OBJECTIVE: Classically, single photon emission tomography is known to be the reference standard for evaluating the hemodynamic status of patients with moyamoya disease. Recently, T2-weighted perfusion magnetic resonance(MR) imaging has been found to be effective in estimating cerebral hemodynamics in moyamoya disease. We aim to assess the utility of perfusion-weighted MR imaging for evaluating hemodynamic status of moyamoya disease. METHODS: The subjects were fourteen moyamoya patients(mean age: 7.21yrs) who were admitted at our hospital between Sep. 2001 to Sep 2003. Four normal children were used for control group. Perfusion MR imaging was performed before any treatment by using a T2-weighted contrast material-enhanced technique. Relative cerebral blood volume(rCBV) and time to peak enhancement(TTP) maps were calculated. Relative ratios of rCBV and TTP in the anterior cerebral artery(ACA), middle cerebral artery(MCA) and basal ganglia were measured and compared with those of the posterior cerebral artery(PCA) in each cerebral hemispheres. Using this data, we analysed the hemodynamic aspect of pediatric moyamoya disease patients in regarding to the age, Suzuki stage, signal change in FLAIR MR imaging, and hemispheres inducing symptoms. RESULTS: The mean rCBV ratio of ACA, MCA did not differ between normal children and moyamoya patients. However the significant TTP delay was observed at ACA, MCA territories (mean = 2.3071 sec, 1.2089 sec, respectively, p < 0.0001). As the Suzuki stage of patients is advanced, rCBV ratio is decreased and TTP differences increased. CONCLUSION: Perfusion MR can be applied for evaluating preoperative cerebral hemodynamic status of moyamoya patients. Furthermore, perfusion MR imaging can be used for determine which hemisphere should be treated, first.
Basal Ganglia ; Cerebrum ; Child ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Moyamoya Disease ; Perfusion*

OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to investigate the association of tumorigenesis with DNA repair gene, N-methylpurine-DNA-glycosylase(MPG) in astrocytic tumors. METHODS: MPG mRNA expression and localization in the 30 astrocytic tumors and 7 tumor-adjacent brain tissues was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and RNA in situ hybridization. Expression and intracellular localization of MPG protein was determined by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA with a p value<0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: MPG mRNA expression in RT-PCR was significantly higher in grade IV tumor tissues than in brain tissues adjacent to tumor or in grade II-III astrocytic tumor tissues(p<0.05). MPG mRNA in in situ hybridization was detected both in brain tissues adjacent to tumor and in astrocytic tumor tissues, regardless of the tumor grades. However, MPG protein localization in immunohistochemical study was detected only in the nucleus of all tumor tissues. In brain tissues adjacent to tumor, immunohistochemical study for MPG was not stained both in the nucleus and in cytoplasm. CONCLUSION: These results suggest MPG's role in human astrocytic tumors and raise the possibility that the increased mRNA level and intracellular localization could be associated with astrocytic tumorigenesis. Further studies about control of MPG gene expression in astrocytic tumors are warranted.
Brain ; Carcinogenesis ; Cytoplasm ; DNA Repair* ; DNA* ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger

Authors made a clinical analysis on 17 patients who were reconstructed with autogenous cranioplasty using refrigerated bone flap at the Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine from March 1982 to April 1984, and the results were summarized as follows; 1) The use of refrigerated autogenous bone flap for cranioplasty provided best cosmetic appearance due to natural contour and early operation within 3 months. 2) This procedure was simple with reduction of operating time. No infection nor foreign body reactions were found. 3) There were psychological benefits due to use of autogenous bone flap and radiodensity was appropriate for diagnosis and treatment. Cranioplasty using refrigerated bone flap was thought to be safe and ideal procedure.
Bone Banks ; Diagnosis ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Neurosurgery

OBJECTIVE: Revascularization is an effective treatment for the ischemic symptom of moyamoya disease. Indirect revascularization is also effective. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has the ability for collateral formation that is equivalent to conventional angiography. This study analyzed the results of indirect revascularization by MRA. METHODS: A total of 25 patients underwent bilateral EDAS for the management of moyamoya disease. All patients underwent MRA after surgery more than 24 months later. The collateral formation was graded as Good, Fair, and Poor. The clinical outcome was assessed as Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. RESULTS: Good collateral formation was 32 sides of the EDAS, and fair was 18. An excellent clinical outcome was obtained in 15 patients, Good in 8, Fair in 1, and Poor in 1. There was a significant correlation between the preoperative symptom, gender, and the clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: In the management of ischemic moyamoya disease, indirect revascularization has been the golden standard with remarkably low morbidity and mortality. Moreover, and MRA can replace conventional angiography in the follow-up of moyamoya patients.
Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography* ; Mortality ; Moyamoya Disease*

Naloxone, specific opiate antagonist, selectively elevates plasma dopamine level, with the dopamine changes significantly correlated with improved cardiovascular function and reduces the release of endorphin in the endorphin stress system. As the results, naloxone increases both, systemic blood pressure and regional blood flow, limiting secondary ischemic changes and improving neurological function in the C.N.S. lesion by the experimental studies. We have studied the clinical effects of naloxone on the 40 cases of C.N.S. lesions from April to October, 1983. We have discussed our results and reviewed literatures.
Blood Pressure ; Dopamine ; Endorphins ; Ischemia ; Naloxone* ; Plasma ; Regional Blood Flow

We have experienced 66 cases of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages which were confirmed by computed tomographic scans. Microsurgical interventions were performed in 3 cases and the rest 33 cases were managed conservatively. The results of operative treatment were better than those of medical cares. However, surgical indication must be evaluated hematoma, blood pressure, mental state, timing of operation and feature of onset. CT scans are very helpful in the diagnosis of intracerebral hemorrhages about their size, shape, amount, intraventricular extension, mass effect, brain shift, and complicated hydrocephalus etc. Also pre-and postoperative repeated CT scans are very helpful for the therapeutic guide line.
Blood Pressure ; Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Diagnosis ; Hematoma ; Hydrocephalus ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

The authors report below a clinical study of 23 patients bearing 31 primary central nervous system lymphomas diagnosed between January 1985 and December 1994. The cohort included 13 men and 10 women whose mean age was 46 years, ranging from 28 to 61 years. No patient had antecedent of human immunodeficiency virus positivity but one had a past history of rheumatoid arthritis. The duration of symptom was less than 8 weeks in 52% of the patients. Symptom groups included increased intracranial pressure(78%), focal neurological decificit(52%), neuropsychiatric symptoms(43%), and seizures(13%). The histopathologcal diagnosies were done in 19 cases(10 cases by resective surgery, 9 cases by open or stereotactic biopsy). The others were diagnosed by the typical clinical course such as rapid disappearance of lesions after steroid therapy, and/or radiological findings. Histological subtypes(National Cancer Institute Working Formulation) was confirmed in 8 patients including 3 cases of diffuse larger cell type. Phenotype was determined in 7 patients: 4 were B-cell type and 3 were T-cell type. One patient committed suicide during the radiation therapy and was therefore excluded from the survival analysis. All but two patients received radiation therapy. Five patients received chemotherapy. The over-all Kaplan-Meier survival rate was 46% at 2 years and 15.5% at 5 years. On univariate analysis, statistically significant prognostic factor associated with survival was not found but the higher Karnofsky score and single lesion were found to be favorable to the long-term survival. In the statistical analysis of the patients who received radiation therapy, surgical resection did not significantly influence the survival.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; B-Lymphocytes ; Brain Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System* ; Cohort Studies ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; HIV ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Phenotype ; Suicide ; Survival Rate ; T-Lymphocytes

Radiotherapy is a standard postoperative treatment for various cerebral neoplasms. Howewr, radiation has the potential to produce severe injury to normal brain tissue in and around the tumor bed. The authors encountered 7 patients with delayed cerebral necrosis. These unacceptable complication prompted us to analyze cases with such a complication particularly in regard to the differential diagnosis between the recurrence of the tumor and radiation necrosis of the brain. This article summarizes factors related to the radiation necrosis, including clinical observations and treatment.
Brain Injuries ; Brain* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Necrosis* ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the frequency of postoperative epilepsies of patients with chronic as opposed to recent onset epilepsy due to glial tumors in the frontal or temporal lobe with the hypothesis that patients with chronic epilepsy do worse. METHODS: We compared the clinical and diagnostic characteristics of the patients(n=73) who had seizures preoperatively to those of the patients(n=153) who did not. Among those who have had seizures preoperatively, we compared those(n=32, chronic seizure group) who had seizures a year or more prior to surgery to those(n=41, acute seizure group) who had seizures within a year prior to surgery. RESULTS: Among the various factors, the frequency of benign pathology and favorable neurological state were higher in seizure group than in non-seizure group(p<0.05). Complex partial seizure and low-grade tumors were frequent in chronic seizure group, whereas simple partial seizure and high-grade tumors were frequent in acute seizure group. Seizure-free rate was significantly higher in acute seizure group than in chronic one(p<0.05). Also, the difference of seizure control rate between surgical strategies were statistically significant(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that preoperative seizure durations and frequencies have a close relationship with the frequency of postoperative epilepsy of glial tumors. A longer lapse may allow the formation of epileptogenic foci, leading to chronic epilepsy, and eventually having a negative effect on the prognosis of the patients. Factors including histopathological characteristics of the tumor, its location, seizure duration/frequency, and semiology should be taken account of deciding on surgical strategies.
Brain Neoplasms ; Epilepsy* ; Glioma ; Humans ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Seizures ; Temporal Lobe

Pre-operative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a preferable treatment option for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. However, few data are available regarding pre-operative CRT for locally advanced colon cancer. Here, we describe two cases of successful treatment with pre-operative CRT and establish evidence supporting this treatment option in patients with locally advanced colon cancer. In the first case, a 65-year-old woman was diagnosed with ascending colon cancer with duodenal invasion. In the second case, a 63-year-old man was diagnosed with a colonic-duodenal fistula due to transverse colon cancer invasion. These case reports will help to establish a treatment consensus for pre-operative CRT in patients with locally advanced colon cancer.
Aged ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending ; Colon, Transverse ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Consensus ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Neoplasms