[An anatomical study on the applicability of direct endoscopic exclusion of the ethmoid arteries for devascularization of the anterior skull base structures]. / Anatomicheskoe issledovanie vozmozhnosti priamogo éndoskopicheskogo vykliucheniia reshetchatykh arterii dlia devaskuliarizatsii struktur perednikh otdelov osnovaniia cherepa.

The anterior skull base structures are the site of initial growth of histologically different tumors. The difficulties in their removal are often associated with significant vascularization, which may limit the amount of resection due to abundant intraoperative blood loss. Midline tumors are primarily fed by the ethmoid arteries that are not accessible to embolization. The aim of this work was a comparative experimental study of various direct approaches to the ethmoid arteries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on anatomical specimens of 12 cadaveric heads of deceased people without pathology of the anterior skull base structures, orbits, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses (24 sides). In all specimens, the internal and external carotid arteries were stained with silicone. During anatomical dissection, four surgical approaches for exclusion of the ethmoid arteries were studied: 1) transorbital approach to the arteries using a bicoronal incision; 2) endoscopic retro-caruncular approach; 3) endoscopic endonasal transethmoidal approach to the ethmoid artery canals; 4) endoscopic endonasal transethmoidal transorbital approach to the ethmoid arteries in the orbit. RESULTS: We described a surgical technique for exclusion of the ethmoid arteries using the approaches and analyzed their advantages and disadvantages. We formulated an algorithm for choosing the method for direct endoscopic exclusion of the ethmoid arteries, depending on the surgical approach chosen for removal of the tumor and features of the tumor extracranial spread. CONCLUSION: The decision on tumor devascularization is based on assessment of tumor blood supply (CT angiography or MR angiography data). Our study demonstrated the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches to the ethmoid arteries for their exclusion in order to early devascularize anterior skull base tumors. All these approaches are less traumatic and characterized by a good cosmetic and functional outcome.

[Orbital hemangiomas: capabilities of modern neuroradiological diagnostics]. / Gemangiomy orbity: vozmozhnosti sovremennoi neiroradiologicheskoi diagnostiki.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period from 2010 to 2016. 14 patients with cavernous hemangioma (CH) and 2 patients with capillary hemangioma (CapH) of the orbit were examined. The age of CH patients varied from 17 to 67 years (median, 53 years); 8 females and 6 males. The age of CapH patients was 35 and 54 years. All patients underwent surgery with subsequent histological verification. CT-perfusion was performed in 10 CH patients and 2 CapH patients according to a developed low-dose protocol (80 kV, 200 mAs, tscan=40 s) with allowance for a target localizer (80 kV, 120 mAs) and at a maximum radiation dose of not more than 4.0 mZv. Neoplasm microcirculation was quantitatively assessed by calculating hemodynamic parameters: blood flow velocity (BFV), blood volume (BV), and mean transit time (MTT). MRI without and with contrast enhancement was performed in 11 CH patients and 2 CapH patients according to the ophthalmologic protocol (Signa GE, 3.0 T) accepted at the Institute: without contrast enhancement - T1, T2, and T2-FLAIR modes, T1 and T2 with a Fat Sat technique at a scan thickness of 3 mm, and DWI MRI; contrast enhancement - T1 (three projections) mode, including the Fat Sat technique. SWAN (n=2) and non-contrast MR perfusion ASL (n=3) were also used. Diffusion-weighted images (DWI) were processed with calculation of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ACD). RESULTS: In all CH patients, CT-perfusion revealed low perfusion parameters of blood flow: BVCH=0.86±0.37 mL/100 g, BFVCH= 4.89±2.01 mL/100 g/min with a high mean transit time MTTCH=10.13±3.05 s compared to the same parameters of blood flow in the normal white matter: CBVNormWM=1.63±2.22 mL/100 g, CBFVNormWM=9.72±3.13 mL/100 g/min, and MTTNormWM=6.76±2.78 s. In CapH cases, significantly increased blood flow velocity and volume values and a low MTT value in the tumor were observed: BVCapH=10.30±4.10 mL/100 g, BFVCapH=119.72±53.13 mL/100 g/min, and MTTCapH=4.35±1.79 s. In the case of orbital hemangiomas, optimal MRI modes were T1 and T2 with the Fat Sat technique, a scan thickness of 3 mm, and intravenous contrast enhancement. The revealed pattern of contrast agent accumulation by CH, initially in the central part and then in the periphery, may be a useful radiographic sign in the differential diagnosis with other orbital tumors. CONCLUSION: Modern CT- and MRI-based diagnostics of orbital hemangiomas provides not only the exact location, size, and spread of the lesion but also reveals the characteristic structural features of these tumors, and the use of perfusion techniques visualizes hemodynamics of the tumors. CT-perfusion-based hemodynamic parameters of cavernous hemangiomas typical of this type of hemangiomas may be used in the differential diagnosis with other tumors of this location. The use of contrast enhancement and the Fat Sat technique with a scan thickness of not more than 3 mm is optimal for MRI diagnostics of orbital hemangiomas.

[Preoperative and postoperative ophthalmic symptoms in patients with space-occupying lesions of the midbrain and pineal region]. / Oftal'mologicheskaia simptomatika u bol'nykh s ob''emnymi obrazovaniiami srednego mozga i pineal'noi oblasti do i posle khirurgicheskogo lecheniia.

The most common clinical manifestations of space-occupying lesions of the midbrain and pineal region are oculomotor and pupil disorders and ophthalmoscopic signs of intracranial hypertension. PURPOSE: To identify patterns of neuro-ophthalmic symptoms before and after surgical treatment in patients with space-occupying lesions of the midbrain and pineal region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed neurological symptoms in 231 patients with space-occupying lesions of the midbrain and pineal region before and after surgical treatment. Malignant tumors were detected in 121 patients; benign tumors were present in 73 patients; 37 patients were diagnosed with pineal gland cysts. Patients with suspicion of germinoma underwent a tumor biopsy only; the other patients underwent tumor resection. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Before surgery, oculomotor and pupil disorders were detected in more than half of the (67%) patients; ophthalmoscopic signs of intracranial hypertension were present in 38% of the patients. Neuro-ophthalmic symptoms significantly more often occurred in patients with malignant tumors. Midbrain symptoms were significantly more pronounced in germ cell tumors than in other malignant neoplasms. In the early postoperative period after tumor resection, deterioration of oculomotor and pupillary functions occurred in 46% of cases; there were no changes in 51% of cases; improvement occurred in 3% of cases. After tumor biopsy, symptoms in all patients with germinomas remained at the preoperative level. Developed symptoms partially regressed in the long-term period, and finally, only 29% of patients had deterioration of oculomotor and pupillary functions compared to the preoperative level.

[Optic nerve decompression in treatment of neoplasms involving optic canal].

Neoplasms extending to the optic canal is a diverse group of more than 15 histological types. Elimination of the optic nerve compression is crucial for favorable visual outcome. Material and method. We perform a prospective analysis of 97 patients with different neoplasms with involvement of the optic canal in whom surgery was performed in neurooncological department of Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute during the period from 2010 to 2012. Extent of resection and recurrence rates were determined by pre- and postoperative CT and MRI studies. Results. 97 patients (78 women and 19 men) were involved in the study. Mean age was 49,4 years. Patients were followed for mean of 15.9 months (1-36 month). Total resection was achieved in 54 (55.6%) patients, gross-total resection in 40 (41,2%), partial resection in 3 (3.2%). Underwent postoperative stereotactic radiation therapy 30 patients. There was no recurrence in a series of observations. 4 patients showed extension into both optic canals. Visual disturbances were the main presenting symptoms in 50 (51.5%) patients. 10 (10.3%) patients had normal visual status initially. Visual improvement after surgery was seen in (37%) of 87 patients with visual disturbances. Visual deterioration occurred in 17 (19%) patients. Transient visual deterioration occurred in 1 patient with recovery to the base level over time. The visual outcome was affected by the duration of the symptoms before surgery and the stage of visual disturbances according to the eyeground changes. Conclusions. Involvement of the optic canal is a common phenomenon in craniofacial tumors. Neoplasms extending to the optic canal is a diverse group of both the localization and histology. Decompression of the optic nerves is a crucial step in the surgical management of this neoplasms to optimize visual recovery and prevent tumor recurrence.

[Breast carcinoma metastasis to the optic nerve: case report and review of literature].

Metastatic tumours of the optic nerve are extremely rare. The review of literature revealed only 12 cases of breast carcinoma metastasis to the optic nerve. All patients survived less then 6 month after surgical treatment. We describe a case of metastatic breast carcinoma to the optic nerve that occurred 8 years after radical mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. The metastasis manifested with progressive decrease in visual acuity in the right eye during 3 month. CT and MRI demostrated enhancing lesion in the muscle cone apex of the right orbit with an extension to the optic canal. The presumable diagnosis was optic nerve sheath meningioma, and surgical resection was performed. The tumour involved the optic nerve and has been resected togeher with the nerve. Histology report confirmed metastatic tumour. Postoperatively, the patient received additional stereotactic radiotherapy. Patient died of tumour dissemination 2,5 years after surgery. Breast carcinoma metastases to the optic nerve usually have unfavorable prognosis both for survival and for visual acuity. Isolated metastatic tumors of the optic nerve remain a diagnostic challenge because of their clinical and radiological similarities to more common primary tumors of the optic nerve.

[Orbitosphenopetroclival meningeomas: clinical and topographic features and results of combined treatment]. / Orbitosfenopetroklival'nye meningiomy: kliniko-topo-grafi-cheskie osobennosti i rezul'taty kombinirovannogo lecheniia.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to access clinical and topographic features of orbitosphenopetroclival meningeomas and the results of surgical and combined treatment in patients with meningeaomas of that location. Orbitosphenopetroclival meningeomas comprise a peculiar group of tumors and are the result of infiltrative sphenopetroclival meningeomas progression, when the latter extend into the orbit and temporal fossa. Development of neurosurgery, use modern approaches and adjuvant therapies such as stereotaxic radiosurgery and radiotherapy in the past years markedly improve treatment results in these patients. However, difficulties in treatment strategy choice remain. One attempting to excise a tumor radically encounters with the risk of damage to critically important neurovascular structures. When a tumor is excised partially the risk of complication dwindles, however risk of relapse increases. Palliative surgery improve patients' quality of life. Radiosurgery and irradiation of residual tumors allow to establish control on a tumor growth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty three patients were studied, of them 20 received surcery, 9 - stereotaxic irradiation, 5 - conventional irradiation. The follow-up interval comprised 8-84 months (median 37 months). RESULTS: Manifestations of orbitosphenopetroclival meningeomas are combined from signs and symptoms of cranioorbital and petroclival meningeomas, and in many patients include signs of skull base external surface involvemevt, marked cosmetic deficits and psychological distress. Orbitosphenopetroclival meningeomas originate from cavernous sinus and medial parts of sphenoid bone wings. During its progression a tumor extends onto orbit and onto clivus, and then onto infratemporal and sphenopalatine fossae, nasopharynx and posterior cranial fossa. CONCLUSION: If a residual tumor is present patients with orbitosphenopetroclival meningeomas should undergo adjuvant irradiation after the first surgery.

[Botulotoxin type A (lantox) for inducing temporal ptosis in neurosurgical patients].

The aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of the ptosis induced by injection of Lantox (botulotoxin type A) into levator muscle projection in neurosurgical patients with lagophthalmos and trophic keratitis. The study included 66 patients at the age from 11 to 67 years. Lantox dose used was 10-25 U. Ptosis appeared after 1-7 days. Complete induced ptosis developed in 1-17 days and remained within 6-150 days. Full induced eyelid ptosis developed in 44 patients. Incomplete ptosis was observed in 19 patients. Drug resistance was seen in 3 patients. Our study results demonsrated effectiveness of the induced ptosis: complete recourse of trophic keratitis at development was seen in patients with complete drug-induced ptosis and significant decrease of trophic keratitis was observed in patients with semi-ptosis.

[Intraosseous cranioorbital hemangiomas].

The authors describe 2 cases of primary intraosseous cavernous hemangioma (PICH). PICH are extremely rare tumors that represent less than 1% of all tumors of the bone. Only 20% of them involve skull. In both cases clinical findings were presented by proptosis, oculomotor disorders and chronic daily headaches. Surgery is the most recommended method of treatment. The best surgical management is gross total resection within intact tissue. In both cases tumor was removed completely.

[Changes in visual and oculomotor impairments after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal removal of pituitary adenomas].

Changes in visual functions were analyzed in 427 patients with pituitary adenomas after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal tumor removal. The analysis indicated that not only the specific features of tumor growth and size and the baseline function, but also the efficacy of surgery and a patient's age affect postoperative changes in visual impairments. Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal adenomectomy was found to result in no clinical improvement as compared with the earlier used procedures of microscopic transnasal removal with and without an endoscope additionally used at some surgical stages.

[Surgical treatment for giant pituitary adenomas: the state of visual functions].

Giant pituitary adenomas (more than 60 mm) are a most difficult group of tumors of the pituitary. Surgery is practically the only treatment, visual functions being most vulnerable. The study showed that the procedures for removal of tumors through transsphenoidal approach (improved vision or no negative changes was noted in 78.2% of the patients) or made in 2 steps (a good result was obtained in 64.7%) presented the least risk. The most complete removal of a supracellular tumor portion irrespective of a chosen approach yields a better result than non-radical operations despite its potentially high traumaticity of visual nerves and optic chiasms.

[Comparative assessment of various methods for diagnosis of diabetic macular edema].

This study compared the sensitivity and specificity of various methods for diagnosing diabetic macular edema. It included patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy volunteers. In addition to standard ophthalmological examination, the authors performed computed perimetry with subthreshold and threshold brightness, Amsler's test, optical coherent tomography, retinal confocal tomography, and fluorescence angiography. The highest informative value was obtained when optical coherent tomography was used in combination with fluorescence angiography.

[Visual functional changes in patients with pituitary adenoma: results of transnasal-transsphenoidal tumor removal].

The study was based on the analysis of case histories of 371 patients with pituitary adenoma who were examined and treated at the Acad. N. N. Burdenko Institute of Neurosurgery in 1999 to 2004. The patients' age was 13 to 75 years; the peak of the disease fell on the age of 40-50 years. Females were 61% and males 39%. The symmetrical and asymmetric chiasmal syndrome was detected in 42 and 58% of patients, respectively. Early chismal syndrome was identified in 32% of patients; insignificant and significant one being in 27 and 41%, respectively. According to the stage of visual disorders, the patients were divided as follows: those with an early stage (62.9%) and those with a late stage (37.1%). An analysis has indicated that the pattern of visual disorders correlates with the site, predominant growth, and sizes of a tumor. Early postoperative visual functions restore mainly in patients with early-stage visual disorders, which is accounted for by timely decompression of visual fibers and their better blood supply. Functional block cessation, axonal transport recovery, and, probably, visual fiber remyelination result in positive changes in the late postoperative period.

[The structural bases of the cardiotoxic action of the anti-tumor antibiotic carminomycin]. / Strukturnye osnovy kardiotoksicheskogo deistviia protivoopukholevogo antibniotika karminomitsina.

The authors substantiate morphological and structural-functional basis of the cardiotoxic effect of the antitumor anthracycline antibiotic carminomycin after its single intraperitoneal administration in maximum tolerable doses. Results indicate that the cause of development of cardiac failure after administration of carminomycin to experimental animals in the development of an alternative and plastic cardiac failure prevalence of type I.

[The morphological aspects of the protective action of enterosorbent K(2)9 during the use of the antitumor anthracycline antibiotic carminomycin]. / Morfologicheskie aspekty protektornogo deistviia énterosorbenta K(2)9 pri primenenii protivoopukholevogo antratsiklinovogo antibiotika karminomitsina.

The authors substantiate morphologically the protector effect of K(2)9 enterosorbent during its parallel use with the antitumour anthracyclin antibiotic carminomycin. The agent was administered intraperitoneally in animals at the maximum tolerable dose. Use of the K(2)9 enterosorbent reduces the cardiotoxic effect of carminomycin.