Effects of Oxygen-Derived Free Radicals on Brain Microsomal $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$ Activity

오세문,손영숙,최길수,임정규,정명희,Oh, Sae-Moon,Son, Young-Sook,Choi, Kil-Soo,Lim, Jung-Kyoo,Chung, Myung-Hee The Korean Society of Pharmacology 1982 대한약리학잡지 Vol.18 No.2

중추신경계의 혈관폐쇄 또는 충격손상에 의한 허혈병소에서 진행되는 병리적 변화에 산소유리라디칼이 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 시사되고 있다. 저자는 산소유리라디칼이 뇌조직에 미치는 영향 중 특히 신경세포 정지막전위 유지에 중요한 $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$의 활성도에 미치는 영향을 관찰하기 위하여 산틴산화효소 반응계와 뇌조직미크로좀을 이용하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 미크로좀분획(microsomal fraction)을 산틴과 산틴산화효소와 함께 반응시켰을 때, 분획의 $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$의 활성도는 현저한 불활성화를 보인 반면, $Mg^{++}-ATPase$의 활성도는 별로 영향을 받지 않았다. 이 불활성화는 산틴과 신틴산화효소 중 어느 한 물질이라도 반응계에 존재하지 않는 경우에는 나타나지 않았고, 두 물질이 같이 반응계에 존재할 때 나타났다. 산틴과 산틴산화효소의 반응에서 생성되는 산소유리라디칼들 중, 어떤 것이 $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$불활성화에 관계하고 있는가를 알아보기 위하여, 산수유리라디칼 각각에 대하여 제독작용을 가진 효소나 화학물질을 사용하여 불활성화의 저해유무를 관찰하였다. $O_{\bar{2}}{\cdot}$의 제독효소인 superoxide dismutase, $H_2O_2$의 제독효소인 catalase와 $^1O_2$의 제독물질인 1,4-diazabixyclo(2,2,2)octane을 각각 사용하였을 때, 이들 물질들이 농도에 비례하여 $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$의 불활성화가 저해되었다. 그러나 $OH{\cdot}$의 제독물질인 mannitol은 뚜렷한 효과를 보이지 못했다. 이상의 결과는 산소유리라디칼들 중 $O_{\bar{2}}{\cdot},\;H_2O_2$ 및 $^1O_2$가 $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$의 불활성화에 관계하고 있고, $OH{\cdot}$는 거의 관계하지 않는다는 것을 시사하여 주었다. 이로 미루어, 산소유리라디칼에 의한 뇌조직 $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$의 불활성화는 뇌 허혈병소에서 관찰되는 신경세로의 기능적 장해를 유발시키는 한 요인으로 사료되었다. The effects of xanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction on brain microsomal $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$ activity were studied to see possible involvement of oxygen free radicals in pathologic change occurring in ischemic state of CNS accompanied by cerebral vascular occlusion or impact injury. When microsomal fraction was incubated with xanthine ana xanthine oxidase, $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$ activity of the fraction was markedly inactivated (80% inactivation) whereas btssl $Mg^{++}-ATPase$ was much less sensitive (less than 10% inactivation) compared to that of $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$. The inactivation was observed only in the presence of both xanthine and xanthine oxidase, not either of them alone, and the extent of inactivation was dependent on the concentration of xanthine. In an attempt to determine which of the oxygen species was responsible for the inactivation, the ability of various scavengers to overcome the inactivation was tested. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and 1,4-diazabicyclo(2,2,2)octane were shown to reverse the inactivation of the ATPase in dose-dependent manner. In contrast, mannitol as well as other $OH{\cdot}$quenchers were ineffective in limiting oxygen radical-induced inactivation. Thus $O_{\bar{2}}{\cdot},\;H_2O_2$ and $^1O_2$ were implicated to be mediators involved in the inactivation. Since oxygen radicals are suspected as being a cause of the peroxidative damaging process in train ischemia, the ATPase inactivation by oxygen radicals may be a possible contributing factor which gives rise to functional derangement of nerve cells observed in the pathologic process.

산소유리라디칼이 뇌조직 미크로좀분획의 Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase 활성도에 미치는 영향

오세문(Sae Moon Oh)손영숙(Young Sook Son),최길수(Kil Soo Choi),임정규(Jung Kyoo Lim),정명희(Myung Hee Chung) 대한약리학회 1982 대한약리학잡지 Vol.18 No.2

중추신경계의 혈관폐쇄 또는 충격손상에 의한 허혈병소에서 진행되는 병리적 변화에 산소유리라디칼이 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 시사되고 있다. 저자는 산소유리라디칼이 뇌조직에 미치는 영향 중 특히 신경세포 정지막전위 유지에 중요한 Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase의 활성도에 미치는 영향을 관찰하기 위하여 산틴산화효소 반응계와 뇌조직미크로좀을 이용하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 미크로좀분획(microsomal fraction)을 산틴과 산틴산화효소와 함께 반응시켰을 때, 분획의 Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase의 활성도는 현저한 불활성화를 보인 반면, Mg⁺⁺-ATPase의 활성도는 별로 영향을 받지 않았다. 이 불활성화는 산틴과 신틴산화효소 중 어느 한 물질이라도 반응계에 존재하지 않는 경우에는 나타나지 않았고, 두 물질이 같이 반응계에 존재할 때 나타났다. 산틴과 산틴산화효소의 반응에서 생성되는 산소유리라디칼들 중, 어떤 것이 Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase불활성화에 관계하고 있는가를 알아보기 위하여, 산수유리라디칼 각각에 대하여 제독작용을 가진 효소나 화학물질을 사용하여 불활성화의 저해유무를 관찰하였다. O^-₂⋅의 제독효소인 superoxide dismutase, H₂O₂의 제독효소인 catalase와 ¹O₂의 제독물질인 1,4-diazabixyclo(2,2,2)octane을 각각 사용하였을 때, 이들 물질들이 농도에 비례하여 Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase의 불활성화가 저해되었다. 그러나 OH⋅의 제독물질인 mannitol은 뚜렷한 효과를 보이지 못했다. 이상의 결과는 산소유리라디칼들 중 O^-₂⋅, H₂O₂ 및 ¹O₂가 Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase의 불활성화에 관계하고 있고, OH⋅는 거의 관계하지 않는다는 것을 시사하여 주었다. 이로 미루어, 산소유리라디칼에 의한 뇌조직 Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase의 불활성화는 뇌 허혈병소에서 관찰되는 신경세로의 기능적 장해를 유발시키는 한 요인으로 사료되었다. The effects of xanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction on brain microsomal Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity were studied to see possible involvement of oxygen free radicals in pathologic change occurring in ischemic state of CNS accompanied by cerebral vascular occlusion or impact injury. When microsomal fraction was incubated with xanthine ana xanthine oxidase, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity of the fraction was markedly inactivated (80% inactivation) whereas btssl Mg⁺⁺-ATPase was much less sensitive (less than 10% inactivation) compared to that of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase. The inactivation was observed only in the presence of both xanthine and xanthine oxidase, not either of them alone, and the extent of inactivation was dependent on the concentration of xanthine. In an attempt to determine which of the oxygen species was responsible for the inactivation, the ability of various scavengers to overcome the inactivation was tested. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and 1,4-diazabicyclo(2,2,2)octane were shown to reverse the inactivation of the ATPase in dose-dependent manner. In contrast, mannitol as well as other OH⋅quenchers were ineffective in limiting oxygen radical-induced inactivation. Thus OO^-₂⋅, H₂O₂ and ¹O₂ were implicated to be mediators involved in the inactivation. Since oxygen radicals are suspected as being a cause of the peroxidative damaging process in train ischemia, the ATPase inactivation by oxygen radicals may be a possible contributing factor which gives rise to functional derangement of nerve cells observed in the pathologic process.

소뇌 혈관아세포종 전적출 후 천막상에 발생한 혈관아세포종 - 증 례 보 고 -

김형수,박세혁,조병문,김덕환,오세문,Kim, Hyung Soo,Park, Se-Hyuck,Cho, Byung Moon,Kim, Duck-Hwan,Oh, Sae-Moon 대한신경외과학회 2001 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.30 No.2

Hemangioblastoma is a benign tumor of vascular origin that develops usually in the posterior cranial fossa. We report a case of supratentorial leptomeningeal hemangioblastoma occurring in a 45-year-old man who received total removal of recurrent cerebellar hemangioblastoma four years ago. He was admitted for the evaluation of severe headache and magnetic resonance image showed a well-enhanced, extra-axial mass in the right parietal region. A presumptive diagnosis was meningioma. It was completely removed with the attached dura. Histological examination including immunohistochemical study showed typical findings of hemangioblastoma. It is emphasized that close observation may be necessary for hemangioblastoma, even after total removal.

두개골조기유합증 환자에서 영상소견과 수술소견의 비교

김형수,박세혁,조병문,오세문,Kim, Hyung Soo,Park, Se-Hyuck,Cho, Byung Moon,Oh, Sae-Moon 대한신경외과학회 2001 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.30 No.12

Objective : The purposes of this study are to compare imaging features with operative findings and to determine significance of imaging studies for early detection of craniosynostosis(CS). Methods : Plain radiograph of skull and three-dimensional(3D) CT reconstruction were analyzed in 10 consecutive patients with CS to assess the presence and the extent of synostosis. The radiological findings were investigated and compared with operative findings. Results : The locations of lesion were coronal suture in 6, sagittal suture in 3 and multiple sutures in one patient, and the age ranged 1 to 53 months(mean age : 17.4 months). Reconstructive procedures with or without advancement of supraorbital rim were performed in coronal CS patients and ${\pi}$-procedures or synostectomy were done in sagittal CS patients. Radi-ological abnormalities such as sutural indistinctness or sclerosis, bony ridge, bossing and other bony deformities were nearly consistent with surgical findings. Conclusion : The interpretation of imaging study are very important for early detection of craniosynostosis, especially, the plain radiographs of skull. Also 3D CT imaging is helpful in diagnosis and surgical planing of craniosynostosis. There are no significant differences between imaging features and operative findings in CS patients.

무증상 송과체 낭종의 임상적 양상 및 자기공명영상 소견

임강택,박세혁,신동익,조병문,오세문,황도윤,Lim, Kang-Taek,Park, Se-Hyuck,Shin, Dong-Ik,Cho, Byung Moon,Oh, Sae Moon,Hwang, Do Yun 대한신경외과학회 2000 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.29 No.1

Objective : Asymptomatic cyst of the pineal gland is a common incidental finding in adults on computerized tomography or magnetic resonance image(MRI) or at postmortem examination. This study was conducted to identify MRI findings of the benign pineal cysts and to determine the proper management of asymptomatic pineal cysts. Methods : From January 1995 to March 1999, 13 cases of asymptomatic pineal cysts were diagnosed incidentally on MRI. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 43 years(ranged 8 to 69 years). Five patients were females and eight patients were males. We analyzed the clinical presentations and MRI findings. Results : Clincal features were not related to pineal cysts in all 13 cases included posttraumatic headache in seven cases, headache related to brain tumor in two cases, one of facial palsy, one of diabetic neuropathy, and two of other diseases. MRI demonstrated a well-demarcated mass lesion(mean 1.3cm in diameter) of low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI, performed in 10 cases, demonstrated a rim enhancement. Hydrocephalus was not present in all cases. Follow-up MRI(ranged 12 to 36 months) obtained in 3 of the 13 patients showed stability of cyst size. After symptomatic treatment, presenting symptoms were resolved in all patients and symptom related to pineal cysts have not been developed during follow up period(mean 27 months). Conclusion : The long-term behavior of asymptomatic pineal cysts is still unknown. But we advocate conservative management of these benign pineal cysts that may be developmental variants of normal pineal gland.

신경근 압박증상을 동반한 Tarlov씨 낭종 2예 - 증 례 보 고 -

임강택,조병문,신동익,박세혁,오세문,Lim, Kang-Taek,Cho, Byung Moon,Shin, Dong-Ik,Park, Se-Hyuck,Oh, Sae-Moon 대한신경외과학회 2000 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.29 No.4

Spinal meningeal cyst of the sacrum is uncommon congenital lesion. We experienced two cases of sacral meningeal cyst, so called Tarlov's cyst, who presented with radiating pain. Magnetic resonance imaging is a highly effective way of locating and approximating the size of these entities, which generally appear as intraspinal masses of low intensity on T1-weighted and high intensity on T2-weighted images, similar to cerebrospinal fluid(CSF). We evaluated 2 patients who had Tarlov's cyst diagnosed with conventional MRI. The clinical features, radiological findings, gross appearances of the lesion at surgery, surgical technique, histopathological features of the cyst wall, and surgical outcome are described. We conclude that excellent result can be expected in the case of symptomatic Tarlov's cyst by surgical decompression.

성상세포종에서 혈관내피세포 성장인자의 발현

박세혁,장인복,김창현,조용준,조병문,신동익,오세문,김덕환,남은숙,Park, Se-Hyuck,Chang, In-Bok,Kim, Chang-Hyun,Cho, Young-Jun,Cho, Byung-Moon,Shin, Dong-Ik,Oh, Sae-Moon,Kim, Duk-Whan,Nam, Eun-Sook 대한신경외과학회 2001 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.30 No.6

Objective : Angiogenesis, the proliferation of capillary endothelial cells, is a vital component in the development, progression, and metastasis of many human tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is an endothelial cell-specific mitogen and induces angiogenesis and vascular permeability. The features of glioblastoma, distinct from low grade astrocytomas, are the presence of necroses and vascular endothelial proliferation. In this study, we investigated VEGF expression in the different grades of astrocytomas and determined whether VEGF expression correlates with development of glioblastoma and progression of astrocytomas. Patients and Methods : Forty seven patients with astrocytic tumors(24 males and 23 females), aged 3 to 65 years, were evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out using labelled streptavidin biotin method and primary antibody was a antirabbit polyclonal Ab against N-terminus region of VEGF165(Oncogene research product, MA, USA). Immunoreactivity(IR) was classified into no IR(absent or a trace of stain), moderate IR and intense IR by level of staining amount and intensity. Results : Six pilocytic astrocytomas showed 3 no IR and 3 moderate IR, 10 astrocytomas showed 2 no IR, 6 moderate IR and 2 intense IR, 12 anaplastic astrocytomas showed I no IR, 7 moderate IR and 4 intense IR and 19 glioblastomas showed 1 no IR, 11 moderate IR and 7 intense IR. Immunoreactivity was significantly different between low and high grade of tumors but there was no significant difference between anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas. Gemistocytic tumor cells represented the predominent VEGF-immunoreactive cell types, as compared with compactly-arranged small tumor cells. In glioblastomas VEGF IR was observed in both perinecrotic and vital tumor areas. Conclusion : VEGF seems to be a important angiogenic factor in anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas and VEGF expression may contribute to neovascularization of human astrocytomas.

악성신경교 분화를 보이는 재발성 뇌실외 신경세포종 - 증례보고-

장인복,박세혁,황형식,김덕환,남은숙,조병문,신동익,오세문,Chang, In-Bok,Park, Se-Hyuck,Hwang, Hyung-Sik,Kim, Duck-Hwan,Nam, Eun Sook,Cho, Byung-Moon,Shin, Dong-Ik,Oh, Sae-Moon The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2001 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.30 No.4

37세 남자 환자로 경련발작을 주소로 본원에 내원하였고, 조직검사상 뇌실외 신경세포종으로 진단 받았으며, 방사선 치료를 받고 퇴원하였다. 11년후 언어장애, 우측 편마비를 주소로 다시 내원 하였다. 뇌 전산화 단층촬영과 뇌 자기공명영상에서 좌측 두정엽과 측두엽에 종양 크기의 증가, 뇌부종 및 석회화가 동반된 소견을 보여 종양 절제술을 시행 받았다. 조직검사상에서 1987년 처음 입원 시에는 투명세포질을 가진 작은 원형세포와 원섬유가 풍부하고 가유두상 양상을 보이는 중심 신경세포종으로 진단되었다. 그러나, 1998년 두 번째 조직 검사상에서 대부분의 종양세포는 심한 이형성을 보이는 신경교세포로 구성되었으며, 유사분열, 다형성핵 등이 관찰되었고, 면역염색상 glial fibrillary acidic protein에서 양성을 보였다. 일부에서는 작고 둥근 세포들의 군집이 보였으며, synaptophysin에 양성을 보였다. 중심 신경세포종은 젊은 성인에서 호발하고 주로 측뇌실이나 제 3 뇌실의 몬로공 주위에서 발생하는 비교적 드문 종양으로, 신경교 분화를 보이는 경우는 있으나 악성분화를 보이는 경우와 뇌실외 발생은 드물다. 본 교실에서는 11년전 중심 신경세포 종으로 진단 받은 후 악성 신경교 분화를 보이는 뇌실외 신경세포종을 경험하였기에 보고한다. We present a case of recurrent extraventricular neurocytoma with malignant glial differentiation in left temporoparietal area. A 37-year-old man with presentation of generalized seizure had undergone biopsy of brain tumor in left parietal area in 1987, which revealed extraventricular neurocytoma and radiotherapy was followed. Postoperative course was uneventful until eleven years after biopsy, when he became gradually aphasic and right hemiplegic. Brain CT and MRI revealed enlargement of tumor with peritumoral edema and calcifications. He underwent subtotal tumor removal in 1998. Microscopic examination of second biopsy specimen revealed presence of large areas composed of anaplastic glial cells with frequent mitosis, nuclear pleomorphism, large eosinophilic cytoplasm and eccentric nuclei, resembling gemistocytes, which were strongly immunoreactive to glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) but not to synaptophysin(SNP). Also focal areas of neuronal cells were found, which were immunoreactive to SNP but not to GFAP. These histologic findings imply that this recurred tumor was a high grade, mixed tumor with divergent differentiation of neuronal and astrocyte lineage. We report a rare case of extraventricular cerebral neurocytoma with malignant glial differentiation with review of the literature.

Risk of Seizures after Operative Treatment of Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms

장인복,조병문,신동익,심영보,박세혁,오세문,Chang, In-Bok,Cho, Byung-Moon,Shin, Dong-Ik,Shim, Young-Bo,Park, Se-Hyuck,Oh, Sae-Moon The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2001 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.30 No.6

목 적 : 파열된 뇌동맥류 수술후 경련발작은 잘 알려진 합병증으로 항경련제 치료가 요구된다. 저자들은 뇌동맥류 파열에 의한 지주막하출혈 환자에서 수술후 경련발작의 위험인자를 조사하여 경련발작 치료에 임상적 의의를 비교 하고자 한다. 방 법 : 1990년부터 1996년까지 파열된 뇌동맥류로 개두술을 시행한 321명의 환자중 1년 이상 추적관찰(1~4.6년)하였던 206명을 대상으로 후향적 방법으로 조사하였다. 모든 환자는 수술후 3~18개월 동안 예방적 항경련제 치료를 받았다. 경련발작에 기여하는 요인으로서 연령, 성별, 내원 당시 신경학적 상태, 수술전후 전산화단층촬영소견, Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, 뇌동맥류의 위치, 고혈압의 기왕력, 수술시기, 그리고 지연성 신경학적 결손 등을 조사하여 비교 분석하였다. 통계적 검증분석 방법으로 chi-square test와 Fisher's exact test를 이용하였다. 결 과 : 평균 추적관찰기간은 1.8년으로 206명중 18명이 경련발작 소견을 보여 8.7%의 발생률을 보였다. 연령에서 나이가 적을수록, 파열된 동맥류의 위치가 중뇌동맥인 경우에서 경련발작이 높게 나타났다. 지연성 신경학적 결손을 보인 42명의 환자에서 8명(19%)이 경련발작이 발생하여 높은 통계학적 유의성을 보였다. 또한 고혈압의 기왕력, 수술후 뇌전산화촬영상 뇌경색등도 이와 관련성이 있었고, 수술전후 뇌내혈종의 소견이 관찰되면 또한 경련발작이 높게 발생되었다. 그러나 Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, Glasgow Outcome Scale, 그리고 출혈후 수술의 시기 등은 경련발작의 발생빈도와는 통계학적 유의성을 보이지 않았다. 결 론 : 뇌동맥류 파열에 의한 수술후 경련발작의 위험인자로 낮은 연령, 중뇌동맥류, 지연성 신경학적 결손, 수술후 뇌전산화촬영상 뇌경색소견, 고혈압, 그리고 수술전후 뇌내혈종의 유무 등이 연관되었고, 이러한 경련발작의 유발인자를 인지함으로서 수술후 경련발작에 대한 예방과 치료에 도움을 줄 수가 있으며 이에 대한 전향적 연구가 요구된다. Objective : Postoperative seizure is a well documented complication of aneurysm surgery. The purpose of the present study was to analyze risk factors for postoperative seizure. Methods : Between January 1990 and December 1996, we performed craniotomy for ruptured cerebral aneurysms in 321 patients. Among them 206 patients who could be followed up for more than 1 year(range, 1 to 4.6 years) were enrolled to present study. All patients were treated with anticonvulsants for 3 to 18 months postoperatively. We analyze the incidence of postoperative seizure in different sex and age groups, and risk factors associated with postoperative seizures following aneurysm rupture. For statistical processing chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used. Results : In the follow-up period of 1 to 4.6 years(mean, 1.8 years) postoperative seizure appeared in 18 out of 206 patients(8.7%). Mean latency between the operation and the first seizure was 6 months(range, 3 weeks to 18 months). The age of the patients has significant influence on the risk of seizure, it occurred more often in younger patients(p =0.0014). Aneurysm location in the MCA was associated with a significantly a higher risk of seizure(p = 0.042). Eight patients(19%) out of 42 patients who suffered delayed ischemic neurologic deficit(DID) developed seizure. Delayed ischemic neurologic deficit was associated with significantly a higher risk of seizure(p =0.019). Infarct and hypertension were associated with significantly a higher risk of seizure(p <0.05). pre- or postoperative intracranial hematoma(intracerebral or epidural hematoma) was associated with significantly a higher risk of seizure(p <0.0001). H-H grade, Fisher grade, Glasgow Outcome Scale of patients and timing of operation after subarachnoid hemorrhage had no significant relation with the risk of seizure. Conclusion : Factors associated with the development of postoperative seizure were middle cerebral artery aneurysm, delayed ischemic neurologic deficit, infarct on late postoperative CT scan, hypertension, pre or postoperative intracranial hematoma(intracerebral or epidural hematoma). Identification of the risk factors may be help to focus the antiepileptic drug threapy in cases prone to develop seizures. Prospective evaluation is indicated.

개방성 분쇄 함몰 두개골절의 즉각 골편 복위술

조용준,김영옥,송준호,황장회,김성민,안명수,오세문,안무업,Cho, Yong Jun,Kim, Young Ock,Song, Joon Ho,Hwang, Jang Hoi,Kim, Sung Min,Ahn, Myung Soo,Oh, Sae Moon,Ahn, Moo Eob 대한신경외과학회 2000 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.29 No.5

Objective : The classic and accepted surgical method of compound comminuted depressed skull fractures (FCCD) involves total resection of all the contaminated bone and fragments at the fracture site. A second operation for cranioplasty is then performed at a later date. However, we have believed that primary repair of these bony defects can be achieved by the replacement of bone fragments at the time of the initial debridement, and this can be accomplished without danger to patient. The authors retrospectively reviewed the surgical results to assess the advantages and disadvantages, and also propose the selection criteria of replacement of fractured bone fragments as a primary procedure in FCCD. Materials and Methods : The authors analyzed the data extracted from medical records, and radiological findings in 22 of 71 patients with FCCD, who underwent immediate replacement of fractured bone fragments between April 1993 and October 1998. The mean follow-up period was 13.7 months. The selection criteria for the operation included the patients with mild to moderate severity, regardless of the degree of contamination or dural violation, which presented in hospital within 24 hours of injury. Results : The ages of the patients varied from 4 to 63 years, and there were 20 males and 2 females. Seventeen of 22 patients were fully conscious on admission and the others also had relatively good Glasgow coma scales. Sixteen fractures were located in the frontal area, 9 with involvement of the frontal sinuses, and 6 in the parietal and temporoparietal areas. Of the 22 patients, 8(36.3%) had dural lacerations with 3 of these requiring patching with pericranium, and 12(54.5%) had intracranial hematoma requiring wide craniotomy. The degree of wound contamination was also variable. Fifteen patients had relatively clean wounds, while seven(31.8%) had seriously contaminated wounds with soil, sand, hair, and wood. Only one patient(4.5%) developed infection, and the bone fragments were removed. All wounds healed primarily without pulsatile defect, the skull has remained solid, and no complications have occurred, except the infected case. Conclusion : It is proposed that bone fragments removal for FCCD, regardless of the degree of contamination or dural violation, is not necessary and that primary bone fragments replacement avoids a second operation for cranioplasty.