OBJECTIVE: Microvascular decompression(MVD) at root exit zone(REZ) of the facial nerve has been largely popularized and it has become the standard treatment for patients with hemifacial spasm(HFS). This sturdy is performed to evaluate the efficacy of MVD over the course of time. METHODS: From 1994 to 2003, 50 patients with HFS who underwent MVD were followed up for more than 6 months. We retrospectively analyzed results with medical records and telephone researches. RESULTS: The mean age of patients at the time operation was 57.6 years and 84% of the patients were female. The mean duration of follow-up after operation was 3.4 years (range 0.5~7.8 years). One day after MVD, 54% of patients had complete relief of spasm immediately. Continuous improvements of HFS were observed during the follow-up period and these improvements were statistically significant with time (P<0.05). Until 6 months after operation, complete relief of spasm was observed in 84% of patients. The delayed relief of spasm was observed in 35.7% of our patients who experienced complete relief. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of MVD in HFS is improves with time. Continuous follow-up evaluations for the duration of more than at least 6 months after MVD are important for the decision of its clinical results because delayed relief of spasms occurs.
Facial Nerve ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemifacial Spasm* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spasm ; Telephone

No abstract available.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography* ; Circle of Willis*

Thirty six conseutive patients with recurrent hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage were identified in a retrospective review of 307 cases of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH) treated at the Fatima hospital between September, 1989, and August, 1992. The recurrence rate was 1.7%. There were 14 males and 22 females, aged 38 to 83 years. Only one patient had recieved regular antihypertensive therapy after initial hemorrhage. The mean volume of hemorrhage was 21.7cc at first attack and 19.5cc at recurrent attack. The site of recurrent hemorrhage was putamen in 18 cases, thalamus in 12 cases, cerebellum in 8 cases and lobar in 3 cases. The most common pattern of recurrence was "Ganglionic-Ganglionic"(10 cases). Recurrent hemorrhage occurred at the same side in 54.8% and same side & same wite in 16.7% of recurrent hemorrhage. Mean interval between the hemorrhage was 17.4 months and 55.8% of recurrent hemorrhage occurred within 1 year. Initial condition was worse at recurrent hemorrhage and outcome also was worse regardless of treatment methods. We concluded that recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage in HICH patients was not a rare condition and regular follow up and antihypertensive therapy was important in prevention of recurrent hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.
Cerebellum ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive* ; Male ; Putamen ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Thalamus

A 18-month-old child admitted with neck pain, spasm and neck motion limitation after traffic accident. On C-spine lateral view, there was anterior angulation of odontoid process with anterior displacement of atlas. Neurologic examination showed no specific focal deficits. The patient was treated with Gardner-Wells tongs traction, skeletal traction with wiring, Halo vest for 2 months, Minerva cast for 2 months and cervical collar brace. Eight months after the trauma, follow-up dynamic C-spine lateral view showed bone fusion without false movement or growth retardation.
Accidents, Traffic ; Braces ; Child* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant* ; Neck ; Neck Pain ; Neurologic Examination ; Odontoid Process* ; Spasm ; Traction

We reviewed 178 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hematoma(HICH), which were treated with computed tomography(CT) guided stereotactic aspiration from Aug. 1986 to Dec. 1993(166 CT guided U-loop and 12 Leksell system). Our series consisted of 82 males and 96 females. The hemorrhages were located in putamen in 67.4%, thalamus in 20.2%, subcortex in 9% and cerebellum in 3.4%. Mean removal rate of hematoma was 55.3%. The results for the 178 cases who underwent stereotactic aspiration were good recovery in 45.5%, moderate disability in 28.0%, severe disability in 9.0% and vegetative state in 4.0%. The infection rate and rebleeding rate of all cases were 1.7% and 6.8% respectively. The mortality rate of all cases was 13.5%. We analysed the factors affecting the prognosis in 178 patients. Factors affecting good prognosis were high initial GCS, less amount of initial hematoma and no presence of intraventricular hemorrhage. Stereotactic aspiration by CT-guided U-loop and Leksell system is simple, safe and can minimize the brain damage. This method can e performed under local anesthesia.
Anesthesia, Local ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Female ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Persistent Vegetative State ; Prognosis ; Putamen ; Thalamus ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Subdural empyema is a fulminating, purulent, bacterial infection located between the dura and arachnoidal membrane. Early diagnosis, adequate antibiotic therapy and surgical treatment played important roles in the successful management of subdural empyema. Subdural empyema can develop secondary to sinusitis, otitis media, meningitis, trauma or craniotomy. Subdural empyema in infants commonly develops secondary to infected subdural effusion associated with purulent meningitis. The incidence of this complication of meningitis in infants is approximately 2%. We report a case of subdural empyema concomitant with bilateral subdural effusion, which was successfully treated with surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy.
Arachnoid ; Bacterial Infections ; Craniotomy ; Early Diagnosis ; Empyema, Subdural* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Membranes ; Meningitis* ; Otitis Media ; Sinusitis ; Subdural Effusion*

No abstract available.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency* ; Humans

A fenestrated middle cerebral artery (MCA) is a rare congenital anomaly, and is related to interference in the normal embryonic development of the MCA. Fenestrated MCA has been regarded to have no clinical significance other than a rare event of hemorrhage from associated aneurysm. However, the fenestration within the arterial trunk can be an obstacle against thrombus migration and may be associated with a major cerebral infarction. Moreover, the presence of this anomaly can be hardly detected prior to thrombolytic procedures, and emergent treatments are proceeded without any information of anatomical configurations. Therefore, the recanalization procedures would carry a high risk of intraprocedural complications. We report a rare case of MCA territory infarction from occlusion of fenestrated M1 segment, and also introduce a safe method of mechanical thrombolysis using coil.
Aneurysm ; Cerebral Infarction ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Infarction ; Mechanical Thrombolysis ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Pregnancy ; Thrombosis

Sinus pericranii is a rare vascular anomaly that's characterized by an extracranial vascular mass with anastomotic connections between the intracranial and extracranial systems via the diploic veins of the skull. Preoperative evaluations for making the diagnosis are important to help prevent unexpected intraoperative bleeding. We report here on a case of surgically treated sinus pericranii in a 20-year-old female following minor head trauma. The clinical manifestations, pathogenesis and managements are discussed, and we also review the relevant literature.
Craniocerebral Trauma ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Sinus Pericranii ; Skull ; Veins ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: Electrodiagnostic test has shown diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS). This study was to evaluate the correlation between clinical outcome of endoscopic carpal tunnel ligament release(ECTR) and the predictive value of sensory nerve conduction. METHODS: From January 1998 to December 2004, 87 patients (44 right hand, 37 left hand, 6 bilateral hands) with CTS who underwent ECTR were followed up in our hospital for an average of 2.4 months. We retrospectively analyzed the results with previous medical records. All patients underwent electrodiagnostic test and ECTR. The patients were divided into three groups according to the electrodiagnostic test results. Group (A) was normal sensory nerve response, Group (B) was slowing sensory response and Group (C) was no sensory response. Improvement of the symptom after ECTR was assessed using a visual analogue scale(VAS) score. RESULTS: Differences between the three groups on the correlation of severity of sensory potential and duration of preoperative symptoms were significant. The mean value of improved VAS scores for the three groups were 6.0+/-0.96 in the Group A, 6.11+/-0.48 in the Group B and 6.14+/-0.53 in the Group C. There was no statistically significant difference between the severity of sensory nerve response and improvement in VAS score after ECTR. Complications included a wound infection, a case of skin necrosis, and two patients with persistent symptoms without any improvement. CONCLUSION: Although electrodiagnostic test has been known to be useful, sensory nerve response is considered not to be a good prognostic value for carpal tunnel syndrome after ECTR.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Hand ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Medical Records ; Necrosis ; Neural Conduction* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin ; Wound Infection