Background: To analyze the outcomes of clipping and coiling for ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) based on data from the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea, with a focus on variations according to region and hospital size. Methods: This study analyzed the one-year mortality rates for patients with RIAs who underwent clipping or coiling in 2018. Coiling was further categorized into non-stent assisted coiling (NSAC) and stent assisted coiling (SAC). Hospitals were classified as tertiary referral general hospitals (TRGHs), general hospitals (GHs), or semi-general hospitals (sGHs) based on size. South Korea’s administrative districts were divided into 15 regions for analysis. Results: In 2018, there were 2,194 (33.1%) clipping procedures (TRGH, 985; GH, 827; sGH, 382) and 4,431 (66.9%) coiling procedures (TRGH, 1,642; GH, 2076; sGH, 713) performed for RIAs treatment. Among hospitals performing more than 20 treatments, the one-year mortality rates following clipping or coiling were 11.2% and 16.0%, respectively, with no significant difference observed. However, there was a significant difference in one-year mortality between NSAC and SAC (14.3% vs. 19.5%, P = 0.034), with clipping also showing significantly lower mortality compared to SAC (P = 0.019). No significant differences in other treatment modalities were observed according to hospital size, but clipping at TRGHs had significantly lower mortality than at GHs (P = 0.042). While no significant correlation was found between the number of treatments and outcomes at GHs, at TRGHs, a higher volume of clipping procedures was significantly associated with lower total mortality (P = 0.023) and mortality after clipping (P = 0.022). Conclusion Using Korea NHIS data, mortality rates for RIAs showed no significant variation by hospital size due to coiling’s prevalence. However, differences in clipping outcomes by hospital size and volume in TRGH highlight the need for national efforts to improve clipping skills and standardization. Additionally, the higher mortality rate with SAC emphasizes the importance of precise indications for its application.

Objective: : To analyze the outcomes of coil embolization (CE) for unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) according to region and hospital size based on National Health Insurance Service data in South Korea. Methods: : The incidence of complications, including intracranial hemorrhage (ICRH) and cerebral infarction (CI), occurring within 3 months and the 1-year mortality rates in UIA patients who underwent CE in 2018 were analyzed. Hospitals were classified as tertiary referral general hospitals (TRGHs), general hospitals (GHs) or semigeneral hospitals (sGHs) according to their size, and the administrative districts of South Korea were divided into 15 regions. Results: : In 2018, 8425 (TRGHs, 4438; GHs, 3617; sGHs, 370) CEs were performed for UIAs. Complications occurred in 5.69% of patients seen at TRGHs, 13.48% at GHs, and 20.45% at sGHs. The complication rate in TRGHs was significantly lower than that in GHs (p=0.039) or sGHs (p=0.005), and that in GHs was significantly lower than that in sGHs (p=0.030). The mortality rates in TRGHs, GHs, and sGHs were 0.81%, 2.16%, and 3.92%, respectively, with no significant difference. Despite no significant difference in the mortality rates, the complication rate significantly increased as the number of CE procedures per hospital decreased (p=0.001; rho=-0.635). Among the hospitals where more than 30 CEs were performed for UIAs, the incidence of CIs (p=0.096, rho=-0.205) and the mortality rates (3 months, p=0.048, rho=-0.243; 1 year, p=0.009, rho=-0.315) significantly decreased as the number of CEs that were performed increased and no significant difference in the incidence of post-CE ICRH was observed. Conclusion : The complication rate in patients who underwent CE for UIA increased as the hospital size and physicians’ experience in conducting CEs decreased. We recommend nationwide quality control policies CEs for UIAs.

The bone and dentin have distinct healing processes. The healing process of bones is regenerative, as newly formed tissues are morphologically and functionally similar to the original bone structures. In contrast, the healing process of dentin is reparative due to its failure to replicate some of its key morphological features. In this review, we compare and contrast the healing processes of bone and dentin. We describe how distinct morphological and physiological structures of the 2 tissues translate into different signaling molecules, growth factors, and matrix protein secretion.

Background: We aimed to analyze outcomes of clipping and coiling in treating unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in elderly patients and to identify the age at which perioperative risk increases based on national cohort data in South Korea. Methods: The incidence of perioperative intracranial hemorrhage (ICRH), perioperative cerebral infarction (CI), mortality, and moderate to severe disability data of the patients who underwent coiling or clipping for UIAs were retrieved. Estimated breakpoint (EBP) was calculated to identify the age at which the risk of treatment increases. Results: A total of 38,207 patients were treated for UIAs. Among these, 22,093 (57.8%) patients underwent coiling and 16,114 (42.2%) patients underwent clipping. The incidence of ICRH, requiring a secondary operation, within 3 months in patients ≥ 65 years that underwent coiling and clipping was 1.13% and 4.81%, respectively, and that of both groups assessed were significantly higher in patients ≥ 75 years (coiling, P = 0.013, relative risk (RR) 1.81; clipping, P = 0.015) than younger patients. The incidence of CI within 3 months in patients aged ≥ 65 was 13.90% and 9.19% in the coiling and clipping groups, respectively. The incidence of CI after coiling in patients aged ≥ 75 years (P < 0.001, RR 1.96) and after clipping in patients aged ≥ 70 years (P < 0.001, RR 1.76) was significantly higher than that in younger patients. The mortality rates within 1 year in patients with perioperative ICRH or CI were 2.41% and 3.39% for coiling and clipping groups, respectively, in patients ≥ 65. These rates increased significantly at age 70 in the coiling group and at age 75 for the clipping group (P = 0.012 and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion The risk of treatment increases with age, and this risk increases dramatically in patients aged ≥ 70 years. Therefore, the treatment decisions in patients aged ≥ 70 years should be made with utmost care.

Background: We aimed to analyze outcomes of clipping and coiling in treating unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in elderly patients and to identify the age at which perioperative risk increases based on national cohort data in South Korea. Methods: The incidence of perioperative intracranial hemorrhage (ICRH), perioperative cerebral infarction (CI), mortality, and moderate to severe disability data of the patients who underwent coiling or clipping for UIAs were retrieved. Estimated breakpoint (EBP) was calculated to identify the age at which the risk of treatment increases. Results: A total of 38,207 patients were treated for UIAs. Among these, 22,093 (57.8%) patients underwent coiling and 16,114 (42.2%) patients underwent clipping. The incidence of ICRH, requiring a secondary operation, within 3 months in patients ≥ 65 years that underwent coiling and clipping was 1.13% and 4.81%, respectively, and that of both groups assessed were significantly higher in patients ≥ 75 years (coiling, P = 0.013, relative risk (RR) 1.81; clipping, P = 0.015) than younger patients. The incidence of CI within 3 months in patients aged ≥ 65 was 13.90% and 9.19% in the coiling and clipping groups, respectively. The incidence of CI after coiling in patients aged ≥ 75 years (P < 0.001, RR 1.96) and after clipping in patients aged ≥ 70 years (P < 0.001, RR 1.76) was significantly higher than that in younger patients. The mortality rates within 1 year in patients with perioperative ICRH or CI were 2.41% and 3.39% for coiling and clipping groups, respectively, in patients ≥ 65. These rates increased significantly at age 70 in the coiling group and at age 75 for the clipping group (P = 0.012 and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion The risk of treatment increases with age, and this risk increases dramatically in patients aged ≥ 70 years. Therefore, the treatment decisions in patients aged ≥ 70 years should be made with utmost care.

To treat congenital heart disease, it is important to understand the anatomical structure correctly. Three-dimensional (3D) printed models of the heart effectively demonstrate the structural features of congenital heart disease. Occasionally, the exact characteristics of complex cardiac malformations are difficult to identify on conventional computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiography, and the use of 3D printed models can help overcome their limitations. Recently, 3D printed models have been used for congenital heart disease education, preoperative simulation, and decision-making processes. In addition, we will pave the way for the development of this technology in the future and discuss various aspects of its use, such as the development of surgical techniques and training of cardiac surgeons.

To treat congenital heart disease, it is important to understand the anatomical structure correctly. Three-dimensional (3D) printed models of the heart effectively demonstrate the structural features of congenital heart disease. Occasionally, the exact characteristics of complex cardiac malformations are difficult to identify on conventional computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiography, and the use of 3D printed models can help overcome their limitations. Recently, 3D printed models have been used for congenital heart disease education, preoperative simulation, and decision-making processes. In addition, we will pave the way for the development of this technology in the future and discuss various aspects of its use, such as the development of surgical techniques and training of cardiac surgeons.

Objective: : To analyze the incidence and treatment trends of hemorrhagic stroke (HS), according to HS subtypes, using nationwide data in Korea from January 2008 to December 2016. Methods: : We used data from the national health-claim database provided by the National Health Insurance Service for 2008–2016 using the International Classification of Diseases. The crude incidence and age-standardized incidence of each disease associated with HS, which included intracranial aneurysm (IA), hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and arteriovenous malformation (AVM), were calculated and additional analysis was conducted according to age and sex. Changes in trends in treatment methods and number of treatments were analyzed for each cerebrovascular disease using the Korean Classification of Diseases procedure codes. Results: : In 2016, the total number of newly diagnosed adult patients with HS was 24169, showing a decrease by 7.0% since 2008; the age-standardized incidence of HS was 46.2 per 100000 person-years. The age-standardized incidence of unruptured IA (UIA) in adults was 71.4 per 100000 person-years—increased by 2.6-fold since 2008—while that of ruptured IA (RIA) was 12.6 per 100000 person-years, which had decreased at a rate of 20.3% since 2008. The number of coil embolization (CE) for UIA increased by 3.4-fold over 9 years and exceeded that of clipping since 2008. With respect to RIA, CE increased by 2.0-fold over 9 years and exceeded that of clipping from 2014. As for spontaneous ICH in adults, the age-standardized incidence was 31.3 per 100000 personyears in 2016—decreased by 34.7% since 2008—and 14.6% of patients diagnosed with ICH were treated in 2016, which was not significantly different from the proportion of patients treated since 2008. The age-standardized incidence of unruptured AVM (UAVM) was 2.0 per 100000 person-year in 2016, while that of ruptured AVM (RAVM) was 2.4 per 100000 person-years in 2016, showing a decreasing rate of 17.2% from 2008. The total number of treated patients with AVM declined since 2014. Conclusion : In Korea, age-related cerebral vascular diseases, such as RIA, ICH, and RAVM, demonstrated a declining trend in agestandardized incidence; meanwhile, UIA and UAVM demonstrated an increased trend in both crude incidence and age-standardized incidence for 9 years. The increase in the elderly population, management of hypertension, and development of diagnostic and endovascular techniques appear to have influenced this trend.

Objective: : To analyze trends in the incidence and treatment of diseases associated with ischemic stroke, namely, cerebral infarction (CI), cerebral arterial stenosis (CASTN), and moyamoya disease (MMD), based on Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data from 2008 to 2016. Methods: : Data was extracted from the national health-claim database provided by the NHIS for 2008–2016 using International Classification of Diseases codes. The crude and age-standardized incidences of each disease (CI, CASTN without a history of CI, and MMD) were calculated; additional analyses were conducted according to age and sex. Trends in the number of patients undergoing treatment according to treatment method were analyzed for each disease using the Korean Classification of Diseases procedure codes. Results: : In 2016, the total number of adults with newly diagnosed CI was 83939, reflecting a 9.4% decrease from that in 2008. The agestandardized incidence of CI in adults was 153.2 per 100000 person-years in 2016, reflecting a 37.2% decrease from that in 2008, while that of CASTN was 167.3 per 100000 person-years in 2016, reflecting a 73.3% increase from that in 2008. Among treated cases, the number of patients who underwent intra-arterial (IA) treatment, including IA fibrinolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, showed the most prominent increase, increasing at an annual rate of 25.8%. For CASTN, the number of cases treated with carotid artery stenting or balloon angioplasty (CAS) showed the most prominent increase, increasing at a rate of 69.8% over the 9-year period. For MMD, the total number of patients with newly diagnosed MMD and that with adult MMD demonstrated significantly increasing trends, while the number of pediatric patients with newly diagnosed MMD declined by 18.0% over the 9-year period. The age-standardized incidences of pediatric and adult MMD in 2016 were 2.4 and 3.4 per 100000 person-years, respectively. Conclusion : Although the incidence of CI showed a declining trend over a 9-year period, the number and proportion of patients treated for CI increased. Meanwhile, the incidence of CASTN and the number of patients treated for CASTN have demonstrated increasing trends since 2008. On the other hand, the number of patients diagnosed with pediatric MMD decreased, despite no significant change in the incidence. In contrast, the number of patients and the incidence of adult MMD increased. These trends reflect changes in the population structure, gains in the accessibility of imaging examinations, and the development of endovascular techniques.