenty five patients underwent anterior cervical discectomy and implantation of artificial cervical disc prosthesis: 10 with Bryan and 15 with Prestige LP. Radiological assessments, including overall sagittal alignment angle, range of motion (ROM) of overall sagittal, functional spine unit (FSU) angle, segmental ROM of FSU and ROM of adjacent segment (Upper and Lower level) using static and dynamic lateral radiographs, were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. The mean postoperative follow up period was 18.6 months (range 10.4~28.5) in Bryan and 9.2 months (range 6.5~12.6) in Prestige LP. RESULTS: The overall sagittal alignment angle was decreased 2.9degrees in Bryan group (p=0.033) and increased 5.7degrees in Prestige LP group (p=0.017). The FSU angle at treated level was decreased 0.4degrees in Bryan group (p=0.929) and increased 2.9degrees in Prestige LP group (p=0.008). The ROM of overall sagittal was decreased in both groups (Bryan: 8.6degrees p=0.075, Prestige LP: 2.9degrees p=0.182). The segmental ROM of FSU was increased 1.0degrees in Prestige LP group (p=0.191) but, decreased 0.6degrees in Bryan group (p=0.929). The ROM of adjacent segment was decreased in both groups (Bryan: upper p=0.023 lower p=0.050, Prestige LP: upper p=0.570 lower p=0.132). The postoperative radiological results of comparison between two different artificial disc showed that overall sagittal alignment angle and FSU angle were more increased in Prestige LP (p=0.005, p=0.026, respectively). CONCLUSION: The segmental ROM of FSU was preserved and ROM of adjacent segment was decreased in both groups. This means that postoperative adjacent segment disease may be prevented regardless of types of implants. On comparison study, postoperative cervical curvature was more lordotic in Prestige LP. Therefore, Prestige LP is more suitable to maintain postoperative cervical lordosis. The limitation of our study is small number of case and short and unequal follow up period between two types of implants. Further long term study will be needed.

Prognostic factors influencing outcomes in elderly patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the prognostic factors that influence the surgical outcomes of elderly patients older than 65 years old with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: Ninety-two patients older than 65 years old, who were operated in our hospital between 1998 and 2005, were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale three months after surgery. RESULTS: The preoperative neurological status, such as the Hunt-Hess grade (p<0.001), World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grade (p<0.001), and the Fisher grade (p=0.001), was significantly associated with the surgical outcomes in this series. The vasospasm (0.016) and ventriculostomy (0.039) are factors influencing the surgical outcomes. However, the other factors including hypertension (0.831), smoking (0.228), accompanying disorder (0.706), size of aneurysms (0.177), location of aneurysms (0.755), shunt operation (0.356), and timing of surgery (0.194) had no influence on the surgical outcome. CONCLUSION: In elderly patients with intracranial aneurysms, the preoperative neurological status, vasospasm, and ventriculostomy are the most significant prognostic factors.

Primary Cerebral B Cell Lymphoma: A "ghost tumor" case report

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the brain is a rare malignancy and there are known to occur almost exclusively in brain parenchyme. Recent immunological advances and immunohistochemical techniques have provided new insights into the pathogenesis and diagnosis of the malignant lymphoma even in the small biopsied tissue and the majority of these CNS tumors is thought to be derived from B lymphocytes. A 22-year old man was admitted due to headack, dizziness and walking difficulty for 2 months. On the initial CT scan, there were two enhancing lesion in the suprasellar area and pineal gland which were completely disappeared with steroid therapy and three new lesions appeared on the follow-up CT and MRI studies in corpus callosum, third ventricle and left cerebral peduncle. The serial cytologic smears of cerebrospinal fluid and a stereotaxic biopsy tissue from the corpus callosum mass showed diffusely homogenous infiltration of neoplastic large noncleaved lymphocytes with focal perivascular arrangement. On the immunocytochemical stains, the reaction was negative for GFAP, positive for LCA and MB2, and negative for MT1. After radiation therapy, the masses completely disappeared on the follow-up CT scan and the patient was discharged free of all the clinical symptoms.