Acoustic neuroma is one of the most common tumors of the posterior cranial fossa. Its removal is always a challenge for the neurosurgeon and the patient. The history of surgery for acoustic neuromas is inextricably linked with the history of neurosurgery in general. The modern surgical community must know history and be able to use it. Only then will the development of surgery lead to the preservation of the quality of life of patients. In the history of surgery for acoustic neuromas, the stages of its development are clearly visible from the description of the clinical picture through the study of the anatomy of the cerebellopontine angle to modern microsurgical removal.

INTRODUCTION:Cortical blindness occurs with bilateral damage to the visual cortex. It can be caused by various reasons, including the posterior cerebral arteries stroke due to the tentorial herniation. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A case of a 40-year-old patient with a large right-sided sphenoidal meningioma. A systematic review on the problem of cortical blindness after tentorial herniation according to the PRISMA guideline. RESULTS:Subtotal removal of dense meningioma. At night after the operation, there was an acute headache, then a coma. Immediately dehydration therapy, tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation. CT scan showed a small hemorrhage in the tumor bed and subarachnoid space, brain edema and dislocation. After 53 minutes, ventricular drainage was installed, intracranial pressure was normal and ranged from 6 to 14 mmHg. After sedation withdrawal, cortical blindness was detected, which did not regress for 1.5 years. There are no other neurological symptoms, the patient walks, serves herself. Radiation therapy in a total of 54 Gy for the remainder of the grade 1 meningioma ensured tumor control. DISCUSSION:The time window for restoration of the cerebral blood flow, according to the European Stroke Organization guidelines, is 4.5 hours. In this case, compression of the posterior cerebral arteries lasted less than 53 minutes, however, irreversible ischemia developed in their territory; the outcome on the modified Rankine scale was 4 points. Similar cases are not described in the literature. CONCLUSION:Patients should be warned about even the non-obvious risks of neurosurgical intervention, since even timely measures taken do not always avoid complications.

There are various approaches to the treatment of patients with parasagittal meningiomas.OBJECTIVE:To optimize treatment strategy for meningiomas invading the superior sagittal sinus.MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study included 87 patients with benign parasagittal meningiomas between 2010 and 2012. Of these, 34 patients underwent surgery alone, 27 - radiotherapy, 26 - surgery and subsequent radiotherapy. Both groups were comparable in male-to-female ratio, age and localization of tumors in relation to superior sagittal sinus. The follow-up period was at least 5 years. We analyzed the effect of treatment on neurological status, Karnofsky score and tumor growth control.RESULTS:Mean volume of tumors was 43.3 cm3 in patients undergoing surgery and 6.7 cm3 in the radiotherapy group. In the combined treatment group, mean volume was 65.8 cm3 before surgery and 8.8 cm3 before irradiation. General cerebral symptoms (84%), epileptic seizures (37%) and movement disorders (31%) prevailed. Surgery provided the best results in patients with small meningiomas (<14 cm3) causing focal neurological symptoms. Isolated radiotherapy was the most effective in asymptomatic patients. Large tumors required surgery with adjuvant irradiation.CONCLUSION:Benign parasagittal meningiomas followed by focal neurological symptoms require surgical intervention regarding the best functional outcomes and tumor growth control. Radiotherapy without surgery is advisable for progressive asymptomatic tumors. Resection followed by irradiation is preferable if total resection without the risk of damage to veins and cortex is impossible.

With cranial base neoplasms, the trigeminal nerve's function can often be disrupted, which is accompanied by both symptoms of insufficiency and irritation phenomena, including chronic neuropathic facial pain. In this situation, the problems of diagnosis and treatment are due to the complexity of the topographic structure of the mentioned anatomical region and various pathogenetic mechanisms for the development of pain syndrome. Thus, this issue is an interdisciplinary problem. A single approach to the treatment of such patients has not been developed yet. Material and methods. A selection of publications was made in the PubMed, Сochrane library and eLibrary systems using the following keywords: neuropathic facial pain, skull base tumors, trigeminal and cancer pain, facial pain and cancer/tumor, pain and depression, neuropathic facial pain, trigeminal neuropathy. Publications with a high degree of evidence were not found. 42 out of the 112 papers were selected as the most relevant. Results and discussion. Trigeminal neuropathic pain syndrome develops in about 5 % of patients with skull base tumors.Remaining after treatment (surgical or radiological), it dictates the need for the prescription of symptomatic therapy, taking into account the pathogenesis of the pathological process. The efficacy of drugs widely used for neuropathic pain in this category of patients has not been studied extensively. Conclusion. In the analyzed literature, it was not possible to find a unified approach to the management of such patients. As a rule, the authors offer well-established methods of conservative therapy used in the treatment of neuropathic facial pain as such, regardless of the mechanism of its occurrence. The question of the tactics of treating such pain caused by tumor lesions of the skull base remains unresolved.

BACKGROUND:Delta-He the difference between hemoglobin content in reticulocytes and erytrocytes is a relatively new laboratory indicator that is easily measured in everyday practice. This parameter is directly related to iron bioavailability for hemoglobin synthesis and can reflect various conditions accompanied by cytokine expression including systemic inflammation.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the prospects for practical application of hemoglobin delta in assessment of neurosurgical patients throughout in-hospital treatment.MATERIAL AND METHODS:We analyzed complete blood counts (Sysmex XN-1000 analyzer) with optical determination of reticulocyte hemoglobin and automatic calculation of Delta-He in 82 neurosurgical patients. Exclusion criteria were severe decompensated comorbidities, exacerbation of chronic infectious processes, cancer of other organs. Blood sampling for analysis of delta-hemoglobin was carried out before all diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Reference interval is indicated by the analyzer manufacturer as 1.7-4.4 pg.RESULTS:Delta-He values at admission ranged from -1.8 to 6.1 pg. There was a consistent decrease of these values throughout 3-4 postoperative days. Then, the values could increase or continued to decrease. Increment of the index was noted in 76 patients (92.7%). Such dynamics was observed in case of uncomplicated postoperative period. Further decrease of Delta-He was observed in 6 patients (7.3%). These ones were characterized by a longer recovery after surgery, and the events required additional medical or surgical correction were recorded. Negative dynamics of Delta-He values could precede clinical manifestations of certain complication. Clarification of diagnosis and correction of therapy were accompanied by gradual increase of Delta-He values.CONCLUSION:Estimation of Delta-He values over time can be used for monitoring of patients and effectiveness of therapy. From a practical point of view, it is important that examination can be performed at any time of the day.

Работа посвящена изучению одной из самых сложных для лечения групп опухолей основания черепа — срединных менингиом передних отделов основания черепа, распространяющихся в полость носа и околоносовые пазухи, а также в ряде случаев в глазницу (срединные краниофациальные менингиомы). Вопрос об оптимальной тактике лечения таких опухолей остается предметом дискуссий. В современной литературе отсутствует сформулированная концепция подходов к хирургическому и комбинированному лечению срединных краниофациальных менингиом. ЦЕЛЬ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ Анализ результатов одноцентрового исследования, включающего пациентов с доброкачественными (WHO grade I/II) срединными краниофациальными менингиомами, которые прошли хирургическое или комбинированное лечение, а также разработка рекомендаций по тактике лечения на основании этого анализа. МАТЕРИАЛ И МЕТОДЫ Проанализированы данные 125 пациентов (89 женщин и 36 мужчин), прошедших хирургическое лечение. Катамнестические данные доступны у 90 пациентов. Из них хирургическое лечение было проведено у 53 пациентов, комбинированное — у 37. Для хирургического удаления применяли субфронтальные доступы и доступ через лобную пазуху (50,4%), эндоскопический эндоназальный (16,8%) и др. В большинстве случаев облучение проводили в режиме стереотаксической лучевой терапии со стандартным фракционированием. Выполнен анализ результатов и исходов лечения пациентов в раннем и отдаленном послеоперационном периодах. РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ Всего было удалено радикально 34 (27,2%) опухоли, интракраниальный узел был удален у 29 (23,2%) пациентов, экстракраниальный — у 48 (38,4%), оба узла без резекции основания черепа — у 14 (11,2%) пациентов. Улучшение отмечено у 79 (63,2%) пациентов, изменений в состоянии у 29 (27,2%) не наблюдали, ухудшение было зафиксировано у 11 (8,8%) пациентов, один (0,8%) больной скончался. Послеоперационные осложнения (58 случаев) были зафиксированы у 32 (25,6%) пациентов. Контроль роста был достигнут в 65,5% наблюдений, прогрессирование опухоли — в 23,3%. Летальные исходы были зафиксированы в 10 (11,1%) случаях. Поздние осложнения (23 случая) развились у 15 (16,7%) пациентов. ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ Результаты исследования показали, что анализируемая группа пациентов представляет особую сложность в связи с высокой частотой осложнений и рецидивирования, развивающихся после лечения у этой когорты. Все это обусловливает необходимость выявления факторов, влияющих на прогноз, и создания алгоритмов лечения на основе анализа полученных данных.

There are no literature data on brainstem arachnoid cysts in humans.OBJECTIVE:To describe the clinical case of brainstem (pontomesencephalic) arachnoid cyst and to analyze classification, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis and treatment of this pathology considering literature data and own experience.MATERIAL AND METHODS:A 29-year-old patient with pontomesencephalic arachnoid cyst is reported. The disease manifested in childhood with a headache aggravated by bending and pushing. Later, syncope, vegetative-visceral paroxysms, mild oculomotor disturbances, transient paresthesia and numbness of the left half of the face occurred. Headaches became significantly more severe and resulted nausea and vomiting. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a two-chambered arachnoid cyst. A smaller chamber was localized in interpeduncular cistern, a larger one - in brainstem.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:Differential diagnosis included cystic glioma and Virchow-Robin space enlargement. Fenestration of the cyst wall within interpeduncular cistern was performed via right-sided pterional approach. The diagnosis was verified by histological examination. The follow-up period was 14 months. We observed postoperative cyst reduction confirmed by MR data and regression of all symptoms except for minimal signs of medial longitudinal fasciculus dysfunction.CONCLUSION:Correct surgical approach for brainstem arachnoid cyst complicated by progressive neurological deterioration is confirmed by postoperative regression of cyst and symptoms.

RATIONALE:When removing the meningiomas of the sellar region, there is always a risk of visual impairment for various reasons, in particular, as a result of traction damage to the optic nerve. Decompression of the optic canal increases nerve mobility during tumor manipulation. In cases of meningioma growing into the canal, its decompression often seems necessary.AIM:Evaluation of the effectiveness and risks of performing decompression of the optic canal.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The study included patients with meningiomas of the parasellar location, who underwent surgical treatment at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Center for the period from 2001 to 2017. They were divided into two groups - main and control. The main group consisted of 129 patients who underwent decompression of the optic nerve canals when the tumor was removed. The tumor matrix in this group was most often located in the region of the tuberum sellae, supradiaphragmally, in the region of the anterior clinoid process and the optic canal. In 31 cases, decompression was bilateral - during one operation and using one access in 27 patients; in 4 cases, the decompression of the second canal was delayed for 1.5-3 months after the first operation. 160 decompressions were performed by the intradural and 7 - by extradural methods. During intradural decompression, the roof of the optic canal was resected, and during extradural decompression, the lateral wall of the canal was trephined. The control group consisted of 308 patients who did not undergo canal decompression when the tumor was removed. It included meningiomas with a predominant location of the matrix in the area of the tuberclum and diaphragm of the sella. Tumors in both groups were removed according to the same principles (matrix coagulation, mainly the gradual removal of the tumor, the use of ultrasonic aspirator, a situational decision on the radicality of the operation, etc.). The main difference between operations in these two groups was only canal related algorithms (with or without its trepanation), as well as the probable prevalence of significant lateral tumor growth in cases with canal trepanation. Visual functions in the «primary» group were evaluated before and after operations with trepanation of the canal depending on various factors - the initial state of vision and the radicality of the tumor excision, including removal from the canal. The differences in the postoperative dynamics of vision in the main and control groups were studied. The primary data processing was carried out using the program MSExcel. Secondary statistical processing was carried out using the program Statistica. To assess the statistical significance of differences in the results obtained in the compared patient groups, the Chi-square test was used, and in the case of small groups - the exact Fisher test was applied.RESULTS:In the main group postoperative vision improvement of varying degrees on the side of trepanation was registered in 36.9% (59 out of 160) cases, no vision changes were found in 36.9% (59 out of 160), and in 26,2% (42 out of 160) the eyesight deteriorated. If preserving vision is attributed to a satisfactory result, then in general the results of these operations should be considered good. A comparative study of the results of removal of meningiomas with trepanation of the canals (main group) or without it (control group) was carried out among patients with the most critical vision situation (visual acuity 0.1 and below, up to only light perception). These groups are comparable in the number of observations - 62 and 73 respectively. The predominance of cases with improved vision in the main group compared with the control group (50.0% versus 38.36%) and a lower incidence of vision impairment (22.58% versus 34.25%) were found. However, the revealed differences are statistically unreliable and make it possible for us to talk only about the trend. The complications associated with trepanation of the canal include mechanical damage to the nerve by the drill. In our series of observations, there was only 1 case of abrasion of the nerve surface with the burr, which did not lead to a significant visual impairment. With the intradural method of trepanation in the area of the medial wall of the canal, the sphenoid sinus may open (in our series, in 34 cases out of 160 trepanations). Immediately closure of these defects was performed by various auto- and allomaterials in various combinations (pericranium, fascia, muscle fragment, hemostatic materials, and fibrin-thrombin glue). A true complication - CSF rhinorrhea liquorrhea developed in only one case, which required transnasal plastic surgery of the CSF fistula using a mucoperiostal flap.CONCLUSIONS:1. Trepanation of the optic canal in cases of meningiomas of parasellar localization is a relatively safe procedure in the hands of a trained neurosurgeon and does not worsen the results of operations compared with the excision of the same tumors without trepanation of the canal. 2. The literature data and the results of our study make it possible to consider the decompression of the optic canal as an optional, but in many cases, useful option that facilitates the transcranial removal of some meningiomas of the sellar region.

BACKGROUND Development of meningiomas correlating with irradiation has been described in the last century. Different biological features of radiation-induced meningiomas depending on dose and type of irradiation have been observed in recent years. MATERIAL AND METHODS There were 8848 patients (women - 74.3%) with intracranial meningiomas for the period from 2000 to 2014 who underwent surgery at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Center. Radiation-induced meningiomas were identified in 33 patients (13 (38%) men and 20 (62%) women) aged 16-76 years (median 56 years). Medical data were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up period ranged from 5 to 22 years (median 12) after verification of histological diagnosis. Meningiomas were preceded by X-ray irradiation of the scalp for ringworm (microsporia or trichophytosis) in 26 cases (79%) (group A). Group B enrolled 7 (21%) patients after previous radiotherapy for other tumors (retinoblastoma, chiasmal glioma, pituitary adenoma, basalioma). Data were compared using Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Incidence of radiation-induced meningiomas was 0.37% in our sample. Meningioma diagnosis dates after X-ray epilation (median 52 years) significantly differed from that after radiotherapy (median 22 years) (Mann-Whitney test, p=0.0003). Primary multiple meningiomas were diagnosed only in the 1st group (Fisher's exact test, p=0.0005). Recurrent meningiomas after the first surgery were more common in the first group (58%) compared to the second one (14%) (Mann-Whitney test, p=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS The latency period is shorter after radiotherapy (median 22 years compared to 52 years after X-ray epilation). Incidence of atypical and malignant meningiomas directly correlates with irradiation dose. Approximately equal incidence of radiation-induced meningiomas after X-ray epilation in women and men can indicate other mechanisms of development of these tumors in comparison with spontaneous ones. Radiotherapy is followed by occurrence of meningiomas within the irradiated area. These tumors are usually single. In case of X-ray epilation, the tumors may be localized anywhere within the intracranial space (convexital and/or parasagittal localization in 77% of cases). Multiple neoplasms occur in 42% of cases. Refusal of head X-ray epilation for the treatment of a ringworm for the last 50 years may be followed by reduced incidence of radiation-induced meningiomas, especially multiple ones. However, extended indications for radiotherapy of various brain diseases can result an increase of the incidence of meningiomas within the irradiated area.

AIM:To identify the most frequently occurring symptoms resulting from the affection of internal and external skull base in patients with benign tumors of the anterior and middle cranial base.MATERIAL AND METHODS:The authors analyzed a complex of history, clinical, and instrumental data as well as results of combined treatment of 642 patients with benign tumors of the anterior and middle cranial base operated Medical Research between 2007 and 2011.RESULTS:Neurological signs and symptoms in patients with benign tumors of the anterior cranial base, parasellar region, and middle cranial fossa were studied. In the majority of cases, the tumor extended extracranially. The most common groups of symptoms were identified and described, the most important groups are presented in the diagrams. The proposed scheme is applicable also for malignant tumors or other mass lesions of the same localization.CONCLUSION:Effective treatment and selection of the best management of a patient depends on modern medical approaches and techniques including neuroimaging. Careful assessment of symptoms is crucial in detection of tumors in the early stage. Dynamic monitoring of the patient using the proposed scheme will contribute to early detection of tumor recurrence or progression.

Epileptic seizures developing for the first time after a neurosurgical intervention (de novo seizures) are a challenge for choosing an optimal treatment. The pathogenesis of these seizures is often associated with factors that become inactive in the early postoperative period. These seizures can not serve the basis for diagnosing symptomatic epilepsy and should be regarded as a brain response to surgery, and patients do not need anticonvulsant therapy that reduces the quality of life. But in some situations, new early postoperative seizures serve the onset of symptomatic epilepsy and require prolonged anticonvulsant therapy. To date, one of the main techniques to identify the nature of newly developed seizure and to plan further treatment (whether or not to use anticonvulsant therapy) is video EEG monitoring. We present two clinical cases of patients who developed de novo convulsive seizures in the early postoperative period in similar situations after resection of intracerebral tumors. The use of video EEG monitoring allowed avoiding unreasonable use of anticonvulsant therapy in one of the patients.

A review of literature presents up-to-date information on the prevalence, incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and classification of malignant primary skull base tumors (MPSBTs). In the structure of total cancer incidence, malignant head and neck tumors account for 5% of all annual cancer deaths in the USA and are among the 5 most common groups of tumors in males worldwide. These tumors develop most often in the sixth decade of life, occurring 2 times more often in males than in females. In Russia, the MPSBT incidence (as of 2012) was 0.62% out of all newly diagnosed malignant tumors. The incidence rate amounts to 0.66 per 100 000 population and is significantly higher than the global rate (0.44 per 100 000). About half of all malignant skull base tumors have the epithelial nature and affect the anterior parts of the skull base. The most frequent histological types of malignant skull base tumors are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma. Treatment of skull base tumors is an interdisciplinary problem and the area of interest of otolaryngologists, dentists, ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, radiologists, and chemotherapists. Physical and endoscopic examinations, endoscopic transnasal biopsy, CT, MRI, PET/CT, and ultrasound are typically used for verification of the diagnosis, tumor staging, and selection of the treatment approach. The review describes the criteria for TNM staging of malignant tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in accordance with the 7th version of the TNM recommendations of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The TNM-based staging depends on the location (maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, or ethmoid labyrinth) and histological structure of the tumor, which, in turn, determines the tactics of comprehensive treatment and a prognosis group.

The results of surgical and combination therapy of 302 patients with benign tumors of the anterior and middle regions of the skull base with allowance for the functional outcomes (immediately after surgery and during the catamnestic follow-up) are reported. The Karnofsky and Rankin scales and the Anterior Skull Base Questionnaire (ASBQ) were used for the analysis. Radical tumor resection, as compared to partial resection, reduces the quality of life in the early postoperative period but increases it in future; the use of radiation therapy in combination treatment for patients with radically inoperable tumors does not worsen their quality of life in the late postoperative period.

The occipital condyle syndrome (OCS) is a rare and little-known neurological syndrome pathognomonic of metastatic involvement of the occipital condyle. OCS is the first significant sign of secondary involvement of the atlantooccipital joint in patients with a history of cancer. The early detection of skull base metastases permits timely use of radiation treatments and avoidance of surgical interventions.

INTRODUCTION:trigeminal schwannomas account for 0.07-0.36% of all intracranial tumors and 0.8-8% of all intracranial schwannomas. Different surgical approaches are used depending on the topographic anatomical variant of the tumor. Dumbbell-shaped tumors that spread both to the middle and posterior cranial fossae are the most challenging ones in terms of their resection.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Five patients with dumbbell-shaped trigeminal schwannomas were operated on at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute in 2011-2013. In four cases, tumor resection comprised two stages using the retrosigmoid suboccipital approach (RSA) and lateral extended transsphenoidal endoscopic approach (LETEA); in one case, the tumor was resected in a single session through the LETEA. If there were pronounced symptoms affecting the brainstem and/or cerebellum, tumor resection from the posterior cranial fossa through RSA was resected at the first stage (3 cases). If no symptoms were observed, tumor resection from the middle cranial fossa through LETEA was used as the first stage (2 cases).RESULTS:After two surgical stages, total, subtotal, and partial tumor resection was performed (one case each). Total tumor resection from the middle cranial fossa was achieved through LETEA in two cases. Aggravation of ipsilateral paresis of the craniocerebral nerve VI was observed after the surgery in two cases. No cases of nasal liquorrhea were observed after transnasal surgery. In one case, the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery was damaged during LETEA, thus requiring endovascular occlusion of the damaged vessel to be performed.CONCLUSION:LETEA is an effective approach that allows resection of tumors from the middle cranial fossa and the cavernous sinus. Combined with RSA, this approach can be used for two-stage resection of dumbbell-shaped trigeminal schwannomas.

Following the paper focused on surgery of skull base tumors invading the orbit, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavities, pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae, the authors discuss particular issues of surgical treatment of the most common craniofacial mass lesions, including meningiomas, juvenile angiofibromas, trigeminal nerve tumors, chondroid tumors, and others.