Seong Rok Han

Extraneural metastases of anaplastic oligodendroglioma

Extraneural metastases from primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors are unusual, and glioblastomas and medulloblastomas constitute the majority of these. That oligodendroglioma frequently seeds within the CNS is well known. However, extraneural metastases of anaplastic oligodendroglioma are rare. We report a 50-year-old woman who developed multiple lung and liver metastases 28 months after resection of a temporal lobe anaplastic oligodendroglioma.

Isolated cerebral mucormycosis.

Isolated cerebral mucoromycosis, without rhino-orbital focus, is an extremely rare but life-threatening infection of central nervous system that most commonly found in intravenous drug abuser. We present a case of isolated cerebral mucormycosis diagnosed by open biopsy and treated with amphotericin B. The patient has returned to independent living.

Anterior Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation: Functional Activation Patterns in a Large Animal Model

BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior thalamic nucleus (ATN) exerts its effects by modulating neural circuits involved in seizures. However, these networks remain incompletely characterized. OBJECTIVE Investigate the effects of ATN DBS on network activity in a large animal model using 3-T fMRI. METHODS Anesthetized swine underwent ATN DBS using stimulation parameters applied in the Stimulation of the Anterior Thalamus for the Treatment of Epilepsy (SANTE) trial. Stimulation amplitude, frequency, and temporal paradigm were varied and the resulting blood oxygen level-dependent signal was measured. RESULTS ATN DBS resulted in activation within temporal, prefrontal, and sensorimotor cortex. An amplitude-dependent increase in cluster volume was observed at 60 Hz and 145 Hz stimulation. CONCLUSION ATN DBS in swine induced parameter-dependent activation in cortical regions including but not limited to the Papez circuit. These findings may hold clinical implications for treatment of epilepsy in patients with temporal or extratemporal seizure foci.

Extracranial metastases of a supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumour.

Extracranial metastases from primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours have rarely been reported in the literature, and glioblastomas and medulloblastomas constitute the majority of these. The tendency of supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNET) to spread within the CNS is well-known, but few cases of extracranial metastases of supratentorial PNET have been reported. We report a 29-year-old man with a supratentorial PNET, which metastasized to his vertebral bodies and lung.

Twelve Contiguous Spinous Process Fracture of Cervico-Thoracic Spine

The clay-shovelers fracture is an isolated avulsion fracture of the lower cervical or upper thoracic spinous process. Among them, multiple spinous process fractures are very rare. We present 34-year-old male patient who have multiple spinous process fractures with twelve contiguous levels of cervico-thoracic spine (from C4 to T8) after motorcycle accident. This case is multiple isolated spinous process fractures with good clinical outcome.

Infiltrating Spinal Angiolipoma

Spinal angiolipomas are rare lesions usually found in the epidural space of the thoracic spine. The infiltrating type of spinal angiolipomas is extremely rare. This report presents the case and reviews the related literature. A 58-year-old man was presented with a 7-month history of progressive weakness and sensory change of lower extremities. Magnetic resonance images showed a well-enhanced mass infiltrating the vertebral foramen at the T4-5 level. Resection of the tumor was performed. Histological study revealed the tumor as an angiolipoma. The patient was relieved from symptoms after tumor resection.

Novalis Radiosurgery of Optic Gliomas in Children: Preliminary Report

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of Novalis radiosurgery (RS) in children with optic gliomas. Methods: Four pediatric patients (1 male and 3 female) were treated for optic gliomas with Novalis RS in our institution between February 2002 and July 2002. Their mean age was 12 (range 5–16) years at presentation for Novalis RS. The mean target dose was 44 (range 41–45) Gy, with a mean fractionation dose of 1.58 (range 1.5–1.65) Gy. Follow-up included magnetic resonance imaging and ophthalmologic and endocrine examinations. Results: The mean follow-up period was 54 (range 50–58) months. During the follow-up period, all patients were alive. Local control of the tumor was obtained in all patients. None of the patients showed clinically relevant morbidity, especially endocrine dysfunction. Conclusions: Novalis RS may be an excellent treatment method for optic gliomas in children. However, long-term follow-up is required for further evaluation of efficacy and potential side effects.

The Efficacy of Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment of Cervical Radicular Pain Patients

Objective Cervical radicular pain is defined as pain arising in the arm caused by irritation of a cervical spinal nerve or its roots. Although many treatment modalities are described in the literature, the available evidence for efficacy is not sufficient to allow definitive conclusions. The goal of this study was to establish the benefits and prognostic factors of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on the adjacent cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of cervical radicular pain patients. Methods A retrospective study of PRF treatment of patients with cervical radicular pain was carried out. Two times diagnostic block of cervical DRG were performed before PRF. PRF was applied for 2 minutes at a setting of 2 Hz and 45 V by two times on the same targets, with the end point being an electrode tip temperature 42℃. Numerical rating scale (NRS) score was evaluated post-treatment 2 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, which were compared with pretreatment value. A successful outcome was defined that NRS change was improved more than 50% at 6 months. Results The mean age was 54 years. The success rate was 68%(15/22) after six months of follow-up. PRF induced complications were not observed. Between success and failure group, we do not find any positive outcome prognostic factor. Interestingly, PRF treatment on foraminal stenosis is better outcome than herniated cervical disc. Conclusion PRF on adjacent cervical DRG is effective and safe treatment option for cervical radicular pain patients. However, more long-term follow up and larger patients are needed to establish effectiveness PRF treatment on cervical radicular pain patients.

Escherichia Coli Subdural Empyema Following Subdural Hygroma in Elderly Patient

Subdural empyema of the brain is an uncommon disorder that occurs more frequently in children than in adult. Authors report a very rare of subdural empyema following the subdural hygroma after mild head injury. The exact mechanism of infection is not known. However, we have to consider subdural infection as one of differential diagnosis in elderly patient with subdural hygroma when new abnormal density lesion is developed in the subdural space.

Efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency medial branch treatment in low back pain patients.

BACKGROUND It was thought that the efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment of the medial branch in patients with lower back pain was not as long lasting as that of continuous radiofrequency (CRF) thermo-coagulation techniques. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy and the long-term effects of PRF treatment of the medial branch in selected low back pain patients. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed patients with lower back pain who underwent PRF treatment on the medial branch at our institute. Pain relief was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) score at pretreatment, 2 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-treatment. Oswestry disability index (ODI) score was evaluated pretreatment and at 2 years post-treatment. We also recorded the satisfaction period after PRF treatment. RESULTS Twenty-three patients were available for the 2-year follow-up analysis. None of the patients had any side effects or procedure-related complications during the follow up period. The average VAS score declined from 7.1 ± 2.4 pre-treatment to 2.9 ± 2.1 2 weeks post-treatment, 2.6 ± 1.8 at 6 months, 2.8 ± 2.1 at 1 year and 3.0 ± 2.5 at 2 years. The average ODI score decreased from 33.6 ± 13.6 pre-treatment to 15.3 ± 5.7 at 2 years post-treatment. Mean satisfaction period after PRF treatment was 16.6 ± 9.43 months. CONCLUSION PRF treatment on the medial branch is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with lower back pain.