Soon Chan Kwon

Hemorrhagic Lumbar Synovial Cyst

Synovial cysts of the lumbar spine are an uncommon cause of back and radicular pain. These cysts most frequently present as back pain, followed by chronic progressive radiculopathy or gradual onset of symptoms secondary to spinal canal compromise. Although less common, they can also present with acute spinal cord or root compression symptoms. We report of a case in which hemorrhaging into a right L2-3 facet synovial cyst caused an acute onset of back pain and radiculopathy, requiring surgical excision.

RADIATION DOSE REDUCTION TO THE CRITICAL ORGAN WITH BISMUTH SHIELDING DURING ENDOVASCULAR COIL EMBOLISATION FOR CEREBRAL ANEURYSMS

This study evaluated certified dose reduction with bismuth shielding during an endovascular coiling procedure for cerebral aneurysms using a thermoluminescent dosemeter-100 H. A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the study and randomised into two groups (shielding group and unshielded group). In the unshielded group, the total dose-area product was 286.46 Gy cm(2), the fluoroscopy time was 61.57 min and the procedure time was 96.57 min. In the shielding group, those values were 256.36 Gy cm(2), 51.10 min and 91.00 min, respectively. The reductions in the organ-equivalent doses in the right eye, left eye and thyroid were 32.9 % (11.43 mSv), 28.9 % (17.58 mSv) and 68.1 % (20.48 mSv), respectively. The reductions in the relative organ doses were 21.6, 20.8, and 64.4 %, respectively. Bi shielding was feasible and effective for dose reduction during this neurointerventional procedure.

A Double Catheter Technique for Elongated Middle Cerebral Artery Bifurcation Aneurysm: A Case Report

We report a case of an elongated middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm which was managed using an endovascular double catheter technique. After positioning two microcatheters, one at the distal dome and the other at the proximal dome, two coils were subsequently deployed through each microcatheter. We created a proximal supporting coil frame using one microcatheter and preserved the parent artery, and then deposited subsequent packing coils at the distal aneurysm sac region using the other microcatheter. The proximal framing coils did not detach prior to obtaining satisfactory aneurysm packing through the distally positioned microcatheter. This approach allowed for the proximal coil to be withdrawn if there was any evidence of the proximal coil frame changing shape or of parent artery protrusion. This double microcatheter technique provided safe and effective treatment of an elongated middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm.

Feasibility and Safety of Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia in Poor-Grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Prospective Pilot Study

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves the neurological outcome in patients after cardiac arrest and neonatal hypoxic brain injury. We studied the safety and feasibility of mild TH in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) after successful treatment. Patients were allocated randomly to either the TH group (34.5°C) or control group after successful clipping or coil embolization. Eleven patients received TH for 48 hours followed by 48 hours of slow rewarming. Vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), functional outcome, mortality, and safety profiles were compared between groups. We enrolled 22 patients with poor-grade SAH (Hunt & Hess Scale 4, 5 and modified Fisher Scale 3, 4). In the TH group, 10 of 11 (90.9%) patients had a core body temperature of < 36°C for > 95% of the 48-hour treatment period. Fewer patients in the TH than control group (n = 11, each) had symptomatic vasospasms (18.1% vs. 36.4%, respectively) and DCI (36.3% vs. 45.6%, respectively), but these differences were not statistically significant. At 3 months, 54.5% of the TH group had a good-to-moderate functional outcome (0–3 on the modified Rankin Scale [mRS]) compared with 9.0% in the control group (P = 0.089). Mortality at 1 month was 36.3% in the control group compared with 0.0% in the TH group (P = 0.090). Mild TH is feasible and can be safely used in patients with poor-grade SAH. Additionally, it may reduce the risk of vasospasm and DCI, improving the functional outcomes and reducing mortality. A larger randomized controlled trial is warranted.

Retrieval of Distally Migrated Coils with Detachable Intracranial Stent during Coil Embolization of Cerebral Aneurysm

Migration of coils during endovascular procedures is a rare, but well-known complication. We are reporting two cases of successfully retrieving migrated coil using detachable intracranial stent. In both of our cases there was distal migration of coil during the intracranial aneurysm coiling procedure. The Solitaire® AB stent (Covidien, Irvine, CA, USA) was used to retrieve those coils. The stent was passed distal to the migrated coil using standard technique. It was then partially deployed and gradually withdrawn along with the entangled coil. Coil retrieval using the fully retrievable intracranial stent is a very simple, safe and easily available alternative for retrieval of distally migrated coil.

Endovascular Coil Embolization of Distal Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms: Angiographic and Clinical Follow-up Results

Purpose This study is an overview of the clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients who undergo treatment for distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms. Materials and Methods Between January 2009 and March 2012, 444 cerebral aneurysms were treated using endovascular coil embolization at our institute. Among them, 217 aneurysms were followed-up with angiography at least six months later. Of these, there were 16 distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysms in 16 patients. We conducted a retrospective review of clinical and radiological follow-up results of all patients with distal ACA aneurysms. The clinical and angiographic outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and the Raymond classification scale, respectively. Results The mean age was 54.7 ± 10.2 years (41-75 years). The mean follow-up period was 20.6 ± 9.64 months (6-37 months). Three patients presented with acute rupture. The average aneurysm size was 4.98 ± 1.39 mm (3.0-8.1 mm), and eight of 16 aneurysms (50%) had aspect ratios < 2.0. All 16 patients presented with complete obliteration immediately after the procedure. However, two patients had procedure-related complications, one with coil extrusion to the subarachnoid space without hemorrhage and one with thromboembolism subsequent to chemical thrombolysis. In the follow-up angiography, one major and five minor recurrences (for a total of six recurrences, 37.5%) were detected. However, the differences between the ACA aneurysm group and others were not statistically significant. Clinical outcomes were good for all of the patients at the time of discharge (mean mRS: 0.25, 0 to 1) and at the follow-ups (mean mRS: 0). Conclusion Despite a comparatively high recurrence rate, the endovascular treatment of distal anterior cerebral aneurysms is feasible and has a good clinical outcome.

Intraventricular and subarachnoid fat after spinal injury.

The authors report an extremely rare case with intraventricular and subarachnoid fat developed after trauma to spine and soft tissue in a 54-year-old male. The initial computed tomography (CT) showed multiple low attenuation lesions, which were thought to be pneumocephalus. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed lesions with high signal intensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, indicating fat globules within the CSF. In this report, the clinical presentation, radiological findings, and a review of the literature are presented.

Chronic Subdural Hematomas: Comparison between Unilateral and Bilateral Involvement.

Objective Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common intracranial hemorrhage, encountered in neurosurgical practice. Most CSDHs are unilateral, but some show bilateral involvement. However, the clinical characteristics of bilateral CSDH remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the clinical differences between bilateral and unilateral CSDH. Methods A retrospective study was performed on 120 patients with CSDH surgically treated at our institute from January 2008 to December 2012. Patients were divided into two groups: the bilateral CSDH and the unilateral CSDH groups. Clinical presentations, precipitating factors, computed tomography (CT) findings, postoperative complications, and outcomes of patients were analyzed. Results Bilateral CSDH was identified in 11 of 120 (10.9%) patients with CSDH. Patients with bilateral CSDH tended to have a lower rate of head injury compared to patients with unilateral CSDH (36.4% vs. 59.6%), but it had no statistical significance (p=0.201). The frequency of marked midline shift on CT scans was significantly greater in unilateral CSDH than in bilateral CSDH (p=0.010). Presenting symptoms, coexisting systemic diseases, postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion Bilateral CSDH has comparatively similar clinical features and precipitating factors as unilateral CSDH. Patients with bilateral CSDH have significantly lower incidences of midline shift on CT scans, and most patients with either bilateral or unilateral CSDH have good postoperative outcomes.

Delayed Onset of Spinal Subdural Hematoma after Vertebroplasty for Compression Fracture: A Case Report

Vertebroplasty (VP) is a well-known therapeutic modality used to treat pain associated with vertebral compression fractures. Major complications such as cord or root compression, epidural and subdural hematomas (SDH) and pulmonary emboli, occur in less than 1% of patients who undergo VP after compression fracture. Spinal SDH is an extremely rare complication that usually happens a few hours after the procedure. We report a case of spinal SDH that developed at two weeks after a successful VP. We also reviewed related literatures and discussed its possible pathogenesis.

Correlation between Head Trauma and Outcome of Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Objective Our study examined the prognostic factors involved in the outcome of patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) who had undergone burr hole drainage procedures, and investigated the association between outcome and traumatic head injury. In addition, we explored factors related to recurrence. Methods This study enrolled 238 patients with CSDH who had undergone burr hole drainage. Patients with history of head injury were categorized into the head trauma group and were compared with the no head trauma group. Outcome was considered good when modified Rankin Scale scores improved from admission to discharge and the final follow-up. Results Among 238 patients, 127 (53.4%) were included in the head trauma group. One hundred thirty-three (55.9%) patients demonstrated good outcome at discharge, and 171 (71.8%) patients demonstrated good outcome at the final follow-up. None of the factors examined was significantly correlated with good outcome at discharge. However, only history of head injury (p=0.033, odds ratio 0.511, 95% confidence interval 0.277-0.946) was significantly correlated with poor outcome at long-term follow-up. Recurrence occurred in 20 (8.4%) cases in the total cohort and 11 (55%) patients in the head trauma group. Conclusion History of head trauma is correlated with poor outcome at long-term follow-up in CSDH patients having undergone burr hole drainage. Therefore, CSDH patients with history of head injury are susceptible to poor outcome, warranting more careful evaluation and treatment after burr hole drainage.