Objectives: This study examined the changes in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior (K-COMPASS) cohort. Methods: The K-COMPASS is a longitudinal cohort study that started in 2015. The participants included suicide attempters and individuals with suicidal ideation from various hospitals and mental health centers in South Korea. This study compared the sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of 800 participants from the first cohort (2015–2019) with 511 participants from the second and third cohorts (2019–2024). Data were collected through structured interviews and validated scales. Results: The second and third cohort participants were younger, had a higher proportion of females, and exhibited more severe psychiatric symptoms and higher suicidal risk than the first cohort. The prevalence of physical illnesses decreased, while the use of psychiatric medications and the severity of mental health issues increased. In addition, significant sociodemographic changes were observed, such as higher educational levels and urban residency. Conclusion Significant shifts in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions focusing on younger individuals and females to prevent suicide in high-risk groups.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.

Background: Despite a plethora of research on the topic, there is still no solid evidence that pharmacological treatment actually reduces the risk of suicide in patients with mental illness.In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of psychotropic medications on suicidal ideation in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BPD) in two age groups: less than 25 years and 25 years and older. Methods: We analyzed 312 patients with mood disorders with current suicidal thoughts or recent suicide attempts. We followed the participants from baseline for 6 months and assessed changes in suicidal ideation with Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).The effect of psychotropic drug administration on suicidal ideation over time was analyzed using a linear mixed model. Results: In patients aged 25 years and older with mood disorders, suicidal ideation was more severe when using psychotropic drugs than when not using them. However, suicidal ideation decreased rapidly over time. The time-dependent reduction in suicidal ideation was accelerated when using antidepressants and sedatives/hypnotics in adult MDD, and when using mood stabilizers in adult BPD. However, this effect was not observed in participants aged less than 25 years. Conclusion Adequate psychotropic medication may reduce suicidal ideation in patients with mood disorders aged 25 years and older. Additional research on psychotropic drugs is needed to effectively reduce the risk of suicide among children and adolescents with mood disorders.

Objective: : Microscopic microvascular decompression (MVD) has been considered to be a useful treatment modality for medically refractory hemifacial spasm (HFS) and trigeminal neuralgia. But, the advent of the endoscopic era has presented new possibilities to MVD surgery. While the microscope remains a valuable tool, the endoscope offers several advantages with comparable clinical outcomes. Thus, fully endoscopic MVD (E-MVD) could be a reasonable alternative to microscopic MVD. This paper explores the safety and efficacy of the fully E-MVD technique. Methods: : A single-center retrospective study was conducted in 25 patients diagnosed with HFS between September 2019 and July 2023. All surgeries were performed by a single neurosurgeon using the fully E-MVD technique without any assistance of a microscope. The study reviewed intraoperative brainstem auditory evoked potentials and disappearance of the lateral spread response. Outcomes were assessed based on the patients’ clinical status immediately after surgery and at their last follow-up. Complications, including facial palsy, hearing loss, ataxia, dysphagia, palsy of other cranial nerves, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, were also examined. Results: : The most common offending artery was the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) in 15 cases (60.0%), followed by the posterior inferior cerebellar artery in eight cases (32.0%), vertebral artery (VA) in one case (4.0%), tandem lesions involving the AICA and VA in one case (4.0%). Ten patients (40.0%) had pre-operative facial palsy on the ipsilateral side, and eight patients (32.0%) experienced delayed facial palsy on the ipsilateral side, from which they fully recovered by the last follow-up. The median operation time was 105 minutes. All patients were symptom free immediately after surgery and at the last follow-up. One patient experienced a permanent complication, such as high-frequency hearing loss, from which he partially recovered over time. Conclusion : Fully E-MVD demonstrated similar clinical outcomes to microscopic MVD. It offered a similar complication rate, shorter operation time, and a panoramic view with a smaller craniectomy size. Although there is a learning curve associated with fully E-MVD, it presents a viable alternative in the endoscopic era.

Objectives: This study examined the changes in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior (K-COMPASS) cohort. Methods: The K-COMPASS is a longitudinal cohort study that started in 2015. The participants included suicide attempters and individuals with suicidal ideation from various hospitals and mental health centers in South Korea. This study compared the sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of 800 participants from the first cohort (2015–2019) with 511 participants from the second and third cohorts (2019–2024). Data were collected through structured interviews and validated scales. Results: The second and third cohort participants were younger, had a higher proportion of females, and exhibited more severe psychiatric symptoms and higher suicidal risk than the first cohort. The prevalence of physical illnesses decreased, while the use of psychiatric medications and the severity of mental health issues increased. In addition, significant sociodemographic changes were observed, such as higher educational levels and urban residency. Conclusion Significant shifts in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions focusing on younger individuals and females to prevent suicide in high-risk groups.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.