Cheol Wan Park

Imaging and analysis of lenticulostriate arteries using 7.0-Tesla magnetic resonance angiography

The purpose of this study was to analyze human lenticulostriate arteries (LSAs) obtained non‐invasively by 7.0‐T MRI. A three‐dimensional time‐of‐flight (3D TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique was used with an investigational 7.0‐T MRI scanner with a radio‐frequency coil that was optimized and designed for angiographic purposes. We obtained images from 16 healthy volunteers (8 males and 8 females, mean age 21 ± 2.7 years). For direct comparison of LSA images with digital subtraction angiography (DSA), we also obtained 7.0‐T MRA and DSA images from one patient, a 27‐year‐old woman with a posterior fossa arteriovenous malformation (AVM). We then analyzed the characteristics of LSAs using a custom data analysis method with MatLab for quantitative analysis. Analysis of LSA images included shape and number of branches and origins, findings that are essential and useful for quantification of LSA abnormalities in both healthy controls and patients. Ultra–high‐field MRA provided clear anatomic delineation of the LSAs, thereby suggesting that 7.0‐T MRA may be a promising technique for microvascular imaging of the LSAs. Magn Reson Med 61:136–144, 2009.

Solitary Ruptured Aneurysm of the Spinal Artery of Adamkiewicz with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to solitary spinal aneurysm is extremely rare. A 45-year-old female patient visited the emergency department with severe headache and back pain. Imaging studies showed cerebral SAH in parietal lobe and spinal SAH in thoracolumbar level. Spinal angiography revealed a small pearl and string-like aneurysm of the Adamkiewicz artery at the T12 level. One month after onset, her back pain aggravated, and follow-up imaging study showed arachnoiditis. Two months after onset, her symptoms improved, and follow-up imaging study showed resolution of SAH. The present case of spinal SAH due to rupture of dissecting aneurysm of the Adamkiewicz artery underwent subsequent spontaneous resolution, indicating that the wait-and-see strategy may provide adequate treatment option.

Association between the daily temperature range and occurrence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective We have observed, anecdotally, that the incidence of primary spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), as well as spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, varies in accordance with seasonality and meteorological conditions. This retrospective single-hospital-based study aimed to determine the seasonality of sICH and the associations, if any, between the occurrence of sICH and meteorological parameters in Incheon city, which is a northwestern area of South Korea. Methods Electronic hospital data on 708 consecutive patients admitted with primary sICH from January 2008 to December 2010 was reviewed. Traumatic and various secondary forms of ICHs were excluded. Average monthly admission numbers of sICH were analyzed, in relation with the local temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and daily temperature range data. The relationships between the daily values of each parameter and daily admission numbers of sICH were investigated using a combination of correlation and time-series analyses. Results No seasonal trend was observed in sICH-related admissions during the study period. Furthermore, no statistically significant correlation was detected between the daily sICH admission numbers and the meteorological parameters of temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity. The daily temperature range tended to correlate with the number of daily sICH-related admissions (p = 0.097). Conclusion This study represents a comprehensive investigation of the association between various meteorological parameters and occurrence of spontaneous ICH. The results suggest that the daily temperature range may influence the risk of sICH.

Resorption of Autogenous Bone Graft in Cranioplasty: Resorption and Reintegration Failure

Objective Re-implantation of autologous skull bone has been known to be difficult because of its propensity for resorption. Moreover, the structural characteristics of the area of the defect cannot tolerate physiologic loading, which is an important factor for graft healing. This paper describes our experiences and results with cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy using autologous bone flaps. Methods In an institutional review, the authors identified 18 patients (11 male and 7 female) in whom autologous cranioplasty was performed after decompressive craniectomy from January 2008 to December 2011. We examined the age, reasons for craniectomy, size of the skull defect, presence of bony resorption, and postoperative complications. Results Postoperative bone resorption occurred in eight cases (44.4%). Among them, two experienced symptomatic breakdown of the autologous bone graft that required a second operation to reconstruct the skull contour using porous polyethylene implant (Medpor®). The incidence of bone resorption was more common in the pediatric group and in those with large cranial defects (>120 cm2). No significant correlation was found with sex, reasons for craniectomy, and cryopreservation period. Conclusion The use of autologous bone flap for reconstruction of a skull defect after decompressive craniectomy is a quick and cost-effective method. But, the resorption rate was greater in children and in patients with large skull defects. As a result, we suggest compressive force of the tightened scalp, young age, large skull defect, the gap between bone flap and bone edge and heat sterilization of autologous bone as risk factors for bone resorption.

Modified Supraorbital Keyhole Approach to Anterior Circulation Aneurysms

Objective To select a surgical approach for aneurysm clipping by comparing 2 approaches. Materials and Methods 204 patients diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage treated by the same neurosurgeon at a single institution from November 2011 to October 2013, 109 underwent surgical clipping. Among these, 40 patients with Hunt and Hess or Fisher grades 2 or lower were selected. Patients were assigned to Group 1 (supraorbital keyhole approach) or Group 2 (modified supraorbital approach). The prognosis according to the difference between the two surgical approaches was retrospectively compared. Results Supraorbital keyhole approach (Group 1) was performed in 20 aneurysms (50%) and modified supraorbital approach (Group 2) was used in 20 aneurysms. Baseline characteristics of patients did not differ significantly between two groups. Total operative time (p = 0.226), early ambulation time (p = 0.755), length of hospital stay (p = 0.784), Glasgow Coma Scale at discharge (p = 0.325), and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores (p = 0.427) did not show statistically significant differences. The amount of intraoperative hemorrhage was significantly lower in the supraorbital keyhole approach (p < 0.05). Conclusion The present series demonstrates the safety and feasibility of the two minimal invasive surgical techniques for clipping the intracranial aneurysms. The modified supraorbital keyhole approach was associated with more hemorrhage than the previous supraorbital keyhole approach, but did not exhibit differences in clinical results, and provided a better surgical view and convenience for surgeons in patients with Hunt and Hess or Fisher grades 2 or lower.

Isolated, Contralateral Trochlear Nerve Palsy Associated with a Ruptured Right Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm

Trochlear nerve palsy associated with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is known to be a rare malady. We report here on a patient who suffered with left trochlear nerve palsy following rupture of a right posterior communicating artery aneurysm. A 56-year-woman visited our emergency department with stuporous mental change. Her Hunt-and-Hess grade was 3 and the Fisher grade was 4. Cerebral angiography revealed a ruptured aneurysm of the right posterior communicating artery. The aneurysm was clipped via a right pterional approach on the day of admission. The patient complained of diplopia when she gazed to the left side, and the ophthalmologist found limited left inferolateral side gazing due to left superior oblique muscle palsy on day 3. Elevated intracranial pressure, intraventricular hemorrhage or a dense clot in the basal cisterns might have caused this trochlear nerve palsy.

Nitinol clip distal migration and resultant popliteo-tibial artery occlusion complicating access closure by the StarClose SE vascular closure system

Lower extremity ischemia following deployment of a vascular closure device for access site closure after a transfemoral endovascular procedure rarely occurs. A 68-year-old woman diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured anterior communicating aneurysm was treated by endovascular coil embolization. The StarClose SE device was deployed for right femoral arteriotomy closure. After 2 days, critical ischemia occurred on her right lower leg due to total occlusion of the popliteo-tibial artery. Emergent surgical embolectomy was performed and the nitinol clip of the StarClose device was captured in the lumen of the tibioperoneal trunk. Although StarClose is an extravascular closure system, intravascular deployment, distal migration, and resultant critical limb ischemia can occur.

The Comparative Study of Microsurgical Cerebral Aneurysm Clip Implants; Titanium Clip vs. Stainless Steel Clip

Objective To perform a comparative study between two groups of populations, titanium (T) group versus stainless steel (S) group, who were clipped with titanium and stainless steel materials, respectively, the incidence of regrowth from the original aneurysms, the clip slippage, and post-clipping seizure attack were analyzed. The patients were followed more than 5 years after microsurgical cerebral aneurysms clipping. Methods Data from 1986 through 2008 were extensively reviewed on a consecutive series of 3,770 patients who referred for ruptured/unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Forty-seven patients in the S group and 48 in the T group who met inclusion criteria, were selected for this study. Results The incidence of regrowth were noted that two out of total 47 patients (4.3%) in the S group, and none in the T group. The clip slippage was not observed in both groups. And there was no statistical difference (p = 0.242) in terms of regrowth between two groups. Seven out of 47 cases (14.9%) developed post-clipping seizure in the S group. On the other hand, two (4.2%) of 48 patients presented the symptom in the T group. Also, there was no significant difference (p = 0.091) between two groups. Conclusions The metallic types of clip employed for the microsurgical cerebral aneurysm clipping does not have any significant clinical outcome differences in this study.