Postoperative Clinical Outcome and Risk Factors for Poor Outcome of Foraminal and Extraforaminal Lumbar Disc Herniation

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated postoperative outcomes in patients who have lumbar foraminal or extraforaminal disc herniation (FELDH) and suggested the risk factors for poor outcomes. METHODS: A total of 234 patients were selected for this study. Pre- and post-operative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean version Oswestry Disability Index (KODI) were evaluated and the changes of both score were calculated. Outcome was defined as excellent, good, fair, and poor based on Mcnab classification. The percentage of superior facetectomy was calculated by using the Maro-view 5.4 Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS). RESULTS: Paramedian lumbar discectomy was performed in 180 patients and combined lumbar discectomy was performed in 54 patients. Paramedian lumbar discectomy group showed better outcome compared with combined discectomy group. p value of VAS change was 0.009 and KODI was 0.013. The average percentage of superior facetectomy was 33% (range, 0-79%) and it showed negative correlation with VAS and KODI changes (Pearson coefficient : -0.446 and -0.498, respectively). Excellent or good outcome cases (Group I) were 136 (58.1%) and fair or poor outcome cases (Group II) were 98 (41.9%). The percentage of superior facetectomy was 26.5% at Group I and 42.5% at Group II. There was significant difference in superior facetectomy percentage between Group I and II (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that paramedian lumbar discectomy with preservation of facet joints is an effective and good procedure for FELDH. At least 60% of facet should be preserved for excellent or good outcomes.

Clinical and Radiologic Analysis of Posterior Apophyseal Ring Separation Associated with Lumbar Disc Herniation

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the clinical and radiologic features of posterior apophyseal ring separation (PARS) with lumbar disc herniation and suggest the proper management options according to the PARS characteristics. METHODS: We reviewed case series of patients with PARS who underwent surgery of lumbar disc herniation. Preoperative symptoms, neurologic status, Body Mass Index, preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean-Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI) scores, operation types were obtained. PARS size, locations, the degree of resection were assessed. RESULTS: PARS was diagnosed in 109 (7.5%) patients among 1448 patients given surgical treatment for single level lumbar disc herniation. There were 55 (50.5%) small PARS and 54 (49.5%) large PARS. Among the large PARS group, 15 (27.8%) had lower endplate PARS of upper vertebra at the level of disc herniation. Thirty-nine (72.2%) were upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra. Among the group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra, unresected PARS was diagnosed in 12 (30.8%) cases and resected PARS was diagnosed in 27 (69.2%) cases. VAS and K-ODI scores changes were 3.6+/-2.9 and 5.4+/-6.4 in the unresected PARS group, 5.8+/-2.1 and 11.3+/-7.1 in the resected PARS group. The group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra showed significant difference of VAS (p=0.01) and K-ODI (p=0.013) score changes between unresected and resected PARS groups. CONCLUSION: The large PARS of upper endplate in lower vertebra should be removed during the surgery of lumbar disc herniation. High level or bilateral side of PARS should be widely decompressed and arthrodesis procedures are necessary if there is a possibility of secondary instability.

The Clinical Features of Spinal Leptomeningeal Dissemination from Malignant Gliomas

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of leptomeningeal dissemination from malignant glioma is rare, so the clinical features of this are not well documented yet. We attempted to determine the clinical features of leptomeningeal dissemination from malignant gliomas. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 11 cases of leptomeningeal dissemination of malignant glioma, who were treated at our institution between 2006 and 2009. We investigated the clinical features of these patients by considering the following factors : tumor locations, the events of ventricular opening during surgery and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles, including the cytology. RESULTS: The group was composed of 9 males and 2 females. The histological diagnosis of their initial intracranial tumors were 4 primary glioblastoma, 3 anaplastic astrocytoma, 1 anaplastic oligoastrocytoma, 2 ganglioglioma and 1 pleomorphic xanthoastrocyotma with anaplastic features. The mean age of the patients at the time of the initial presentation was 42.8+/-10.3 years. The mean time between surgery and the diagnosis of spinal dissemination was 12.3+/-7.9 (3-28) months. The mean overall survival after dissemination was 2.7+/-1.3 months. All our patients revealed a history of surgical opening of the ventricles. Elevated protein in the CSF was reported for eight patients who had their CSF profiles checked. CONCLUSION: We propose that in the malignant gliomas, the surgical opening of ventricles can cause the spinal leptomeningeal dissemination and the elevated protein content of CSF may be a candidate marker of leptomeningeal dissemination.

Experiences of Bifrontal Interhemispheric Approach in Craniopharyngioma Surgery

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcomes of bifrontal interhemispheric(BIH) approach and compare them to those of the pterional approach for the treatment of craniopharyngioma. METHODS: Seventeen patients had their first operation for the resection of craniopharyngiomas between 2000 and 2004 at our medical center. Eleven patients who had the pterional approach and 6 with the BIH approach were enrolled. The age range at the time of surgery was 5 to 80 years (mean age 35.6 years old). The presenting symptoms were visual disturbance in 12 patients and signs of increased intracranial pressure in 5 patients. RESULTS: The tumors were totally removed in 3(27 %) and subtotally in 8(73 %) patients with the pterional approach. Total tumor removal was achieved in 5 out of 6(83%) patients by the BIH approach, except 1 patient with a subchiasmatic lesion. Vision was improved in 4(36 %) patients treated with the pterional approach and in all patients treated by the BIH approach CONCLUSION: The BIH approach for craniopharyngioma surgery may be an effective and safe approach for tumors that extend outside of the sellar-suprasellar region with acceptable outcomes.

Clinical Review and Surgical Treatment of Intrahepatic Stones / 한국간담췌외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic stones are common in East Asia and pose serious complications such as biliary stricture, liver atrophy, liver abscess, sepsis and sometimes cholangiocarcinoma. The management of primary intrahepatic stones is difficult and it is also difficult to remove all stones during operation. METHODS: Eighty seven patients with hepatolithiasis were admitted to the department of surgery, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center during 4 year period between 1994 and 1997. We reviewed medical records retrospectively for these patients. RESULTS: The peak incidence of age was 50's and the male to female ratio was 1:1.2. Intrahepatic stones were located in the left lobe in 62.1%, right lobe 17.2% and both lobe 20.7%. Stones were found only within the liver (I type) in 34.5% and both inside and outside the liver (IE type) in 65.5%. Analysis of the composition of intrahepatic stones revealed calcium bilirubinate as the most common compound (over 75%) and E. coli was the most common organism in bile culture. We classified intrahepatic stones as four types. Type I (45.9%) is cases with liver atrophy on abdominal CT, type II (20.6%) is cases without liver atrophy as IE type, type III (16.0%) is cases with dilatation of extrahepatic bile duct as I type, and type IV (17.2%) is cases without liver atrophy nor extrahepatic bile duct dilatation. Of the 72 operated patients, liver resection was done in 43 (59.7%) and 9 patients (20.0%) had residual stones. Cholangiocarcinoma was found in 3 (7.0%) of the total 43 patients who underwent liver resection. CONCLUSION: Hepatic resection should be performed in selected patients with intrahepatic stones because of lowest presence of residual stones and no difference of postoprative complications compared with drainage procedure.

Glomus Tumor in Radial Artery: A case report

Glomus tumor, a rare benign vascular tumor arising from the neuromyoarterial apparatus, is usually located at the tip of digits, especially at subungual region. Most of this tumor present typical symptoms such as hypersensitivity to cold, severe pain and point tenderness but frequently misdiagnosed as neuroma, gout or causalgia. Concerning about the origin of the glomus tumor, there were few written reports about extra-digit vascular origin glomus tumor especially that occurred at forearm artery. Recently we experienced a glomus tumor which arised at forearm radial artery and reported with review of literatures. A 31-year-old female admitted to our department with pulsating, slow growing, tender mass at her left forearm for about 1 year. After diagnostic evaluation of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance angiography, surgical resection was performed under the diagnosis of radial artery aneurysm but the histologic final diagnosis made by special immunohistochemical stains was glomus tumor originated from radial artery. The postoperative course was uneventful up to 2 years of follow up.