Effectiveness of Anchoring with Balloon Guide Catheter and Stent Retriever in Difficult Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Vessel Occlusion

ObjectiveA distal navigation of a large bore aspiration catheter during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is important. However, delivering a large bore aspiration catheter is difficult to a tortuous or atherosclerotic artery. We report the experience of anchoring with balloon guide catheter (BGC) and stent retriever to facilitate the passage of an aspiration catheter in MT. MethodsWhen navigating an aspiration catheter failed with a conventional co-axial microcatheter delivery, an anchoring technique was used. Two types of anchoring technique were applied to facilitate distal navigation of a large bore aspiration catheter during MT. First, a passage of aspiration catheter was attempted with a proximal BGC anchoring technique. If this technique also failed, another anchoring technique with distal stent retriever was tried. Consecutive patients who underwent MT with an anchoring technique were identified. Details of procedure, radiologic outcomes, and safety variables were evaluated. ResultsA total of 67 patients underwent MT with an anchoring technique. Initial trial of aspiration catheter passage with proximal BGC anchoring technique was successful for 35 patients (52.2%) and the second trial with distal stent retriever anchoring was successful for 32 patients (47.8%). Overall, navigation of a large bore aspiration catheter was successful for all patients (100%) without any procedure related complications. ConclusionOur study showed the usefulness of anchoring technique with proximal BGC and distal stent retriever during MT, especially in those with an unfavorable anatomical structure. This technique could be an alternative option for delivering an of aspiration catheter to a distal location.     

The Evolution of Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society from 2017 to 2020 : The Beginning of a Great Development

Every researcher wants their research to gain more recognition, and this desire is achieved by publishing their article in a journal with higher impact. It is very important to get researchers interested in the Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society (JKNS). Therefore, the first goal was to promote the publication of papers in our journal. To do this, a table of contents was sent out, and the citation ranking was announced every 2 months. Several efforts have been made to publish good papers. Foreign speakers, who were invited to a conference hosted by the Korean Neurosurgical Society were contacted and politely requested to write a paper addressing their recent research. Domestic and international researchers highly renowned in their fields were also contacted to submit their novel works to our journal. The journal impact factor of our journal has continued to rise for the last 3 years and reached 1.376 in 2019. It can be said that the JKNS is now competitive with other international neurosurgery journals. These achievements were not due to the efforts of the editorial boards alone. This was because our society members have submitted very good papers, and because many of our members have cited the papers published in our journal. We believe that this will continue in the future. The next step of evolution of the JKNS has begun, and this is the beginning of another great development.     

Standards for Endovascular Neurosurgical Training and Certification of the Society of Korean Endovascular Neurosurgeons 2013

The need for standard endovascular neurosurgical (ENS) training programs and certification in Korea cannot be overlooked due to the increasing number of ENS specialists and the expanding ENS field. The Society of Korean Endovascular Neurosurgeons (SKEN) Certification Committee has prepared training programs and certification since 2010, and the first certificates were issued in 2013. A task force team (TFT) was organized in August 2010 to develop training programs and certification. TFT members researched programs and systems in other countries to develop a program that best suited Korea. After 2 years, a rough draft of the ENS training and certification regulations were prepared, and the standard training program title was decided. The SKEN Certification Committee made an official announcement about the certification program in March 2013. The final certification regulations comprised three major parts: certified endovascular neurosurgeons (EN), certified ENS institutions, and certified ENS training institutions. Applications have been evaluated and the results were announced in June 2013 as follows: 126 members received EN certification and 55 hospitals became ENS-certified institutions. The SKEN has established standard ENS training programs together with a certification system, and it is expected that they will advance the field of ENS to enhance public health and safety in Korea.     

Clinical Outcomes after Spinal Cord Stimulation According to Pain Characteristics

ObjectiveSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective treatment for chronic neuropathic pain. However, its clinical efficacy in regard to specific types of pain has not been well studied. The primary objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical outcomes of paddle-type SCS according to the type of neuropathic pain. MethodsSeventeen patients who underwent paddle-lead SCS at our hospital were examined. Clinical outcomes were evaluated pre- and postoperatively (3 months, 1 year, and last follow-up) using the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI). The NPSI categorizes pain as superficial, deep, paroxysmal, evoked, or dysesthesia and assess the duration of the pain (pain time score). Changes in NPSI scores were compared with change in Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. ResultsAfter SCS, the pain time score improved by 45% (independent t-test, p=0.0002) and the deep pain score improved by 58% (independent t-test, p=0.001). Improvements in the pain time score significantly correlated with improvements in the VAS score (r=0.667, p=0.003, Spearman correlation). Additionally, the morphine milligram equivalent value was markedly lower after vs. before surgery (~49 mg, pared t-test, p=0.002). No preoperative value was associated with clinical outcome. ConclusionThe NPSI is a useful tool for evaluating the therapeutic effects of SCS. Chronic use of a paddle-type spinal cord stimulation improved the deep pain and the pain time scores.     

Vertebral Artery Dissection: Natural History, Clinical Features and Therapeutic Considerations

When a tear occurs in one of the major cervicocerebral arteries and allows blood to enter the wall of the artery and split its layers, the result is either stenosis or aneurysmal dilatation of the vessel. Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is an infrequent occurrence but is a leading cause of stroke in young and otherwise healthy patients. This article discusses recent developments in understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of VAD and the various clinical manifestations, methods of diagnosis, and approaches to treatment.     

Hemifacial Spasm Caused by a Huge Tentorial Meningioma

A rare case of hemifacial spasm caused by an ipsilateral tentorial meningioma is described. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a huge tumor in the right cerebellar hemisphere, distant to the cerebello-pontine cistern. The facial-vestibulocochlear nerve complex was stretched by the shift of the brainstem and the right cerebello-pontine cistern was effaced. After removing the tumor, the hemifacial spasm resolved completely. We review our case with the pertinent literature regarding the etiological mechanism.     

Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in South Korea in 2006 : A Nationwide Multicenter Survey from the Korean Society of Cerebrovascular Surgery

Objective

There have been no clinical studies regarding the epidemiology and treatment outcome for unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) in South Korea yet. Thus, The Korean Society of Cerebrovascular Surgery (KSCVS) decided to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, and outcome of the treatment of UIA in 2006, using the nationwide multicenter survey in South Korea.

Methods

A total of 1,696 cases were enrolled retrospectively over one year at 48 hospitals. The following data were obtained from all patients : age, sex, presence of symptoms, location and size of the aneurysm, treatment modality, presence of risk factors for stroke, and the postoperative 30-day morbidity and mortality.

Results

The demographic data showed female predominance and peak age of seventh and sixth decades. Supraclinoid internal carotid artery was the most common site of aneurysms with a mean size of 5.6 mm. Eight-hundred-forty-six patients (49.9%) were treated with clipping, 824 (48.6%) with coiling, and 26 with combined method. The choice of the treatment modalities was related to hospital (p = 0.000), age (p = 0.000), presence of symptom (p = 0.003), and location of aneurysm (p = 0.000). The overall 30-day morbidity and mortality were 7.4% and 0.3%, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 0.4% for clipping and 0.2% for coiling, and morbidity was 8.4% for clipping and 6.3% for coiling. Age (p = 0.010), presence of symptoms (p = 0.034), size (p = 0.000) of aneurysm, and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.000) were significant prognostic factors, while treatment modality was not.

Conclusion

This first nation-wide multicenter survey on UIAs demonstrates the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, outcome and the prognostic factors of the treatment of UIAs in South Korea. The 30-day postoperative outcome for UIAs seems to be reasonable morbidity and mortality in South Korea.     

Indications and Surgical Results of Twist-Drill Craniostomy at the Pre-Coronal Point for Symptomatic Chronic Subdural Hematoma Patients

Objective

Twist-drill craniostomy (TDC) with closed-system drainage and burr-hole drainage (BHD) with a closed system are effective treatment options for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The aim of this study was to analyze clinical data and surgical results from symptomatic CSDH patients who underwent TDC with closed-system drainage at the pre-coronal point (PCP).

Methods

We analyzed data for 134 symptomatic CSDH patients who underwent TDC at the PCP with closed-system drainage. We defined the PCP for TDC to be 1 cm anterior to the coronal suture at the level of superior temporal line. TDC at the PCP with closed-system drainage was selected in patients with CSDH that extended beyond the coronal suture, confirmed by preoperative CT scans. Medical records, radiological findings, and clinical performance were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

Of the 134 CSDH patients, 114 (85.1%) showed improved clinical performance and imaging findings after surgery. Catheter failures were seen in two cases (1.4%); the catheters were inserted in the epidural space. Recurrent cases were seen in eight patients (5.6%), and they were improved with a second BHD with a closed-system operation.

Conclusion

TDC at the PCP with closed-system drainage is safe and effective for patients with symptomatic CSDH whose hematomas extend beyond the coronal suture.