Aneurysmectomy and graft interposition for giant thrombosed proximal internal carotid artery aneurysm: Technical details

A giant thrombosed extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm (ECCA) is extremely rare and its treatment is challenging. Despite the advance of endovascular technique, open surgery is still considered a first-line treatment in giant thrombosed ECCA. We describe a case of giant thrombosed ECCA which was successfully treated by aneurysmectomy and graft interposition with the technical details.

Influence of Triggering Events on the Occurrence of Spontaneous Intracranial Hemorrhage : Comparison of Non-Lesional Spontaneous Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage and Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective@#: Spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage is a life-threatening disease, and non-lesional spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhage (nIPH) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are the leading causes of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage. Only a few studies have assessed the association between prior physical activity or triggering events and the occurrence of nIPH or aSAH. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of specific physical activities and triggering events in the occurrence of nIPH and aSAH. @*Methods@#: We retrospectively reviewed 824 consecutive patients with spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage between January 2010 and December 2018. Among the 824 patients, 132 patients were excluded due to insufficient clinical data and other etiologies of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage. The medical records of 692 patients were reviewed, and the following parameters were assessed : age, sex, history of hypertension, smoking, history of stroke, use of antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents, season and time of onset, physical activities performed according to the metabolic equivalents, and triggering event at onset. Events that suddenly raised the blood pressure such as sudden postural changes, defecation or urination, sexual intercourse, unexpected emotional stress, sauna bath, and medical examination were defined as triggering events. These clinical data were compared between the nIPH and aSAH groups. @*Results@#: Both nIPH and aSAH most commonly occurred during non-strenuous physical activity, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.524). Thirty-two patients (6.6%) in the nIPH group and 39 patients (8.1%) in the aSAH group experienced triggering events at onset, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.034). The most common triggering events were defecation or urination in both groups. @*Conclusion@#: Specific physical activity dose no affect the incidence of nIPH and aSAH. The relationship between the occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage and triggering events is higher in aSAH than nIPH.

Risk Factors of Secondary Lumbar Discectomy of a Herniated Lumbar Disc after Lumbar Discectomy

OBJECTIVE: To study risk factors of secondary lumbar discectomy (LD) for recurrent herniated lumbar disc (HLD) and identify methods to lower the rate of recurrence.METHODS: Data from 160 patients who underwent primary LD were collected retrospectively. Demographic features, radiologic findings including Pfirrmann disc degeneration, and surgical information were analyzed to compare risks between revision and non-revision patients.RESULTS: The revision rate was 15% (24 patients), and the mean follow-up was 28.3 months. HLD recurrence was not related to any demographic characteristics. Primary and secondary LD were most common at the L4–5 level, but the level of operation was not significantly associated with revision. Primary LD most commonly had a Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade of 3, followed by 4. For recurrent HLD, Pfirrmann grade 4 was most common and was statistically significant (p<0.05). A body mass index (BMI) over 30 was considered obese and was significantly related with HLD revision (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Patients with high BMI or severe disc degeneration should be informed of HLD revision.

Risk Factors of Secondary Lumbar Discectomy of a Herniated Lumbar Disc after Lumbar Discectomy

OBJECTIVE: To study risk factors of secondary lumbar discectomy (LD) for recurrent herniated lumbar disc (HLD) and identify methods to lower the rate of recurrence. METHODS: Data from 160 patients who underwent primary LD were collected retrospectively. Demographic features, radiologic findings including Pfirrmann disc degeneration, and surgical information were analyzed to compare risks between revision and non-revision patients. RESULTS: The revision rate was 15% (24 patients), and the mean follow-up was 28.3 months. HLD recurrence was not related to any demographic characteristics. Primary and secondary LD were most common at the L4–5 level, but the level of operation was not significantly associated with revision. Primary LD most commonly had a Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade of 3, followed by 4. For recurrent HLD, Pfirrmann grade 4 was most common and was statistically significant (p<0.05). A body mass index (BMI) over 30 was considered obese and was significantly related with HLD revision (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with high BMI or severe disc degeneration should be informed of HLD revision.