[Use of optical coherence tomography in diagnosis of retinal lymphomas]. / Vozmozhnosti opticheskoi kogerentnoi tomografii v diagnostike retinal'nykh limfom.

Primary intraocular lymphomas (PIOL) affecting the vitreoretinal complex is a rare nosology, and because of that PIOLs often cause diagnostic difficulties and/or lead to misdiagnosis. In the event of retinal lesions, in addition to routine ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retina plays an important role in the diagnosis of the disease. PURPOSE: Evaluation of the characteristic features of retinal lymphomas using OCT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 6 patients (10 eyes) with retinal lymphomas associated with brain lesions of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who were treated at the N.N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery from 2017 to 2020; they were examined with OCT. RESULTS: All patients with retinal lymphomas showed typical OCT signs in the form of hyperreflective subretinal infiltrates. CONCLUSION: OCT is a modern non-invasive method that allows diagnosing retinal lymphomas based on clinical and instrumental signs with a high degree of reliability.

[Breast cancer metastasis into a giant hormone-inactive pituitary adenoma adenoma. (Clinical case and literature review)]. / Metastaz raka molochnoi zhelezy v gigantskuiu gormonal'no-neaktivnuiu adenomu gipofiza. (Klinicheskoe nabliudenie i obzor literatury).

Brain metastases of various types of cancer are diagnosed in 8-10% of all cancer patients. In the world literature, only 30 cases of cancer metastasis to the pituitary adenoma are described. This article presents yet another observation of a patient with breast cancer metastasis into the hormone-inactive pituitary adenoma at the Burdenko neurosurgical center, Russia The patient underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoid removal of the neoplasm. During microscopy and immunohistochemical studies of the biopsy, two types of tissue (pituitary adenoma and cancer metastasis) with different Ki-67 treated surgically (1% and over 40%) were found.

[Transcranial microsurgical decompression of the optic canal in surgical treatment of meningiomas of the sellar region]. / Transkranial'naya mikrokhirurgicheskaya dekompressiya kanala zritel'nogo nerva v khirurgii meningiom khiazmal'no-sellyarnoi oblasti.

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 «primary¼ 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.

[Neurosarcoidosis of the anterior visual pathway (a case report and literature review)]. / Neirosarkoidoz perednego zritel'nogo puti (klinicheskie nabliudeniia i obzor literatury).

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder of unknown nature. Patients often present with pulmonary, skin, eye, and orbital lesions. Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is accompanied by granulomatous leptomeningitis and damage to the basal brain structures with formation of granulomas near the cranial nerves, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, cavernous sinuses, optic chiasm, and intracranial optic nerves. The optic nerves can be affected independently of the other CNS regions, which may be the first manifestation of the disease. The article presents two clinical cases of sarcoidosis affecting the anterior visual pathway. Diagnosis of the disease was associated with certain difficulties. A biopsy revealed a sarcoidosis lesion.

[Intra-optic nerve and chiasmal abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (a case report and literature review)]. / Abstsess intrakranial'noi chasti zritel'nogo nerva i khiazmy, vyzvannyi metitsillinorezistentnym zolotistym stafilokokkom (klinicheskoe nabliudenie i obzor literatury).

A 27-year-old immunocompetent male with headache, transient polydipsia, and polyuria suddenly developed visual impairment (predominantly in the left eye) and, 2 days later, left-sided amaurosis. MRI in T1, T2, DWI, and FLAIR modes revealed a space-occupying lesion of the left intracranial optic nerve and chiasm. According to the clinical X-ray picture, malignant chiasmal glioma was suspected; another and less likely variant was lymphoma. An open biopsy of the space-occupying lesion of the chiasmal-sellar region revealed purulent-necrotic masses. Material from the operative wound was positive for a Staphylococcus aureus strain. The polymerase chain reaction of a cerebrospinal fluid sample revealed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The patient underwent systemic and intrathecal antibiotic therapy with linezolid and vancomycin, respectively, with a good clinical effect: there was an improvement in the vision in a right single sighted eye and normalization of the cerebrospinal fluid composition.

[Multi-session stereotactic radiotherapy in the treatment of recurrent B-cell primary intraocular lymphoma (a case report)]. / Mnogokratnoe primenenie stereotaksicheskoi radioterapii dlia lecheniia retsidiviruiushchei V-kletochnoi pervichnoi intraokuliarnoi limfomy (klinicheskii sluchai).

The article describes the clinical observation of a 41-year-old woman suffering from non-Hodgkin's B-cell primary lymphoma of the central nervous system involving both eyes. The article features the data on 85-month follow-up, as well as description of the clinical and instrumental features of the disease. The study provides analysis of the long-term results of combined treatment of recurrent primary intraocular lymphoma including repeated courses of radiation therapy.

[Radiotherapy of primary intraocular lymphoma associated with primary central nervous system lymphoma]. / Radioterapiya pervichnykh intraokulyarnykh limfom, assotsiirovannykh s pervichnoi limfomoi tsentral'noi nervnoi sistemy.

AIM: The aim of the study was to define indications for stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) of primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) and to evaluate the SRT efficacy and toxicity level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve immunocompetent patients with PIOL associated with primary CNS lymphoma underwent SRT of the affected eye/both eyes area. Three patients underwent repeated SRT due to PIOL recurrence. RESULTS: An improvement in visual acuity occurred in 6 patients. No changes in the visual function were observed in patients with high visual acuity, patients with amaurosis, and patients with concomitant eye diseases. Tumoral infiltration of the vitreous body resolved/decreased in all patients, except one case with retinal PIOL. PIOL recurrence developed in 6 patients. The disease-free period ranged from 1 to 24 months. The development/progression of cataract was found in 2 patients. Temporary radiation epidermitis occurred in 7 patients. Three patients developed ocular hypertension. One patient had lower eyelid ectropion. CONCLUSION: SRT is indicated for PIOL recurrence after intravitreal methotrexate injections, and in the case when local chemotherapy can not be used. In the case of combined injury to the brain and eyes, it is recommended that planned whole brain irradiation to involve the eyeball area. Local SRT is recommended if lymphoma locally affects the eye (or both eyes) without involvement of the brain. PIOL radiotherapy enables achieving persistent local disease control with minimal toxicity manifestations.

[Chiasm and optic nerve glioma manifested as hemorrhage (two clinical cases and a literature review)]. / Glioma khiazmy i zritel'nykh nervov, proiavivshaiasia krovoizliianiem (dva klinicheskikh nabliudeniia i obzor literatury).

The article presents two rare clinical cases of low-grade (WHO grade I-II) glioma of the anterior visual pathway structures, the chiasm and optic nerves, in adults. The feature of these cases was the benign nature of a chiasm and optic nerve glioma in adults as well as its presentation in the form of hemorrhage to the tumor and parenchymal and subarachnoid space, which to some extent complicated making the correct diagnosis. Removal of an intracerebral hematoma and open tumor biopsy were performed in one case, and removal of a hematoma and partial tumor resection followed by radiotherapy were performed in the other case.

[Endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous sinus]. / Endoskopicheskoe transsfenoidal'noe udalenie adenom gipofiza, vrastayushchikh v kavernoznyi sinus.

INTRODUCTION: Pituitary adenomas are benign growths that invade the cavernous sinus (CS) in 10-15% of cases. There are different types of microsurgical and endoscopic approaches enabling resection of tumors from the CS cavity that is a relatively small and hard to reach anatomical structure comprising eloquent neurovascular structures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study group included 97 patients with pituitary adenomas (PAs) invading the CS. PAs were resected using an endoscopic technique: adenomas were resected from the CS cavity through a standard endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach in 62 cases; a lateral extended transsphenoidal endoscopic approach was used in 35 cases. A control group included patients with PAs spreading into the laterosellar region who were operated on using microsurgical extra-intradural (n=14) and transsphenoidal (n=149) approaches. In the study group, the degree of PA invasion into the CS cavity was determined using the Knosp scale. RESULTS: In the study group, total tumor resection was achieved in 49 (50.5%) cases, subtotal resection in 39 (40.2%) cases, and partial resection in 9 (9.3%) patients. In the case of visual disorders (n=70), vision improvement was achieved in 41.4% of cases. Vision deterioration was detected in 11.4% of cases; no vision changes were in 47.1% of cases. Patients (27.8%) who had not had visual impairments before surgery had no negative changes in vision in the postoperative period. The development/augmentation of oculomotor disorders in the study group occurred in 14 (14.4%) cases. In the study group, hormonal remission of the disease in patients with hormone-active PAs was in 26.7% of cases (n=12). There were no cases of nasal liquorrhea, meningitis, and death in the study group. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection of PAs invading the CS is a more efficient and safer surgical technique compared to microsurgical techniques (transsphenoidal and extra-intradural approach). The lateral extended transsphenoidal endoscopic approach enables resection of PAs with massive invasion into the CS (Grade III and Grade IV, Knosp scale) and has less postoperative complications compared to the extra-intradural approach (p<0.05).

[Endoscopic endonasal surgical treatment of large pituitary adenoma, spreading into the posterior fossa].

AIM: The objective of the study was to develop the tactics of surgical treatment of large and giant pituitary adenomas, spreading into the posterior cranial fossa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with large hormonally inactive pituitary adenoma, extending to the right cavernous sinus and posterior cranial fossa. RESULTS: The endoscopic endonasal removal a large endo-supra-latero(D)-retrosellar pituitary tumor was conducted. Control MRI shows that the tumor was removed radically. Oculomotor disturbances were observed in the early postoperative period, which significantly regressed within 6 months. The article provides detailed analysis of the world literature on the issue under discussion. Illustrative pre-, intra-, and post-operative photographs, as well as histological preparations are shown. CONCLUSION: Modern minimally invasive techniques make it possible to remove large pituitary adenomas (and other tumors) of the posterior cranial fossa using endoscopic endonasal approach. Such operations must be carried out at highly specialized institutions by the surgeons who have extensive experience in endoscopic transnasal surgery of skull base tumors.

[Malignant B-сell lymphoma of the anterior visual pathway].

This work was aimed at studying the optimal diagnosis methods and features of clinical signs of malignant B-cell lymphoma of the anterior visual pathways and choosing the most reasonable treatment method. Six immunocompetent patients with lymphomas in the chiasm-sellar region were examined. The outcomes of high-dose methothrexate chemotherapy and radiotherapy in these patients are analyzed.

[Assessment of optic nerve decompression efficiency in resection of sellar region meningiomas via intradural subfrontal approach].

In this article we analyze results of the different variants of the optic nerve transcranial decompression in cases with different chiasmal region tumors. We operate 70 patient with different type meningioma (tuberculum sella, shenoid wings, anterior clinoid, optic canal), pituitary adenoma and one case with tuberculoma (we operate it thinking on meningioma, but histology was unexpected). Groups of the patients. Group1. 20 patients with pituitary adenoma with cavernous sinus invasion. It was our "pre-endoscopic" period when we frequently operated adenomas by transcranial approach. In this 20 patients we used intra-extradural Dolenc approach to cavernous sinus. In that cases we removed anterior clinoid process and decompressed optic canal. Here we use the results of surgery in this group for showing the possibility of using high speed drill for the optic canal decompression - for showing it safety. On our opinion this type of optic canal decompression is radical and safe but superfluous for the optic canal invasion by the meningioma. Group 2. 19 patients with meningioma. In that cases we partially unroofed optic canal by Kerrison and additionally we cut the falciform ligament. Group 3. 31 patients with meningioma. It's our "main" group. Here we made intradural wide unroofing the optic canal by high speed drill. Additionaly we cut the falciform ligament and open the dural sheet of the optic nerve. We propose this methodic like sufficient, safe and useful. In this cases we frequently saw the tumor spread inside the dural sheet of the optic nerve, without seeing it on the MRI. A lot of cases in this group was a recurrent after previous meningioma removal. Like a control groups we use two. Group 4. 11 cases with meningioma. In that cases we removed tumor from optic canal without any decompression. It was our archive group - we made this type of surgery before starting optic canal decompression. This group shows the risks of any manipulation with fixed optic nerves without optic canal decompression. Group 5. 31 case with meningioma. In this cases we saw the optic canal invasion by the tumor but we didn't try to decompress it. It was our archive group - we made this type of surgery before starting optic canal decompression. We use this group for found out the risks of canal decompression. This group shows the poor perspectives for the vision in optic canal invasion by the tumor without it decompression. We analyze the results of surgery on the day of discharge and on catamnesis - we decide that the optic nerves need time to recovery. We analyzed the results of surgery in patients with 3 types of the visual dysfunction: moderate (1.0-0.5), hard (0.5-0.1), decompensating (0.1-0). For showing the real risks and effectivety of any type of decompression and surgery without decompression we look for results in patients with decompensating of visual functions. For statistical analyses we use Fisher criteria which used in small series. We statistically showed that any attempts of tumor removal form the optic canal is more risky than decompression. Also we found a tendency that wide intradural decompresstion made by high speed drill with additional falciform ligament cutting and the dural sheet opening is more effective and safe than opening the optic canal by Kerrisson. This technique also could be used during the transcranial surgery for the other type of pathology particularly in cases with short optic nerves and prefixed chiasm - it gives the mobility for the nervesand decreased the nerve damaging.