Hack Gun Bae

Hydrothorax from intrathoracic migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter

BACKGROUNDnThe intrathoracic complications of the ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt are very rare. We report an unusual case of VP shunt complication with intrathoracic migration, associated with pleural effusion in a 55-year-old man.nnnMETHODSnWe reviewed the seven cases reported in the literature and the mechanism of shunt-tip migration and preventive measures are presented.nnnRESULTSnThe patient was successfully managed with revision. The catheter was retrieved and replaced in the peritoneal cavity.nnnCONCLUSIONSnWith VP shunting, it is important to keep in mind the possibility of peritoneal shunt-tip migration into the chest. To prevent this kind of complication, we stressed precise location of a subcutaneous tunneling device above the ribs during subcutaneous passage.

Rapid Expansion of Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

We report a series of 10 patients who had a rapid expansion of a hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). It occurred in approximately 3% of 320 patients who sought treatment for HICH during the past 2 years. The site of hemorrhage was the putamen in 6 patients and the thalamus in 4 patients. Neurological deterioration occurred in a mean time of 40 hours after the onset of symptoms (range, 5.5-109 h). Fifty percent of all patients deteriorated within 24 hours. Persistent hypertension was recorded in all patients. Repeat computed tomography showed an increase of hematoma volume that was twice as large in thalamic hemorrhage and about three times as large in putaminal hemorrhage. Six patients died, whereas 3 survived with severe disability and 1 survived with moderate disability. This study indicates that continued or subsequent bleeding can occur in HICH. If those lesions are not detected early and microsurgically evacuated, they are almost always fatal. Early stereotactic evacuation with urokinase irrigation is considered more dangerous than open craniotomy by microsurgical techniques. We stress the need for attention to this problem during the acute phase of HICH.

Postoperative Course and Recurrence of Chronic Subdural Hematoma

OBJECTIVEnChronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is known to have a significant recurrence rate. There are different criteria defining the recurrence of CSDH. We evaluated the postoperative course of CSDH and tried to propose the reasonable criteria of recurrence.nnnMETHODSnWe retrospectively examined the medical records and pre- and postoperative CT scans of 149 consecutive patients who underwent surgery from January 2005 to December 2009. Diagnosis was confirmed by CT scanning or MRI. The postoperative courses were either resolved or recurrent. The resolved CSDH was one of the three types; early resolution, delayed resolution, or late resolution. The recurrent CSDH was one of the four types; recurrence without resolution, early recurrence after resolution, late recurrence after resolution, or recurrent-and-resolved type.nnnRESULTSnThe CSDH was resolved within 30 days after surgery in 58 (39%) patients, between 1 to 3 months in 62 (42%), and after 3 months in 11 (7%) patients. The CSDH was recurred in 18 (12%) patients. Late resolution or recurrence was more common in the aged. The recurrent hematoma was seen on the same side in 11 patients, on the different side in 7 patients. Recurrence was significantly more common in the thick hematomas.nnnCONCLUSIONnFor a working criteria of the recurrence of CSDH, we propose the early recurrence as return of symptoms or reaccumulation of the hematoma after a surgery within 3 months regardless of the location, amount or repeated operations. The late recurrence can be defined as reappearance or enlargement of a liquefied hematoma within the cranial cavity surrounded by the membranes or persistent CSDH beyond 3 months after surgery.

Morphological study of sinus flow in the confluence of sinuses.

The confluence of sinuses (CS; torcular herophili) is represented by the junction of the superior sagittal (SSS), straight (SS), occipital (OS), and two transverse sinuses (TS). The objective of this study was to interpret sinus flow around the CS by morphological investigation of the sinuses. This study is based on visual examination of dural venous sinuses in the region of the CS in 31 adult cadavers. In the inflow zone, we examined the direction of SSS and SS flow. In the communication zone, we examined the extent to which outflow sinuses communicate with other sinuses. In the outflow zone, we used the diameters of outflow sinuses to determine anatomical dominance. The SSS entered the CS via the right TS in 16 cases (51.6%) and via the center of the CS in 14 cases (45.2%). The SS entered via the center of the CS in 18 cases (58.1%) and via the left TS in 11 cases (35.5%). Outflow sinuses communicated freely in 26 cases (83.8%) and communicated partially in five cases (16.2%). Partial communication was the result of a septate CS. In terms of outflow, the right TS was dominant in 11 cases (35.5%), and in 18 cases (58.1%), outflow was symmetrical. The direction of SSS inflow was different from that of SS inflow, and partial communication was observed in five cases (16.1%). Therefore, the presence of a septum may be considered an anatomical factor, with implications in diagnosis or in the sacrifice of the outflow sinus of the CS. Clin. Anat. 21:294–300, 2008.

Neuroepithelial cyst of the lateral ventricle: Clinical features and treatment

This report concerns eight patients with noncolloid neuroepithelial cyst of the lateral ventricle, including four surgical and four conservative cases. Of the surgical patients, two had headache, one had orbital pain, and one had seizures. In the conservative group there were no symptoms due to the cysts and no changes in computed tomography scan during follow-up for an average of 1.4 years. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in five cases and showed a cyst with an intensity similar to cerebrospinal fluid, while a cyst membrane was also detected in three cases. Our findings suggest that (1) the majority of symptomatic neuroepithelial cysts in the lateral ventricle are located in the trigone; (2) the cause of symptoms suggestive of obstruction, such as headache, is an isolated ventricle that demonstrates dilatation of the inferior horn on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging; (3) the operative indication is obstructive symptoms; and (4) cyst-peritoneal shunt is an effective procedure.

Multiple Densities of the Chronic Subdural Hematoma in CT Scans

Objective Density of the chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is variable. It often appears to be mixed density. Multiple densities of cSDH may result from multiple episodes of trauma. We investigated the frequency of mixed density and the causes of head injuries representing each density. Methods We could collect 242 cases of chronic SDH. The cSDHs were classified into four groups; hypodensity, homogeneous isodensity, layered type, and mixed type on the basis of CT scans. Results The density of cSDH was isodense in 115 patients, hypodense in 31 patients, mixed in 79 cases, and layered in 17 cases. The cSDH was on the left side in 115 patients, on the right side in 70 patients, and bilateral in 40 patients. The history of trauma was identifiable in 122 patients. The etiology could be identified in 67.7% of the hypodense hematomas, while it was obscure in 59.5% of the mixed hematomas. Conclusion Mixed density of cSDH results from multiple episodes of trauma, usually in the aged. It is hard to remember all the trivial traumas for the patients with the mixed density cSDHs. Although there were membranes within the mixed density hematomas, burr-holes were usually enough to drain the hematomas.

What Determines the Laterality of the Chronic Subdural Hematoma

OBJECTIVEnChronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) are more common on the left hemisphere than on the right. We verified this left predilection of CSDH and tried to explain the reason for this discrepancy.nnnMETHODSnWe investigated the laterality of CSDH in 182 patients who were treated from January 2005 to December 2009. We examined the symmetry of the cranium and the location of the lesion.nnnRESULTSnCSDH was more common on the left-side. The cranium was symmetric in 63 patients, asymmetric in 119 patients. The asymmetric crania were flat on the right-side in 77 patients, on the left-side in 42 patients. The density of the CSDHs was hypodense in 29 patients, isodense 132 patients, and the others in 21 patients. Bilateral hematomas were more common in the hypodense group. In the right flat crania, the hematoma was more commonly located on the opposite side of the flat side. While in the left flat crania, the hematoma was more common on the same side.nnnCONCLUSIONnCSDHs occurred more frequently on the left side. The anatomical asymmetry of the cranium influences the left predilection of CSDH.

Device for Catheter Placement of External Ventricular Drain

To introduce a new device for catheter placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This device was composed of three portions, T-shaped main body, rectangular pillar having a central hole to insert a catheter and an arm pointing the tragus. The main body has a role to direct a ventricular catheter toward the right or left inner canthus and has a shallow longitudinal opening to connect the rectangular pillar. The arm pointing the tragus is controlled by back and forth movement and turn of the pillar attached to the main body. Between April 2012 and December 2014, 57 emergency EVDs were performed in 52 patients using this device in the operating room. Catheter tip located in the frontal horn in 52 (91.2%), 3rd ventricle in 2 (3.5%) and in the wall of the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle in 3 EVDs (5.2%). Small hemorrhage along to catheter tract occurred in 1 EVD. CSF was well drained through the all EVD catheters. The accuracy of the catheter position and direction using this device were 91% and 100%, respectively. This device for EVD guides to provide an accurate position of catheter tip safely and easily.

A Morphometric Aspect of the Brachial Plexus in the Periclavicular Region

OBJECTIVEnThe purpose of this study was to determine the normal morphometric landmarks of the uniting and dividing points of the brachial plexus (BP) in the periclavicular region to provide useful guidance in surgery of BP injuries.nnnMETHODSnA total of 20 brachial plexuses were obtained from 10 adult, formalin-fixed cadavers. Distances were measured on the basis of the Chassaignac tubercle (CT), and the most lateral margin of the BP (LMBP) crossing the superior and inferior edge of the clavicle.nnnRESULTSnLMBP was located within 25 mm medially from the midpoint in all subjects. In the supraclavicular region, the upper trunk uniting at 21 +/- 7 mm from the CT, separating into divisions at 42 +/- 5 mm from the CT, and dividing at 19 +/- 4 mm from the LMBP crossing the superior edge of the clavicle. In the infraclavicular region, the distance from the inferior edge of the clavicle to the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) origin was 49 +/- 1 mm, to the median nerve origin 57 +/- 7 mm, and the ulnar nerve origin 48 +/- 6 mm. From the lateral margin of the pectoralis minor to the MCN origin the distance averaged 3.3 +/- 10 mm. Mean diameter of the MCN was 4.3 +/- 1.1 mm (range, 2.5-6.0) in males (n = 6), and 3.1 +/- 1.5 mm (range, 1.6-4.0) in females (n = 4).nnnCONCLUSIONnWe hope these data will aid in understanding the anatomy of the BP and in planning surgical treatment in BP injuries.

A Morphometric Study of the Obturator Nerve around the Obturator Foramen

Objective Obturator neuropathy is a rare condition. Many neurosurgeons are unfamiliar with the obturator nerve anatomy. The purpose of this study was to define obturator nerve landmarks around the obturator foramen. Methods Fourteen cadavers were studied bilaterally to measure the distances from the nerve root to relevant anatomical landmarks near the obturator nerve, including the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), the pubic tubercle, the inguinal ligament, the femoral artery, and the adductor longus. Results The obturator nerve exits the obturator foramen and travels infero-medially between the adductors longus and brevis. The median distances from the obturator nerve exit zone (ONEZ) to the ASIS and pubic tubercle were 114 mm and 30 mm, respectively. The median horizontal and vertical distances between the pubic tubercle and the ONEZ were 17 mm and 27 mm, respectively. The shortest median distance from the ONEZ to the inguinal ligament was 19 mm. The median inguinal ligament lengths from the ASIS and the median pubic tubercle to the shortest point were 103 mm and 24 mm, respectively. The median obturator nerve lengths between the ONEZ and the adductor longus and femoral artery were 41 mm and 28 mm, respectively. Conclusion The obturator nerve exits the foramen 17 mm and 27 mm on the horizontal and sagittal planes, respectively, from the pubic tubercle below the pectineus muscle. The shallowest area is approximately one-fifth medially from the inguinal ligament. This study will help improve the accuracy of obturator nerve surgeries to better establish therapeutic plans and decrease complications.