The author has studied 125 patients of degenerative spondylolisthesis at the department of Neurosurgery YUMC Severance and Yongdong Severance hospitals from 1975 to Sept. 1986, and also analized the outcome of 72 operated patients. The results were summarized as followings : 1) Male to female ratio was 1 : 3 mean age was 55.5 years old. 2) On L-spine X-ray study, the "Pedicle-Facet angle" between pedicle and inferior articular facet at the slipping level was significantly widened, compared to the angle at the above and below level. It was 113.8 degrees in average at L4-5 level. "Pedicle-Facet angle" and the degree of slipping were in directly proportional relationship(Y=0.51X+107.2, r=0.35). The wider the angle is, the more slipping develops. 3) As the results from the above, etiologic factor of pathogenesis in degenerative spondylolisthesis is considered as that the widening of "Pedicle-Facet angle" had been congenital, is more increased when the severe degenerative change of posterior articulation develops as aging process. 4) The most characteristic symptom was neurogenic intermittent claudication(91.2%). There were few neurological abnormal findings. Common abnormal signs were loss or decrease of ankle reflex(81.6%) and limited backward bending(73.6%). The SLR test, characteristic sign of soft disc herniation, was not significant in this degenerative spondylolisthesis. 5) The degenerative spondylolisthesis developed most frequently at L4-5 level(84%), next at L5-S1(6.4%) and L3-4(4.8%). 6) On L-spine X-ray study, the average extent of displacement was about 7mm, ranging from 5 to 9mm in most cases. The average degree of slipping against the A-P diameter of the vertebral body was about 16%, mostly in the range of 11 to 20%. Almost all the cases(96.8%) fell into Grade I category by Meyerding classification. 7) On myelogram, the finding of complete or incomplete block was present in 71%, and simple indentation of contrast dye column in 29%. Among the patients with incomplete block, the cases in which contrast media passed with lumbar flexion and completely obstructed with extension, compared 53.3%. 8) Spine CT myelography was most important in the diagnosis of the stenosis of spinal canal, the degree of disc herniation, and the cauda equina compression. 9) The commonest findings on spine CT scan were pseudoherniation of disc and lumbar spinal stenosis. And vacuum facet phenomenon(57.3), hypertrophy of facet joint(50.8%), and osteophyte formation(49.1%) were also found. 10) The prefered method of operation was wide decompressive laminectomy of the adjacent vertebrae at slipping level, medial facetectomy and foraminotomy. And in most cases, vertebral interbody fusion was not needed(90.3%). 11) There were 4 cases(5.6%) of further slipping following laminectomy, and anterior interbody fusion were performed in two of them. 12) The results of surgery were Good to Excellent in 88.9% and Fair to poor in 11.1%.
Aging ; Ankle ; Cauda Equina ; Classification ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Foraminotomy ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Laminectomy ; Male ; Myelography ; Neurosurgery ; Osteophyte ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vacuum

We experienced a case of primary hepatic actinomycosis which was initially diagnosed by means of fine needle aspiration. The patient was a 31-year-old emaciated man with a 2-month history of 10 kg weight loss, right upper quadrant pain and flank pain. The liver was palpable and tender on physical examination. Computerized tomography scan of the liver showed two ill-defined hypodense masses in gallbladder fossa and inferior pole of right lobe. Hepatocellular carcinoma was clinically suspected. A CT-guided fine needle aspiration was performed. Microscopically, smears showed numerous radiating clusters of filamentous bacteria with many neutrophils and monocytes in necrotic background. The symptoms were improved by incision and drainage and massive administration of penicillin.
Actinomycosis ; Adult ; Bacteria ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diverticulum* ; Drainage ; Fibroadenoma ; Flank Pain ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Infarction ; Liver ; Monocytes ; Neutrophils ; Penicillins ; Physical Examination ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux* ; Weight Loss

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are modern imaging techniques that allow for both qualitative and quantitative assessment of hemodynamic changes in cerebrovascular diseases. SPECT has been becoming an indispensable method to investigate regional cerebral blood flow because equipment and isotope are easily available in most general hospitals. Acetazolamide stress SPECT has also been proved to be useful to evaluate the cerebrovascular reserve of occlusive cerebrovascular diseases and to select surgical candidate. PET has gained wide spread clinical use in the evaluation of the hemodynamic and metabolic consequences of extracranial or intracranial arterial obstructive disease despite its complexity and limited availability. PET has been established as an invaluable tool in the pathophysilogy investigation of acute ischemic stroke. The potentials, limitations, and clinical applications of SPECT and PET in various cerebrovascular diseases will be discussed in this article with reviews of literatures.
Acetazolamide ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; Hemodynamics ; Hospitals, General ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Stroke ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

Fibrous dysplasia in the orbit and cranial base may involve the optic canal. Although fibrous dysplasia is benign, it may produce a mass effect along the course of the optic nerve which can then induce visual disturbance as well as contour deformities of the skull and facial bone. The treatment of fibrous dysplasia in the orbit and cranial base is to resect the lesion as much as possible and then reconstruct immediately. As well, if there is any evidence of optic canal involvement and disease progression, the treatment of fibrous dysplasia may include optic nerve decompression. It is generally understood that some patients experience improvement of visual function after optic nerve decompression. We performed radical excision and reconstruction by means of autogenous calvarial bone graft and methylmethacrylate in 7 cases. The autogenous calvarial bone was used to reconstruct the orbit. The methylmethacrylate was used to reconstruct bony defect in the temporal area. The orbit was reconstruced into one block which was made of autogenous calvarial bone with a microplate and screw. This method is superior compared to the previous multifragment wiring method with regard to stability, operation time, and appearance. The patients in our series showed satisfactory appearance. In 6 cases, we performed optic nerve decompression. Therapeutic optic nerve decompression was done in 3 cases and prophylatic optic nerve decompression was done in the others. Following therapeutic optic nerve decompression, visual acuity was improved in 2 cases while the others showed a decrease in visual acuity. There was no change of visual acuity and visual field in 1 case after prophylactic optic nerve decompression. However, the others showed decrements in visual acuity or visual field. Therefore, we believe that more attention should be paid during optic nerve decompression procedure and strict indications to that procedure should be applied.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Decompression* ; Disease Progression ; Facial Bones ; Humans ; Methylmethacrylate ; Optic Nerve ; Orbit* ; Skull ; Skull Base* ; Transplants ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields

OBJECTIVE: Although anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the standard treatment for degenerative cervical disc disease, concerns regarding adjacent level degeneration and loss of motion have suggested that arthroplasty may be a better alternative. We have compared clinical and radiological results in patients with cervical disc herniations treated with arthroplasty and ACDF. METHODS: We evaluated 53 patients treated for cervical disc herniations with radiculopathy, 21 of whom underwent arthroplasty and 32 of whom underwent ACDF. Clinical results included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for upper extremity radiculopathy, neck disability index (NDI), duration of hospital stay and convalescence time. All patients were assessed radiologically by measuring cervical lordosis, segmental lordosis and segmental range-of-movement (ROM) of operated and adjacent disc levels. RESULTS: Mean hospital stay (5.62 vs. 6.26 days, p<0.05) and interval between surgery and return to work (1.10 vs. 2.92 weeks, p<0.05) were significantly shorter in the arthroplasty than in the fusion group. Mean NDI and extremity VAS score improved after 12 months in both groups. Although it was not significant, segmental ROM of adjacent levels was higher in the fusion group than in the arthroplasty group. And, segmental motion of operated levels in arthroplasty group maintained more than preoperative value at last follow up. CONCLUSION: Although clinical results were similar in the two groups, postoperative recovery was significantly shorter in the arthroplasty group. Although it was not significant, ROM of adjacent segments was less in the arthroplasty group. Motion of operated levels in arthroplasty group was preserved at last follow up.
Animals ; Arthroplasty ; Convalescence ; Diskectomy ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lordosis ; Neck ; Radiculopathy ; Return to Work ; Upper Extremity

OBJECTIVE: The indications and optimal surgical treatments for intracranial cysts are controversial. In the present study, we describe long-term clinical and neuroimaging results of surgically treated intracranial cysts in children. The goal of this study is to contribute to the discussion of the debate. METHODS: This study included 110 pediatric patients that underwent surgeries to treat intracranial cysts. Endoscopic cyst fenestrations were performed in 71 cases, while craniotomies and cyst excisions (with or without fenestrations) were performed in 30 patients. Cystoperitoneal shunts were necessary for nine patients. Long-term results were retrospectively assessed with medical and neuroimaging records. RESULTS: Clinical and radiological improvement was reported in 87.3% and 92.8% of cases, respectively, after endoscopic neurosurgery, and in 93.3% and 100% using open microsurgery whereas 88.9% and 85.7% after shunt operation. There were no statistical differences in clinical outcomes (p=0.710) or volume reductions (p=0.177) among the different surgeries. There were no mortalities or permanent morbidities, but complications such as shunt malfunctions, infections, and subdural hematomas were observed in 56% of the patients that had shunt operations. A total of 13 patients (11.8%) underwent additional surgeries due to recurrences or treatment failures. The type of surgery performed did not influence the recurrence rate (p=0.662) or the failure rate (p=0.247). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic neurosurgeries are less invasive than microsurgeries and are at least as effective as open surgeries. Thus, given the advantages and complications of these surgical techniques, we suggest that endoscopic fenestration should be the first treatment attempted in children with intracranial cysts.
Arachnoid Cysts ; Central Nervous System Cysts ; Child ; Craniotomy ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Humans ; Microsurgery ; Neuroendoscopy ; Neuroimaging ; Neurosurgery ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Failure

No abstract available.
Ependymoma*

A retrospective study of 29 cases of brain-stem gliomas(BSG's) from 1989 to 1993, was performed to determine prognostic factors. Our study also analyzed clinical features, growth patterns, pathologic findings and modalities of treatment in patients with brain-stem gliomas. The patients ranged in age from 6 to 65 years, most commonly in the first decade. The symptom duration prior to diagnosis was 1/2 to 6 months(mean 1 1/2 months). The most common symptom and sign were cranial nerve palsies, especially 6th or 7th cranial nerve. The growth patterns of BSG's were classified into diffuse tumors(7 patients), exophytic(9 patients), focal(2 patients) and cervicomedullary(1 patient). Twenty three of 29 patients were diagnosed pathologically by means of stereotactic biopsy(13 patients) and ope surgery(10 patients). The Pathologic findings were low grade astrocytoma in 9 patients, oligodendroglioma(3 patients), malignant astrocytoma(7 patients), and glioblastoma mulitiforme(4 patients). A significant correlation between diffuse growth pattern and malignant pathologic finding could be obtained(P=0.05). The methods of radiation therapy for BSG's were conventional(10 patients), hyperfractionated(13 patients), and Gamma knife radiosurgery(6 patients). The median survival time was 12 months. The Poor prognostic factors determined in our study were 1) short symptom duration prior to diagnosis(< or = 2 months), 2) diffuse growth pattern, 3) malignant pathologic finding, 4) tumor without cystic portion, and 5) tumor without hydrocephalus.
Astrocytoma ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Cranial Nerves ; Diagnosis ; Glioblastoma ; Glioma ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pathology* ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies

Gliomas are the most common pediatric tumors of the central nervous system. In this review, we discuss the clinical features, treatment paradigms, and evolving concepts related to two types of pediatric gliomas affecting two main locations: the optic pathway and thalamus. In particular, we discuss recently revised pathologic classification, which adopting molecular parameter. We believe that our review contribute to the readers' better understanding of pediatric glioma because pediatric glioma differs in many ways from adult glioma according to the newest advances in molecular characterization of this tumor. A better understanding of current and evolving issues in pediatric glioma is needed to ensure effective management decision.
Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System ; Classification ; Glioma ; Humans ; Optic Tract ; Pediatrics ; Thalamus ; Treatment Outcome

Background: Lymph node fine-needle aspiration (LN FNA) cytology indicates necrosis in various diseases. Dominant necrotic features make the diagnosis of underlying conditions very difficult. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 460 patients who underwent cervical LN aspiration cytology that revealed necrotic findings at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital in Daegu, Korea, from 2003–2017. Each specimen was evaluated and analyzed in association with the clinical findings, biopsy findings, and/or other ancillary tests, including acid-fast bacilli staining and molecular testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: When necrotic features were noted upon cervical LN FNA cytology, the most common pathologic LN FNA category was necrosis alone (31.5%). The second most common category was granulomatous inflammation (31.3%), followed by Kikuchi disease (20.0%) and malignant neoplasm (8.7%). In cases where the cervical LN FNA revealed necrosis alone, the most common final diagnosis was tuberculosis. In young patients, Kikuchi disease should be considered as one cervical LN FNA category, while metastatic carcinoma should be suspected in older patients. Conclusions Even when necrosis alone is observed in LN FNA cytology, it is important to determine the cause through further evaluation.