Biomedical subjects

Yong Soon Hwang

Publications and source records attributed to Yong Soon Hwang.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Surgical treatment of two patients with infantile spasms in early infancy.

Early surgery for catastrophic epilepsy may prevent developmental deterioration and minimize functional deficit resulting from the surgical procedure. We report two patients who had infantile spasms and underwent surgery for epilepsy in early infancy (younger than 6 months old). Magnetic resonance imaging showed cortical dysplasia in both patients. One patient underwent lesionectomy in the right perirolandic area at 49 weeks conceptional age (CA) and the other infant underwent left temporo-occipital disconnection at 45 weeks CA. Both showed Engel classification I and catch-up developmental progress. However, with the second patient, we were concerned about the high volume transfusion relative to her body weight during the extensive disconnection because of the patient's small blood volume. We discuss the benefits and potential risks of surgical treatment for intractable epilepsy in early infancy.

Cerebral Cortex↗

PubMed2006

Clinical and electroencephalographic features of infantile spasms associated with malformations of cortical development.

The aim of this study was to reveal the clinical and encephalographic (EEG) features of infantile spasms (IS) with malformations of cortical development (MCDs). The clinical features, EEG findings, neuroimaging studies and outcomes of various therapeutic modalities for 27 patients with IS and MCDs were reviewed. Background activities of EEG on the MCDs, i.e. asymmetric hypsarrhythmia, localized persistent polymorphic slowing, asymmetric slowing and diffuse fast activities, were shown in 22, 15, 9 and 2 patients, respectively. Partial epileptiform discharges such as localized paroxysmal fast activities, spindle-shaped fast activities and subclinical seizures were shown in 15, 8 and 10 patients, respectively, and the lateralized prominence of generalized paroxysmal fast activities and generalized sharp and wave discharges in 4 and 5 patients, respectively. MCDs were suspected in 5 patients, as revealed by EEG and/or functional neuroimagings without distinct magnetic resonance imaging lesions, and confirmed by pathologic findings. Of the 11 patients treated with surgical resection, 8 became seizure free. EEG features can be very useful in the identification of underlying cortical dysgenesis in patients with IS. However, in one patient who underwent epilepsy surgery in early infancy, we observed easy bleeding and difficult hemostasis from friable vascular and parenchymal tissues. Various EEG features can be very useful in screening underlying MCDs. In addition, epilepsy surgery can be an effective therapeutic modality in many patients with otherwise medically intractable IS with MCDs. However, surgical intervention in extremely young infants should be performed with caution.

Cerebral Cortex↗

PubMed2005

Effects of methylprednisolone on the neural conduction of the motor evoked potentials in spinal cord injured rats.

Methylprednisolone(MP), a glucocorticoid steroid, has an anti-inflammatory action and seems to inhibit the formation of oxygen free radicals produced during lipid peroxidation in a spinal cord injury(SCI). However, the effects of MP on the functional recovery after a SCI is controversial. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of MP on the recovery of neural conduction following a SCI. A SCI was produced using the NYU spinal cord impactor. A behavioral test was conducted to measure neurological disorders, and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded. According to the behavioral test, using BBB locomotor scaling, MP-treated animals showed improved functional recoveries when compared to saline-treated animals. MEP latencies in the MP-treated group were shortened when compared to those in the control group. Peak amplitudes of MEPs were larger in the MP-treated group than those in the control group. The thresholds of MEPs tended to be lower in the MP-treated group than those in the control group. These results suggest that MP may improve functional recovery after a SCI.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Ossified chronic subdural hematoma.

A relatively rare condition of ossified chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) mimicking cerebral stroke is presented. A 67-year-old man presented with headache, dysphasia, and left-sided hemiparesis. Routine skull x-ray showed a huge calcification extending from the frontal to the parietal regions in the right side. CT and MRI scan revealed a huge ossified SDH covering the right hemisphere. Right frontoparietal craniotomy was performed and the ossified SDH was completely removed. Severe adhesion was noticed between the pia mater and the inner surface of the ossified mass. The subdural mass had ossified hard outer and inner rims and a soft central part. The postoperative course was uneventful and 3 months after the operation, the patient was neurologically intact. The authors report the successful treatment of a patient with a huge ossified SDH covering the right hemisphere. Careful dissection and total removal are needed in such symptomatic cases to avoid cortical injury and to improve results.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Circumferential wrapping and clipping with temporalis fascia for treatment of unclippable intracranial aneurysms.

We utilized a clip-reinforced wrapping technique using temporalis fascia for treating unclippable aneurysms in 14 patients. Herein, we describe a modification of the clip- reinforced wrapping technique and report on the results. An appropriately sized strip of temporalis fascia is passed around the aneurysms with cuts made to accommodate perforating arteries. After applying fibrin glue, the aneurysm clip is positioned to secure the circumferential wrapping. Of the 14 patients, 4 (29%) were unclippable microbleb, 4 (29%) were wall defect, 3 (21%) were imperfect clipping due to the complexity of the aneurysm, 2 (14%) were bleb at the base of the aneurysm and 1 (7%) was a fusiform aneurysm. Multiple aneurysms were found in 6 (43%) patients and half (50%) of the 14 patients had MCA aneurysms. Postoperative angiography demonstrated no narrowing of parent arteries or enlargement of the aneurysms. No subsequent bleeding was observed during the 1 year follow-up period. These results suggest that circumferential wrapping-clipping with temporalis fascia and biological glue provides an alternative and safe method of treatment for unclippable intracranial aneurysms.

Adult↗