OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the surgical outcome and to compare the surgical results between transsylvian and transcortical approaches in patients with putaminal hematomas. METHODS: Retrospective review of charts and CT scan images was conducted in 45 patients (20 transsylvian and 25 transcortical approaches) who underwent open surgical evacuation of putaminal hematomas. Mean Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score and hematoma volume were 7.5+/-3.2 and 78.1+/-29.3 cc, respectively. The factors affecting the functional mortality were investigated using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. In addition, surgical results between transsylvian and transcortical approaches were compared. RESULTS: None of the patients had a good recovery after the surgery. Overall functional survival rate and mortality were 37.7% and 31%, respectively. The only risk factor for functional mortality was GCS motor score after controlling age, history of hypertension, side of hematoma, hematoma amount, midline shift, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage and surgical approach (p=0.005). Even though a transcortical approach was shorter in operative time (4.4 versus 5.1 hour) and showed a higher mortality rate (40% versus 20%) and lower functional survival (45% versus 35%) compared to the transsylvian approach, the differences were not statistically significant between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In patients who have large amounts of hematoma and require open surgical evacuation, the only significant risk factor for functional survival is the preoperative GCS score. Cortical incision methods such as transsylvian and transcortical approaches have no influence on the surgical outcome. To decompress the swollen brain rapidly, transcortical approach seems to be more suitable than transsylvian approach.
Brain ; Craniotomy ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Operative Time ; Putaminal Hemorrhage ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Graves' disease and primary myxedema are thought to be caused by the action of TSH receptor autoantibodies(thyroid stimulating antibody; TSAb & thyroid stimulation blocking antibody; TSBAb). Thus, detection of these antibodies is crucial in diagnosis and in follow up of those patients. Recently, a sensitive method using human TSH receptor transfected Chinese Hamster Ovary(CHO) cells has been developed. However, the complexity of IgG purification procedure is considered as a limitation for its clinical application as a routine test. The aim of this study is to determine whether polyethylene glycol(PEG)-precipitated immunogiobuIin fraction could substitute for purified IgG. METHODS: We developed optimal conditions for TSAb and TSBAb assays using crude, PEG precipitated immunoglobulin fraction; and evaluated the correlation of TSAb and TSBAb activities between thase measured using crude immunoglobulin fraction and purified IgG to clarify the usefulness of PEG-precipitated immunoglobulin fraction. TSH receptor expressing wild type CHO cells were used in TSAb and CHO cells expressing chimeric TSH receptor(Mc2; 90-165 amino acid residues were substituted by those of rat LH/CG receptar) were used in TSBAb assay to minimize the possible disturbing effects of TSAb in serum. RESULTS: The optimal serum amount for TSAb and TSBAb assay using PEG-precipitated immunoglobulin fraction were 250mL serum equivalent/well and 50mL serum equivalent/well, respectively. The optimal incubation time for both assays were 2 homs, and aptimal ccrncentration of bTSH for TSBAb assay was 0.1U/L. TSAb activities measured with PEG-precipitated immunoglobulin were significantly correlated with those measured with purified IgG in 26 patients with Graves diseases(r=0.93, p<0.001). Although TSBAb activities measured using PEG-precipitated imrnunoglobulin were conelated with those measured using purified IgG in 20 patients with primary myxedema(r=0.86, p<0.001), the positive rate in TSBAb assay using PEG-precipitated immunoglobulin was lower than that of usmg purified IgG(20% v.s. 65%) because of negative conversion of TSBAb activities in samples with weakly positive TSBAb activities measured using purified IgG. CONCLUSION: PEG-precipitated immunoglobulin fraction could be used instead of purified IgG in TSAb assay using hTSHR-tranasfected wild type CHO cells with equal sensitivity and specificity. This simple and practical TSAb assay using PEG-precipitated immunoglobulin in hTSHR-transfected CHO cells would be useful in clinica1 practiee.
Animals ; Antibodies* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus* ; Diagnosis ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Humans* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins* ; Myxedema ; Polyethylene Glycols* ; Polyethylene* ; Rats ; Receptors, Thyrotropin* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland

PURPOSE: Postoperative hypocalcemia is a common complication compared with the other complications following total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. We evaluated the incidence of transient and permanent hypocalcemia and the preservation status of the parathyroid glands following total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 145 cases of total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. The preservation status of the prarathyroid glands after total thyroidectomy was classified as intact preservation or ischemic change, according to the number of intact preserved parathyroid glands in group 1 (more than 2), group 2 (1) or group 3 (0). RESULTS: Permanent hypocalcemia was not found in group 1. The rate of transient or permanent hypocalcemia was significantly lower in group 2 than that in group 3 (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The parathyroid glands should be preserved to minimize the occurrence of hypocalemia after performing total thyroidectomy. The number of intact preserved parathyroid glands can be a good indicator for predicting the occurrence of post-total thyroidectomy hypocalcemia.
Humans ; Hypocalcemia* ; Incidence ; Parathyroid Glands ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy*

Stent assisted coiling (SAC) is a useful technique for the treatment of wide necked complex aneurysm. As the frequency of SAC increases, stent-related complications such as thromboembolism, aneurysm rupture, and vessel rupture have been reported. However, to the best of our knowledge, carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) after SAC has never been reported. The authors experienced a case of direct CCF after a SAC procedure for treatment of a complex posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysm regrowth, which was treated by clip ligation 12 years before. The patient was managed conservatively and angiograms performed three months after the procedure showed the complete obliteration of the left PcoA aneurysm and the spontaneous disappearance of CCF. Navigation of Solitaire stent lumen with microcatheter can cause unexpected arterial injury, especially when the proximal tip is placed in the curved portion. It seems to be desirable to place the proximal tip of Solitaire stent in the straight portion whenever possible to reduce the risk of inadvertent arterial injury which might be caused by future navigation of stent lumen.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Ligation ; Neck ; Rupture ; Stents* ; Thromboembolism

The authors present a case of factitious disorder manifestating as a lumbar disc herniation. This 38-year-old woman has been operated on over ten times during a 20-year-period. Surgeons should be alert to avoid unnecessary operations for this uncommon but potentially serious disorder.
Adult ; Back Pain ; Female ; Humans ; Malingering ; Somatoform Disorders ; Spine

A 42-year-old woman presented with Hunt and Hess grade (HHG) III subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by a ruptured left distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysm. Computed tomography showed a thin SAH on the cerebellopontine angle cistern, and small vermian intracerebral hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage in the fourth ventricle. Digital subtraction angiography revealed the aneurysm on the postmeatal segment of left distal AICA, a branching point of rostrolateral and caudomedial branch of the left distal AICA. Despite thin caliber, tortuous running course and far distal location, the AICA aneurysm was obliterated successfully with endovascular coils without compromising AICA flow. However, the patient developed left side sensorineural hearing loss postoperatively, in spite of definite patency of distal AICA on the final angiogram. She was discharged home without neurologic sequela except hearing loss and tinnitus. Endovascular treatment of distal AICA aneurysm, beyond the meatal loop, is feasible while preserving the AICA flow. However, because the cochlear hair cell is vulnerable to ischemia, unilateral hearing loss can occur, possibly caused by the temporary occlusion of AICA flow by microcatheter during endovascular treatment.
Adult ; Aneurysm* ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Arteries* ; Cerebellopontine Angle ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Female ; Fourth Ventricle ; Hair ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Hearing Loss, Unilateral ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Running ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Tinnitus

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in patients with ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: Of 1034 patients who were admitted to our hospital with ruptured aneurysms between 1994 and 2007, 128 (12.4%) had IVHs. The clinical, radiologic characteristics, and surgical outcomes in the IVH group were compared with the no-IVH group. RESULTS: The IVH group had a shorter time interval to admission. The incidence of IVH was significantly higher in patients > 70 years of age (p=0.021), males (p=0.000), alcohol abusers (p=0.039), patients with a Glagow Coma Scale (GCS) < or =8 (p=0.000), and patients with a Hunt and Hess grade of 4-5 (p=0.000). IVH was more common in patients with ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms (p=0.000) and anterior communicating artery aneurysms (p=0.036). The incidence of thick, diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH; p=0.004), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) >10 cc (p=0.006), rebleeding (p=0.010), and shunt-dependant hydrocephalus (p=0.000) was significantly higher in the IVH group than the no-IVH group. The mortality rate in the IVH group was significantly higher than the no-IVH group (48.4% versus 22.1%). The amount of IVH had an influence on the mortality; IVH involving all of the ventricles (59.7%) and IVH only involving some of the ventricles (33.9%) was associated with a 6.6- and 2.3-fold higher mortality than the no-IVH group, respectively. IVH was significantly associated with a poor surgical outcome; however, this association was not significant in patients with a GCS < or =8, or histories of rebleeding or seizures. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ruptured aneurysms, IVH reflects the clinical severity of SAH. IVH has a negative influence on surgical outcome, except in patients with a poor clinical status pre-operatively.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Coma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Male ; Seizures ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: The serum S100 protein has been known to reflect the severity of neuronal damage. The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the serum S100 protein by Elecsys S100 immunoassay in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and to establish reference value for this new method. METHODS: Serum S100 protein value was measured at admission, day 3 and 7 after bleeding in 42 consecutive patients (SAH : 20, ICH : 22) and 74 healthy controls, prospectively. Admission Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, Hunt & Hess grade and Fisher grade for SAH, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, ICH volume, and outcome at discharge were evaluated. Degrees of serum S100 elevation and their effect on outcomes were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Median S100 levels in SAH and ICH groups were elevated at admission (0.092 versus 0.283 microgram/L) and at day 3 (0.110 versus 0.099 microgram/L) compared to healthy controls (0.05 microgram/L; p<0001). At day 7, however, these levels were normalized in both groups. Time course of S100 level in SAH patient was relatively steady at least during the first 3 days, whereas in ICH patient it showed abrupt S100 surge on admission and then decreased rapidly during the next 7 days, suggesting severe brain damage at the time of bleeding. In ICH patient, S100 level on admission correlated well with GCS score (r=-0.859; p=0.0001) and ICH volume (r=0.663; p=0.001). A baseline S100 level more than 0.199 microgram/L predicted poor outcome with 92% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Logistic regression analyses showed Ln (S100) on admission as the only independent predictor of poor outcome (odd ratio 36.1; 95% CI, 1.98 to 656.3). CONCLUSION: Brain damage in ICH patient seems to develop immediately after bleeding, whereas in SAH patients it seems to be sustained for few days. Degree of brain damage is more severe in ICH compared to SAH group based on the S100 level. S100 level is considered an independent predictor of poor outcome in patient with spontaneous ICH, but not in SAH. Further study with large population is required to confirm this result.
Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Logistic Models ; Neurons ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Reference Values ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence rate of diffusion positive lesions (DPLs), and to assess the peri-procedural risk factors for the occurrence of DPLs in patients who underwent coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 304 saccular aneurysms were embolized during a seven-year period from Jan 2007 to Dec 2013. Of these, postoperative diffusion-weighted images were obtained in 186 procedures. There were 100 ruptured aneurysm and 86 unruptured aneurysms. The coiling procedures were as follows: simple coiling in 96, balloon assisted coiling (BAC) in 39, and stent assisted coiling (SAC) in 51 aneurysms. Clinical, angiographic and procedural factors were analyzed in relation to the occurrence of DPLs. RESULTS: Overall, DPLs were observed in 50.5%. In unruptured aneurysms, DPLs occurred in 23.5% of BAC, 41.9% of SAC and 57.7% of simple coiling (p = 0.08). Among ruptured aneurysms, DPLs occurred in 63.6% of BAC, 62.5% of SAC and 54.3% of simple coiling (p = 0.71). DPLs had a tendency to increase in ruptured aneurysms compared with unruptured aneurysms (57% vs. 43%, p = 0.077). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age > 55 years was the only independent risk factor for the occurrence of DPLs. CONCLUSION: DPLs occured more frequently in ruptured aneurysm and at an older age. Although most DPLs are asymptomatic, careful manipulation of cerebral or extracerebral arteries using various endovascular devices is important to reducing the occurrence of DPLs. BAC appeared to reduce occurrence of TE events in patient with unruptured aneurysm.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Arteries ; Diffusion* ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Logistic Models ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; Thromboembolism

Despite recent advances in the care of such patients, subarachnoid haemorrhage(SAH) due to ruptured intracerebral aneurysm continues to carry a high rate of morbidity and mortality. During the acute phase of SAH, various factors can aggravate a patients initial good neurological state, and every effort should thus be made to prevent such occurrences. Although not a major problem, seizure is a well known factor influencing the course of the disease. The authors studied 476 cases of SAH occurring during the preceding eight-year period and reported the incidence of seizure, the risk factors which evoke it, and the optimal time required to prevent it. The incidence was 11%, and 48% of seizures occurred within three days of SAH. The risk factors were Hunt-Hess grade at admission, degree of neurologic deficit, and the presence and timing of rebleeding. Regardless of initial grade, seizure led to a poorer outcome. We conclude that seizure in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs during the early stage of the disease and aggravates the prognosis. The recognition of risk factors and early prevention of seizure are thus necessary.
Aneurysm ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Mortality ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Seizures* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage