Byung Kwan Choi

Rerupture following endovascular treatment for dissecting aneurysm of distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery with parent artery preservation: retreatment by parent artery occlusion with Guglielmi detachable coils

SummaryDistal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are rare and most cases have been treated surgically by clipping, wrapping or trapping. We recently treated this 20-year-old male patient by an endovascular technique. At first, he was treated by intra-aneurysmal embolisation with parent artery preservation. But he presented with rerupture 1 month after embolisation. Follow-up angiography revealed the regrowth of the aneurysm, which was considered as a dissecting aneurysm. We performed occlusion of the AICA just proximal to the aneurysm to prevent fatal rebleeding. He gradually improved and his level of consciousness fully recovered. At 2 year follow up, he had no neurological deficits. We suggest that embolisation of distal AICA aneurysm with parent artery occlusion may be safe and a simple method in the treatment of distal AICA aneurysms.

Acupuncture for acute postoperative pain after back surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Acupuncture is commonly used as a complimentary treatment for pain management. However, there has been no systematic review summarizing the current evidence concerning the effectiveness of acupuncture for acute postoperative pain after back surgery. This systematic review aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for acute postoperative pain (≤1 week) after back surgery.

Ginsenoside Rg3 induces apoptosis in the U87MG human glioblastoma cell line through the MEK signaling pathway and reactive oxygen species

Ginsenoside is known to have potential cancer-preventive activities. The major active components in red ginseng consist of a variety of ginsenosides including Rg3, Rg5 and Rk1, each of which has different pharmacological activities. Among these, Rg3 has been reported to exert anticancer activities through inhibition of angiogenesis and cell proliferation. However, the effects of Rg3 and its molecular mechanism on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remain unclear. Therefore, it is essential to develop a greater understanding of this novel compound. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Rg3 on a human glioblastoma cell line and its molecular signaling mechanism. The mechanisms of apoptosis by ginsenoside Rg3 were related with the MEK signaling pathway and reactive oxygen species. Our data suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 is a novel agent for the chemotherapy of GBM.

A pragmatic protocol for reduction in the metal artifact and radiation dose in multislice computed tomography of the spine : Cadaveric evaluation after cervical pedicle screw placement

Objective: To assess the correlation between the metal artifact degree and the tube voltage (in peak kilovolts; kVp) and tube current (in milliamperes; mA) in multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) and evaluate the proper protocols for reduction in the metal artifact and the radiation dose. Methods: We performed MDCT examinations for 13 cadavers operated for transpedicular screw insertion from C3 to C7, bilaterally. We used 80, 100, and 120 kVp in all cadavers. For the mA, we arbitrarily applied 100, 150, and 200 in 6 cadavers (experiment 1); 140, 180, and 220 in 4 (experiment 2), and randomly used mAs between 60 and 220 in 3 (experiment 3). The lengths of the artifacts emanating from the anterior and posterior tips of the screw were used for the degree of artifact. Results: In experiment 1, the mA did not significantly affect the metal artifacts (P > 0.05); but the kVp did (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, the mA and kVp did not significantly affect the metal artifact degree (P > 0.05). In experiment 3, the mA did not affect the metal artifacts, but the kVp caused changes in metal artifact degrees (simple quantitative analysis). Conclusions: The proper parameters for the simultaneous reduction in the artifact and radiation dose are suggested to be tube voltages from 100 to 120 kVp and tube currents lower than the generally used values of 200 to 220 mA.

Hemorrhage Rates Associated with Two Methods of Ventriculostomy: External Ventricular Drainage vs. Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Procedure

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion is an essential component of neurosurgical care, but the rates and significance of hemorrhage associated with external ventricular drainage (EVD) and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt procedures have not been well quantified. In this retrospective study, the authors examined the frequencies of hemorrhagic complications associated with EVD and VP shunt procedures, and attempted to identify associated risk factors. The treatment records of 370 EVDs in 276 patients and 102 VP shunts in 96 patients performed between 2008 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Post-insertion computed tomographic (CT) scans were analyzed for any new hemorrhage related to the ventricular catheter. The effects of diagnosis at admission, endovascular treatment, anti-platelet medication, and a concurrent craniotomy operation were included in the analysis conducted to identify risk factors of ventricular catheter-related hemorrhage. Hemorrhage following EVD was detected on CT scans in 76 (20.5%) of the 370 cases. However, symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in only 5 cases (1.4% of all EVDs). VP shunt was associated with a higher incidence of ventricular catheter-related hemorrhage than EVD (hemorrhage rate: 43.1%) and the rate of detectable neurological change was 2.9%. Multivariate logistic-regression analysis of risk factors of EVD-related hemorrhage identified preoperative anti-platelet medication as the only significant factor (odds ratio, 3.583 [95% confidence interval, 1.353 to 9.486]; p = 0.010). Ventriculostomy-related hemorrhagic complications were more common than anticipated, especially for the VP shunt procedure. However, such hemorrhages are rarely large, rarely the cause of neurological deterioration, and rarely require surgical removal. Preoperative anti-platelet medication appears to affect EVD-related hemorrhage development.

C-arm assessment of cervical pedicle screw: screw coaxial fluoroscopy and oblique view.

Study Design. Oblique view and screw coaxial fluoroscopy were used to assess cervical pedicle screw position in human cadaveric spine, results of which were compared with those of direct visual inspection by an anatomist. Objectives. To determine whether clinicians can detect misplaced cervical pedicle screws with accurate sensitivity and specificity using conventional C-arm equipment. Summary of Background Data. In the cervical region, pedicle screws have not been used so popularly as in lumbar or in thoracic regions. The reasons are related to the risk of inserting screw in small pedicle. So far, no method has been studied to assess the position of cervical pedicle screw during the operation. Methods. Ten human cadavers were prepared for this study. Headed and nonheaded pedicle screws were inserted bilaterally from C3–C7. Using C-arm oblique and screw coaxial fluoroscopy, the depth of penetration was recorded in 2-dimension scale (superoinferior and mediolateral direction) by 6 different observers. The vertebrae were all harvested, and the penetration depth was recorded by an anatomist under direct visualization. The accuracy of C-arm measurements was analyzed. The results of nonheaded and headed screws also were compared. Results. A total of 98 pedicle screw positions were finally enrolled into the study. The oblique view can verify screw position with the sensitivity of 86.1% and specificity of 64.5%. Coaxial fluoroscopy had a sensitivity of 89.8% and a specificity of 56.9% in superoinferior direction. Mediolaterally coaxial fluoroscopy had a sensitivity of 70.0% and a specificity of 51.3%. Conclusion. C-arm assessment of pedicle position has acceptable accuracy. With C-arm swing motion of the coaxial fluoroscopy, headed screws were also inspected without any difference as nonheaded screws. Measurements for superoinferior direction showed better sensitivity than those for mediolateral direction, which are supposed to be related to be elliptical shape and thin lateral margin of cervical pedicle.

Crossing Y-stent technique with dual open-cell stents for coiling of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms

OBJECTIVE Double stenting in a Y-configuration is a promising therapeutic option for wide-necked cerebral aneurysms not amenable to reconstruction with a single stent. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of the crossing Y-stent technique for coiling of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. METHODS By collecting clinical and radiological data we evaluated from January 2007 through December 2013, 20 wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. RESULTS Twelve unruptured and eight ruptured aneurysms in 20 patients were treated with crossing Y-stent-assisted coiling. Aneurysm size and neck size ranged from 3.2 to 28.2mm (mean 7.5mm) and from 1.9 to 9.1mm (mean 4.5mm). A Y-configuration was established successfully in all 20 patients. All aneurysms were treated with a pair of Neuroform stents. The immediate angiographic results were total occlusion in 17 aneurysms, residual neck in two, and residual sac in one. Peri-operative morbidity was only 5%. Fifteen of 18 surviving patients underwent follow-up conventional angiography (mean, 10.9 months). The result showed stable occlusion in all 15 aneurysms and asymptomatic in-stent occlusion in one branch artery. At the end of the observation period (mean, 33.5 months), all 12 patients without subarachnoid hemorrhage had excellent clinical outcomes (mRS 0), except one (mRS 2). Of eight patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, four remained symptom free (mRS 0), while the other four had were dependent or dead (mRS score, 3-6). CONCLUSION In this report on 20 patients, crossing Y-stent technique for coiling of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms showed a good technical safety and favorable clinical and angiographic outcome.

Recurrent intracranial germinoma along the endoscopic ventriculostomy tract

The authors report a case of a recurrent intracranial germinoma along the site of an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) after complete local tumor control using 3D conformal radiation therapy. A 13-year-old girl presented with sudden left upward gaze limitation for 4 days. A pineal region tumor and obstructive hydrocephalus were noted on magnetic resonance (MR) images. An ETV and tumor biopsy procedure were performed, which revealed the lesion to be a germinoma. The patients visual symptoms and hydrocephalus disappeared postoperatively. Chemotherapy using cisplatin, etoposide, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide was initiated on postoperative Day 10. An MR image obtained 10 weeks after surgery and 2 weeks after chemotherapy revealed a significant (> 50%) reduction of the lesion. Radiation therapy was administered at 50.4 Gy to the target and 36 Gy to the periphery. Ten months after surgery, an MR image revealed further shrinkage of the tumor mass. One year after surgery, follow-up MR imaging demonstrated a small mass lesion at the entry site of the ETV, measuring 1.0 x 1.4 x 1.5 cm. An operation was performed to remove the small lesion, and pathological findings revealed it to be of the same histology as the primary tumor.

The effect of body mass index on intra-abdominal pressure and blood loss in lumbar spine surgery.

Objective The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and intraoperative blood loss (IBL) during lumbar spinal surgery. Methods Thirty patients scheduled for single level posterior lumbar interbody fusion were allocated equally to a normal group (Group 1, BMI;18.5-22.9 kg/m2), an overweight group (Group 2, BMI; 23-24.9 kg/m2), and an obese group (Group 3, BMI; 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) according to BMI. IAP was measured using a urinary bladder catheter; 1) supine after anesthesia induction, 2) prone at skin incision, 3) prone at the end of surgery. In addition, IBL was also measured in the three groups. Results IAP in the supine position was not significantly different in groups 1, 2, and 3 (2.7 mm Hg, 3.0 mm Hg, and 4.2 mm Hg, respectively) (p=0.258), and IAP in the prone position at incision increased to 7.8 mm Hg, 8.2 mm Hg, and 10.4 mm Hg, respectively, in the three groups, and these intergroup differences were significant, especially for Group 3 (p=0.000). IAP at the end of surgery was slightly lower (7.0 mm Hg, 7.7 mm Hg, and 9.2 mm Hg, respectively). IBLs were not significantly different between the three groups. However, IBLs were found to increase with IAP in the prone position (p=0.022) and BMI (p<0.05). Conclusion These results show that BMI affects IAP in the prone position more than in the supine position during lumbar spinal surgery. In addition, IBLs were found to increase with IAP in the prone position and with BMI. Thus, IBLs can be expected to be higher in morbidly obese patients due to an increased IAP.

Isolated Recurrence of Intracranial Granulocytic Sarcoma Mimicking a Falx Meningioma in Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia

Intracranial granulocytic sarcomas are rare tumors, which are composed of immature granulocytic cells. Although it has been well known that these tumors are associated with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), they have been almost always related to bone marrow relapse. However, isolated recurrence of granulocytic sarcoma following complete remission from prior AML is extremely rare, especially in the central nervous system. A 44-year-old male presented with isolated recurrence of granulocytic sarcoma mimicking a falx meningioma two years after complete remission by allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transfusion (PBSCT) in the acute myelomonoblastic leukemia (FAB, M4). Because of depressed mental state and mass effect, total surgical resection was performed. Pathological findings were compatible with the granulocytic sarcoma. There was no evidence of leukemic relapse in the peripheral blood. We suggest that this phenomenon can be explained by the hypothesis that a certain barrier effect such as blood brain barrier might lead to the proliferation of intracranial leukemic cells which metastasized before PBSCT.