The prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysm varies between 3.6% and 6%.Aneurysms in the posterior circulation, inaccessible by normothermic surgical clipping and giant aneurysms require direct surgical clipping under hypothermic circulatory arrest for cerebral protection.The authors describe a case of giant basilar aneurysm clipping requiring deep hypothermic total circulatory arrest under total intravenous anesthesia.The patient was a 43-year-old female with a giant aneurysm at the tip of the basilar artery.Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol (average effect site concentration 4 mcg/ml) and remifentanil (average effect site concentration 3 ng/ml) and deep hypothermic total circulatory arrest were performed.Neurophysiologic function was monitored by electroencephalography, and somatosensory and motor evoked potentials. Cardiac and coagulation profiles showed no significant changes. The aneurysm was successfully clipped but the patient expired. Further collations of clinical experiences should enable the identification of an optimal means of anesthetic management during complex cerebrovascular surgery.
Adult ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Aneurysm ; Circulatory Arrest, Deep Hypothermia Induced ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Piperidines ; Prevalence ; Propofol ; Surgical Instruments

Purpose: Repeated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is expected to have the potential to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of at-home tDCS for elderly patients with MCI. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 60–80 years, who maintained normal daily living but reported objective memory impairments, were enrolled. Active or sham stimulations were applied to the dorsal frontal cortex (left: anode; right: cathode) at home for 2 weeks. Changes in cognitive function were assessed using visual recognition tasks and the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and safety and efficacy were assessed using self-reports and a remote monitoring application. Results: Of the 19 participants enrolled, 12 participants were included in the efficacy analysis. Response times and MMSE scores significantly improved after active stimulation compared to the sham stimulation; however, there were no significant differences in the proportion of correct responses. The mean compliance of the efficacy group was 97.5%±4.1%. Three participants experienced burns, but no permanent sequelae remained. Conclusion This preliminary result suggests that home-based tDCS may be a promising treatment option for MCI patients; however, it requires more attention and technological development to address safety concerns.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Frovatriptan is a selective 5-HT1B/1D agonist with a long duration of action and a low incidence of side effects. Although several placebo-controlled trials have documented the clinical efficacy and safety of frovatriptan in adults with migraine, this drug has not previously been studied in Asian including Korean patients. METHODS: In this double-blind multicenter trial, 229 patients with migraine were randomized to receive frovatriptan 2.5 mg or placebo upon the occurrence of a moderate-to-severe migraine. The primary outcome was the 2-hour headache response rate. RESULTS: Frovatriptan significantly increased the 2-hour headache response rate compared with placebo (52.9% vs. 34.0%, p=0.004). The headache response rates at 4, 6, and 12 hours were significantly higher in the frovatriptan group than in the placebo group, as was the pain-free rate at 2 hours (19.0% vs. 5.7%, p=0.004), 4 hours (40.7% vs. 23.0%, p=0.006), and 6 hours (56.1% vs. 34.0%, p=0.002). The median time to a headache response was significantly shorter in the frovatriptan group than in the placebo group (2.00 hours vs. 3.50 hours, p<0.001). The use of rescue medications was more common in the placebo group (p=0.005). Chest tightness associated with triptan was infrequent (2.5%), mild, and transient. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that 2.5-mg frovatriptan is effective and well tolerated in Korean migraineurs for acute treatment of migraine attacks.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carbazoles ; Headache ; Humans ; Incidence ; Migraine Disorders ; Oxalates ; Thorax ; Tryptamines

Cluster headache (CH) is a rare underdiagnosed primary headache disorder with very severe unilateral pain and autonomic symptoms. Clinical characteristics of Korean patients with CH have not yet been reported. We analyzed the clinical features of CH patients from 11 university hospitals in Korea. Among a total of 200 patients with CH, only 1 patient had chronic CH. The average age of CH patients was 38.1 ± 8.9 years (range 19–60 years) and the average age of onset was 30.7 ± 10.3 years (range 10–57 years). The male-to-female ratio was 7:1 (2.9:1 among teen-onset and 11.7:1 among twenties-onset). Pain was very severe at 9.3 ± 1.0 on the visual analogue scale. The average duration of each attack was 100.6 ± 55.6 minutes and a bout of CH lasted 6.5 ± 4.5 weeks. Autonomic symptoms were present in 93.5% and restlessness or agitation was present in 43.5% of patients. Patients suffered 3.0 ± 3.5 (range 1–25) bouts over 7.3 ± 6.7 (range 1–30) years. Diurnal periodicity and season propensity were present in 68.5% and 44.0% of patients, respectively. There were no sex differences in associated symptoms or diurnal and seasonal periodicity. Korean CH patients had a high male-to-female ratio, relatively short bout duration, and low proportion of chronic CH, unlike CH patients in Western countries.
Age of Onset ; Asia ; Cluster Headache* ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Dihydroergotamine ; Headache Disorders, Primary ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Korea* ; Periodicity ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Seasons ; Sex Characteristics ; Sex Ratio ; Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is one of the major risk factors for ischemic stroke, particularly in Asian populations. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of ICAS in asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 835 asymptomatic Korean adults who voluntarily visited a tertiary referral hospital for a health screening examination that included brain magnetic resonance angiography. The subjects had no history of stroke or transient ischemic attacks; those who had potential cardiac sources of emboli were excluded. ICAS and extracranial atherosclerosis were defined as a reduction in luminal diameter of at least 50%. Vascular risk factors were screened through questionnaires, interviews, and examinations. RESULTS: ICAS was found in 25 subjects (3.0%) and extracranial atherosclerosis was found in 4 patients (0.5%). No patient had combined lesions. ICAS was distributed in 31 arteries in 25 subjects: anterior cerebral arteries (5 subjects, 16%), middle cerebral arteries (16 subjects, 52%), posterior cerebral arteries (8 subjects, 26%), and distal internal carotid arteries (2 subjects, 7%). The ratio of ICAS of the anterior circulation (23 of 31 arteries with ICAS, 74%) to that of the posterior circulation (8 of 31 arteries with ICAS, 26%) was 3:1. The ratio of ICAS (23 of 27 arteries with atherosclerosis in the anterior circulation, 85%) to extracranial atherosclerosis (4 of 27 arteries with therosclerosis in the anterior circulation, 15%) was 6:1. An older age [odds ratio (OR)=1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.00-1.10] and hypertension (OR=2.41, 95% CI=1.01-5.72) were independent risk factors for ICAS. CONCLUSIONS: ICAS is more prevalent than extracranial atherosclerosis among neurologically asymptomatic Korean adults. Subjects with ICAS are significantly older and have an increased frequency of hypertension compared to those subjects without atherosclerotic stenosis.
Adult ; Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Arteries ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atherosclerosis ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis* ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Mass Screening ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Phenobarbital ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Prevalence* ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Stroke ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Purpose: Delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU) poses a significant safety and socioeconomic burden to patients and caregivers.However, invasive interventions for managing delirium have severe drawbacks. To reduce unnecessary interventions during ICU hospitalization, we aimed to investigate the features of delirium among ICU patients according to the occurrence of hypoactive symptoms, which are not expected to require invasive intervention. Materials and Methods: Psychiatrists assessed all patients with delirium in the ICU during hospitalization. Patients were grouped into two groups: a “non-hypoactive” group that experienced the non-hypoactive motor subtype once or more or a “hypoactive only” group that only experienced the hypoactive motor subtype. Clinical variables routinely gathered for clinical management were collected from electronic medical records. Group comparisons and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: The non-hypoactive group had longer and more severe delirium episodes than the hypoactive only group. Although the non-hypoactive group was prescribed more antipsychotics and required restraints longer, the hypoactive only group also received both interventions. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, BUN [odds ratio (OR): 0.993, pH OR: 0.202], sodium (OR: 1.022), RASS score (OR: 1.308) and whether restraints were applied [OR: 1.579 (95% confidence interval 1.194–2.089), p<0.001] were significant predictors of hypoactive only group classification. Conclusion Managing and predicting delirium patients based on whether patients experienced non-hypoactive delirium may be clinically important. Variables obtained during the initial 48 hours can be used to determine which patients are likely to require invasive interventions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cluster headache (CH) can present with migrainous symptoms such as nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. In addition, an overlap between CH and migraine has been reported. This study aimed to determine the differences in the characteristics of CH according to the presence of comorbid migraine. METHODS: This study was performed using data from a prospective multicenter registry study of CH involving 16 headache clinics. CH and migraine were diagnosed by headache specialists at each hospital based on third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). We interviewed patients with comorbid migraine to obtain detailed information about migraine. The characteristics and psychological comorbidities of CH were compared between patients with and without comorbid migraine. RESULTS: Thirty (15.6%) of 192 patients with CH had comorbid migraine, comprising 18 with migraine without aura, 1 with migraine with aura, 3 with chronic migraine, and 8 with probable migraine. Compared to patients with CH without migraine, patients with CH with comorbid migraine had a shorter duration of CH after the first episode [5.4±7.4 vs. 9.0±8.2 years (mean±standard deviation), p=0.008], a lower frequency of episodic CH (50.0% vs. 73.5%, p=0.010), and a higher frequency of chronic CH (13.3% vs. 3.7%, p=0.033). Psychiatric comorbidities did not differ between patients with and without comorbid migraine. The headaches experienced by patients could be distinguished based on their trigeminal autonomic symptoms, pulsating character, severity, and pain location. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct characteristics of CH remained unchanged in patients with comorbid migraine with the exception of an increased frequency of chronic CH. The most appropriate management of CH requires clinicians to check the history of preceding migraine, particularly in cases of chronic CH.
Classification ; Cluster Headache ; Comorbidity ; Headache ; Headache Disorders ; Humans ; Hyperacusis ; Migraine Disorders ; Migraine with Aura ; Migraine without Aura ; Nausea ; Photophobia ; Prospective Studies ; Specialization

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cluster headache (CH) is frequently either not diagnosed or the diagnosis is delayed. We addressed this issue by developing the self-administered Cluster Headache Screening Questionnaire (CHSQ). METHODS: Experts selected items from the diagnostic criteria of CH and the characteristics of migraine. The questionnaire was administered to first-visit headache patients at nine headache clinics. The finally developed CHSQ included items based on the differences in responses between CH and non-CH patients, and the accuracy and reliability of the scoring model were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with CH, 207 migraineurs, 73 with tension-type headache, and 18 with primary stabbing headache were enrolled. The CHSQ item were scored as follows: 3 points for ipsilateral eye symptoms, agitation, and duration; 2 points for clustering patterns; and 1 point for the male sex, unilateral pain, disability, ipsilateral nasal symptoms, and frequency. The total score of the CHSQ ranged from 0 to 16. The mean score was higher in patients with CH than in non-CH patients (12.9 vs. 3.4, p < 0.001). At a cutoff score of >8 points, the CHSQ had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 95.2%, 96%, 76.9%, and 99.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CHSQ is a reliable screening tool for the rapid identification of CH.
Cluster Headache* ; Diagnosis ; Dihydroergotamine ; Headache ; Headache Disorders, Primary ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Migraine Disorders ; Prevalence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tension-Type Headache

Background: and Purpose Epidemiologic data suggest that cluster headache (CH) is significantly associated with cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to determine differences in features between patients with a smoking history and those who are never-smokers, using data from a prospective multicenter registry. Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from the Korean Cluster Headache Registry that collected data from consecutive patients diagnosed with CH. We compared clinical and demographic features between ever-smokers (current or former smokers) and never-smokers. Results: This study enrolled 250 patients who were diagnosed with CH, of which 152 (60.8%) were ever-smokers and 98 (39.2%) were never-smokers. The age at CH onset was significantly lower in the never-smoker group than in the ever-smoker group [27.1±12.9 years vs. 30.6± 10.9 years (mean±standard deviation), p=0.024]. Seasonal rhythmicity (58.1% vs. 44.7%, p= 0.038) and triptan responsiveness (100% vs. 85.1%, p=0.001) were higher in never-smokers, while other clinical features such as pain severity, duration, attack frequency, and associated autonomic symptoms did not differ significantly between the groups. The male-to-female ratio was markedly higher in ever-smokers (29.4:1) than in never-smokers (1.7:1). Conclusions Most of the clinical features did not differ significantly between patients with a smoking history and never-smokers. However, the age at CH onset, sex ratio, and seasonal rhythmicity were significantly associated with smoking history.