OBJECTIVE: In recent years, the neurosurgeon's role in managing cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) has becomes rapidly challenged and overlapped with other specialists. Furthermore, the patterns of CVD and patient recruitment have also changed. We conducted a retrospective study regarding the practical trends of CVD with reference to the management paradigms at our institute. METHOD: We reviewed all the available data, including the annual reports, the daily department records, the medical records and the radiographic films of the CVD patients who had been admitted to our Neurosurgery Department during the five years between Jan. 2004 and Dec. 2008. RESULTS: The total numbers of CVD operations showed a slight initial increase, but then they remained steady for the latter 3 years. The number of cases of non-angiomatous hemorrhage has been relatively steady, regardless of surgery. The total numbers of treated aneurysms increased, but the main body of this increment was attributed to the initiation of endovascular treatment and increased identification of unruptured vascular lesions. Vascular malformations were sustained with a small number of cases due to referring them to other institutes for radiosurgery, except for the cases that required urgent hemorrhagic evacuation. CONCLUSION: Hemorrhagic CVDs tended to decrease either due to increasing identification before rupture or shifting such patients into a large volume hospital. The increasing awareness of ischemic CVD, the early detection of unruptured aneurysms, and the separation of medical responsibilities from neurologists have all pushed neurosurgeons to make treatment plans in a more cooperative fashion, instead of a competitive way. Neurosurgeons should be furnished with several revolutionary surgical options to widen their scope of managing patients with CVD.
Academies and Institutes ; Aneurysm ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Medical Records ; Neurosurgery ; Patient Selection ; Radiosurgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Specialization ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Vascular Malformations ; X-Ray Film

No abstract available.
Epidermolysis Bullosa ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Preimplantation Diagnosis*

OBJECTIVE: Transpedicular screw fixation has some disadvantages such as postoperative back pain through wide muscle dissection, long operative time, and cephalad adjacent segmental degeneration (ASD). The purposes of this study are investigation and comparison of radiological and clinical results between interspinous fusion device (IFD) and pedicle screw. METHODS: From Jan. 2008 to Aug. 2009, 40 patients underwent spinal fusion with IFD combined with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). In same study period, 36 patients underwent spinal fusion with pedicle screw fixation as control group. Dynamic lateral radiographs, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (K-ODI) scores were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: The lumbar spine diseases in the IFD group were as followings; spinal stenosis in 26, degenerative spondylolisthesis in 12, and intervertebral disc herniation in 2. The mean follow up period was 14.24 months (range; 12 to 22 months) in the IFD group and 18.3 months (range; 12 to 28 months) in pedicle screw group. The mean VAS scores was preoperatively 7.16+/-2.1 and 8.03+/-2.3 in the IFD and pedicle screw groups, respectively, and improved postoperatively to 1.3+/-2.9 and 1.2+/-3.2 in 1-year follow ups (p<0.05). The K-ODI was decreased significantly in an equal amount in both groups one year postoperatively (p<0.05). The statistics revealed a higher incidence of ASD in pedicle screw group than the IFD group (p=0.029). CONCLUSION: Posterior IFD has several advantages over the pedicle screw fixation in terms of skin incision, muscle dissection and short operative time and less intraoperative estimated blood loss. The IFD with PLIF may be a favorable technique to replace the pedicle screw fixation in selective case.
Back Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc ; Muscles ; Operative Time ; Skin ; Spinal Fusion ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis

We report a case of linear arranged multiple cutaneous leiomyoma in a 45-year-old man. About 20 years ago, multiple normal skin colored firm papules developed on the left anterior chest and increased in number and size arranging in linear pattern. Some larger nodular lesions changed into brown in color and became painful after cold exposure. The lesions looked like keloid at first sight but the histopathologic finding showed typical leiomyoma in which the interlacing bundles of smooth muscle fibers with varying amount of collagen bundles intermingled.
Collagen ; Humans ; Keloid ; Leiomyoma* ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; Skin ; Thorax

Familial benign pemphigus is a skin disease with recurrent blistering lesions, mainly in the neck and intertriginous areas. The course of the disease is characterized by spontaneous exacerbations and remissions. The many remedies for this disorder include topical and systemic glucocorticosteroids, and antibacterial and antimycotic agents. However, these therapies usually do not prolong the remission periods. Surgical treatments, such as skin graft, have been more successful. Laser treatment has reported to be effective in recurrent familial benign chronic phemphigus. Here we report a case of familial benign chronic phemphigus that was treated with carbin dioxide laser.
Blister ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Lasers, Gas* ; Neck ; Pemphigus ; Pemphigus, Benign Familial* ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Transplants

Familial benign pemphigus is a skin disease with recurrent blistering lesions, mainly in the neck and intertriginous areas. The course of the disease is characterized by spontaneous exacerbations and remissions. The many remedies for this disorder include topical and systemic glucocorticosteroids, and antibacterial and antimycotic agents. However, these therapies usually do not prolong the remission periods. Surgical treatments, such as skin graft, have been more successful. Laser treatment has reported to be effective in recurrent familial benign chronic phemphigus. Here we report a case of familial benign chronic phemphigus that was treated with carbin dioxide laser.
Blister ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Lasers, Gas* ; Neck ; Pemphigus ; Pemphigus, Benign Familial* ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Transplants

We present a case of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage in a 64-year-old male with sudden onset of left ophthalmoplegia. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a 10mm elongated aneurysmal sac which arose from the left internal carotid-anterior choroidal artery junction. The pterional approach was performed as an early surgery for aneurysm clipping. At operative field, the anterior choroidal artery aneurysm which directed posteromedially and compressed the origin of left oculomotor nerve was confirmed. And the blood blister like-aneurysm was also seen at the superolateral portion of the proximal bifurcation of the internal carotid-anterior choroidal artery. A large anterior choroidal artery aneurysm was clipped and the blood blister like-aneurysm was reinforced. No case report has been previously published describing a ruptured anterior choroidal artery aneurysm accomplished with third cranial nerve palsy. We reported a case of multiple aneurysms of anterior choroidal artery that caused ipsilateral oculomotor nerve palsy.
Aneurysm* ; Arteries* ; Blister ; Cerebral Angiography ; Choroid* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases* ; Oculomotor Nerve* ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Paralysis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

We present a case of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage in a 64-year-old male with sudden onset of left ophthalmoplegia. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a 10mm elongated aneurysmal sac which arose from the left internal carotid-anterior choroidal artery junction. The pterional approach was performed as an early surgery for aneurysm clipping. At operative field, the anterior choroidal artery aneurysm which directed posteromedially and compressed the origin of left oculomotor nerve was confirmed. And the blood blister like-aneurysm was also seen at the superolateral portion of the proximal bifurcation of the internal carotid-anterior choroidal artery. A large anterior choroidal artery aneurysm was clipped and the blood blister like-aneurysm was reinforced. No case report has been previously published describing a ruptured anterior choroidal artery aneurysm accomplished with third cranial nerve palsy. We reported a case of multiple aneurysms of anterior choroidal artery that caused ipsilateral oculomotor nerve palsy.
Aneurysm* ; Arteries* ; Blister ; Cerebral Angiography ; Choroid* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases* ; Oculomotor Nerve* ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Paralysis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is generally considered a condition that should be managed surgically. However, some patients initially receive conservative treatment, a subset of whom require surgical intervention later. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of delayed surgical intervention in ASDH patients who are initially managed conservatively. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2015, 842 patients diagnosed with ASDH were treated at our institution. Among them, 158 patients with convexity ASDH were initially treated conservatively. Patients were divided into a delayed surgery group and a conservative group. Demographic characteristics, past medication and medical histories, and radiological and laboratory data were collected by retrospective chart review. Independent risk factors were identified with univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (17.7%) underwent delayed surgical intervention. Their mean age was 69.0 years, and 82.1% were male. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease prevalence and use of anti-platelet agents did not significantly differ from the conservative group. However, age (p=0.024), previous cerebral infarction history (p=0.026), increased maximal hematoma thickness (p<0.001), midline shifting (p=0.001) and accompanying subarachnoid hemorrhage (p=0.022) on initial brain computed tomography (CT) scan, low hemoglobin level (p<0.001), high leukocyte count (p=0.004), and low glucose level (p=0.002) were significantly associated with delayed surgical intervention. In multivariate analysis, increased maximal hematoma thickness (odds ratio [OR]=1.279, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.075–1.521; p=0.006), low hemoglobin level (OR=0.673, 95% CI 0.467–0.970; p=0.034), and high leukocyte count (OR=1.142, 95% CI 1.024–1.272; p=0.017) were independent risk factors for delayed surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Due to the high likelihood of delayed surgical intervention among minimal ASDH patients with a thicker hematoma on initial brain CT, lower hemoglobin level, and higher leukocyte count, these patients should receive more careful observation.
Brain ; Cerebral Infarction ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Glucose ; Heart Diseases ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural* ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) colonization in neurosurgical practice of field, with particular attention to intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out on the Neurosurgical ICU (NICU), during the period from January. 2005 to December. 2007, in 414 consecutive patients who had been admitted to the NICU. Demographics and known risk factors were retrieved and assessed by statistical methods. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients had VRE colonization among 414 patients enrolled, with an overall prevalence rate of 6.1%. E. faecium was the most frequently isolated pathogen, and 92.3% of all VRE were isolated from urine specimen. Active infection was noticed only in 2 patients with bacteremia and meningitis. Relative antibiotic agents were third-generation cephalosporin in 40%, and vancomycin in 23%, and multiple antibiotic usages were also identified in 13% of all cases. Multivariate analyses showed Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score less than 8, placement of Foley catheter longer than 2 weeks, ICU stay over 2 weeks and presence of nearby VRE-positive patients had a significantly independent association with VRE infection. CONCLUSION: When managing the high-risk patients being prone to be infected VRE in the NICU, extreme caution should be paid upon. Because prevention and outbreak control is of ultimate importance, clinicians should be alert the possibility of impending colonization and infection by all means available. The most crucial interventions are careful hand washing, strict glove handling, meticulous and active screening, and complete segregation.
Bacteremia ; Catheters ; Colon ; Demography ; Enterococcus ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Hand Disinfection ; Handling (Psychology) ; Humans ; Incidence ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Mass Screening ; Meningitis ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neurosurgery ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vancomycin