[Results of the Third Congress on Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery]. / Itogi Tret'ego kongressa po funktsional'noi i stereotaksicheskoi neirokhirurgii.

After several years of waiting due to the "covid quarantine" and subsequent restrictions, we finally met. Epidemiological restrictions prevented the planned interim congress in 2021. The Third Congress on Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery was held in Moscow on March 15-17, 2023. Despite the widespread use of the online conference format, the Congress was attended by almost everyone who is in one way or another associated with functional and stereotactic neurosurgery in our country. International participation was also present despite the existing sanctions restrictions.

[Methods and results of neurosurgical treatment of cerebral palsy]. / Metody i rezul'taty neirokhirurgicheskogo lecheniya detskogo tserebral'nogo paralicha.

Treatment of spastic syndrome and muscular dystonia in patients with cerebral palsy is a complex clinical problem. Effectiveness of conservative treatment is not high enough. Modern neurosurgical techniques for spastic syndrome and dystonia are divided into destructive interventions and surgical neuromodulation. Their effectiveness is different and depends on the form of disease, severity of motor disorders and age of patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of various methods of neurosurgical treatment of spasticity and muscular dystonia in patients with cerebral palsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We To evaluate the effectiveness of various methods of neurosurgical treatment of spasticity and muscular dystonia in patients with cerebral palsy.analyzed literature data in the PubMed database using the keywords «cerebral palsy¼, «spasticity¼, «dystonia¼, «selective dorsal rhizotomy¼, «selective neurotomy¼, «intrathecal baclofen therapy¼, «spinal cord stimulation¼, «deep brain stimulation¼. RESULTS: Effectiveness of neurosurgery was higher for spastic forms of cerebral palsy compared to secondary muscular dystonia. Destructive procedures were the most effective among neurosurgical operations for spastic forms. Effectiveness of chronic intrathecal baclofen therapy decreases in follow-up due to secondary drug resistance. Destructive stereotaxic interventions and deep brain stimulation are used for secondary muscular dystonia. Effectiveness of these procedures is low. CONCLUSION: Neurosurgical methods can partially reduce severity of motor disorders and expand the possibilities of rehabilitation in patients with cerebral palsy.

[Chronic sacral neuromodulation for pelvic floor dysfunction in children with spina bifida]. / Lechenie narusheniya funktsii tazovykh organov u detei s mielodisplaziei metodom khronicheskoi sakral'noi neirostimulyatsii.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness of chronic sacral neurostimulation for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in children with spina bifida. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight patients with spina bifida and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction underwent surgical treatment. Three patients had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and urinary incontinence. Five patients had detrusor overactivity and urine retention. Conservative treatment was failed in all cases. We implanted quadripolar test electrode on the S3 root through Tuohy needle under fluoroscopic control. Test stimulation was ineffective in three children with detrusor overactivity. Five patients with positive response to stimulation underwent implantation of chronic neurostimulation system. We estimated the efficacy of neurostimulation considering symptoms of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, urinary diary, PAD test and complex urodynamic examination data. RESULTS: Positive clinical effects were observed in 3 patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and 2 patients with detrusor overactivity. Clinical effect included improvement in urine leakage and higher bladder volume. In patients with urinary retention, we revealed voluntary urination and less number of daily catheterization procedures. In one patient, clinical effect of chronic stimulation regressed within 3 month after surgery. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results of chronic sacral neuromodulation confirmed its advisability in children with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. Patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia had better results compared to those with detrusor overactivity.

[Treatment of sciatic posttraumatic neuropathy with chronic neuromodulation and endoscopic technics]. / Lechenie posttravmaticheskoi nevropatii sedalishchnogo nerva s ispol'zovaniem khronicheskoi neirostimulyatsii i endoskopicheskoi tekhniki.

OBJECTIVE: Sciatic nerve injury in the deep gluteal space is a major clinical problem due to microsurgical manipulations in this region are limited in scope. We offer new endoscopic approach to the sciatic nerve in the deep gluteal space which allows to perform microsurgical manipulations, neurophysiological mapping and electrode installation for the chronic nerve stimulation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 3 patients with sciatic neuropathy have been operated. Before the operation they suffered from neuropathic pain in the the posterior thigh and calf, reaching 7-8 points on the visual analog scale (VAS). Paresis of triceps surae and biceps femur also was occurred. We performed endoscopic approach to the deep gluteal space through a small incision under the gluteal fold. Microsurgical external and internal decompression of sciatic nerve was performed under the endoscopic control. Next, intra-trunk nerve mapping was performed to visualize sensory fibers. Cylindrical electrodes for chronic neurostimulation were directly placed on the sensory fibers of sciatic nerve. RESULTS: Pain relief was obtained in all cases after activating the simulator, the patient noted a 50% reduction in pain. Muscle straight restoration was observed in all cases 2-3 months later. The clinical effect was stable in the follow up (6 months). CONCLUSION: This technique, combining minimal invasiveness and intraoperative neurophysiological control, makes it possible to optimally position the electrode, both to achieve positive analgesic effect and for potential restoration of nerve function.

[Long-term results of chronic intrathecal baclofen treatment in patients with spasticity and secondary dystonia]. / Otdalennye rezul'taty khronicheskoi intratekal'noi terapii baklofenom u bol'nykh so spastichnost'iu i vtorichnoi myshechnoi distoniei.

AIM: To estimate the efficacy of intrathecal treatment with baclofen (ITB) in spasticity and dystonia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of patients have been operated: 19 patients with spinal spasticity and 33 patients with cerebral spasticity (cerebral palsy). After baclofen screening test, the Synchromed2 (Medtronic) was implanted. The level of muscle tone was assessed by the Ashworth scale. The locomotion was assessed by GMFM 88 and Arens scale. The dystonia was assessed by the BFM scale. Follow-up was performed 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation and yearly after that. The duration of the follow-up ranged from 2 to 9 years. RESULTS: ITB led to a significant decrease in leg spasticity in both groups of patients (p<0.001). The dynamics of spasticity was more significant in the first group compared to the second group (2.77 and 2.07 points, respectively (p<0.0031)). The dynamics of muscle tone in arms was lesser then in legs (p<0.0022). The positive clinical dynamics in patients with secondary dystonia was minimal (BFM from 65±17 to 60±19). Increasing of ITB daily dose was required to maintenance the clinical effect in most patients. The loss of ITB effect was noted in 5% of patients. CONCLUSION: ITB was more effective in patients with spinal spasticity. The influence of ITB on the secondary dystonia was lesser then on the spasticity. The dynamic of the muscle tone was more significant in legs than in arms. The loss of ITB effect can be observed in some cases after the operation despite the positive result of baclofen screening-test.

[Chronic sacral nerve electrostimulation in treatment of neurogenic pelvic organ dysfunction in children]. / Khronicheskaia sakral'naia élektrostimuliatsiia v lechenii neirogennoi disfunktsii tazovykh organov u detei.

Myelodysplasia is the most common cause of congenital pelvic abnormalities in children. The causes of acquired neurogenic pelvic dysfunctions in children include spinal cord injury, myelitis, and neurodegenerative diseases. Urination impairments in children with neurological disorders are a serious clinical problem. In most cases, the capabilities of conservative treatment of pelvic organ dysfunctions are limited. One of the most promising directions in treatment of neurogenic urination disorders is modeling of a lost urination mechanism using direct or mediated electrostimulation of the nerve fibers of the sacral plexus - neuromodulation. AIM: the review aim is to describe the technique and results of chronic sacral neurostimulation in treatment of pelvic organ disorders in children, which have been reported in the international literature. An obligatory condition for application of chronic sacral neurostimulation (CSNS) is a positive clinical response to test electrostimulation of the S3 nerve root. The test period duration is 1-3 weeks. In the case of a positive effect, a permanent system is implanted for neurostimulation of the S3 nerve root. On treatment with CSNS, children with severe urinary incontinence had a significant decrease in the rate of incontinence episodes, and patients with urinary retention had no or reduced need for periodic catheterization. Therefore, the accumulated experience of using CSNS in children with spinal cord diseases indicates the need in further study of the technique capabilities for correction of pelvic organ dysfunctions.

[Complications of intrathecal baclofen therapy]. / Oslozhneniya intratekal'noi terapii baklofenom.

AIM: To analyze complications of intrathecal baclofen therapy and identify high-risk groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We implanted 52 pumps to spastic patients for chronic intrathecal baclofen infusion. Two groups of patients were distinguished: 23 patients with spinal spasticity (group 1) and 29 patients with cerebral spasticity (group 2). The mean patient age was 37.2±14.6 years in group 1 and 17.3±10.3 years in group 2. Surgery was performed according to a standard procedure. A Medstream (Codman) pump was implanted in 10 cases, and a Synchromed II (Medtronic) pump was implanted in the remaining 42 cases. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Complications developed in 12 (23%) patients. We divided complications into 3 groups: baclofen underdose, baclofen overdose, and others. Insufficiency of intrathecal therapy was observed in 7 cases, which was caused by catheter migration (5 cases) and pump dysfunction (2 cases). In one case, baclofen overdose was observed after air travel. Other complications included 4 cases of persistent peri-implant seroma and infectious complications. Groups with a high risk of complications were identified based on an analysis of the results. Patients with severe dystonia of the trunk muscles have an increased risk of spinal catheter migration. Pronounced communicating hydrocephalus is associated with the risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak through a catheter shaft channel. Weakness of the axial musculature can lead to progression of scoliotic deformity. CONCLUSION: In some cases, chronic intrathecal baclofen therapy can be accompanied by various complications. This technique should be carefully used in patients from high-risk groups.

[Preliminary results of chronic intrathecal therapy in treatment of spastic syndromes of various etiologies].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness of the chronic intrathecal baclofen infusion (ITB) for the treatment of botuloresistant spastic disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ITB have been performed in 15 cases of spastic disorders. In 8 cases spasticity was the result of cerebral palsy, 5 - spinal cord injure, 1 - cerebral injure, 1 - pyogenic spinal epiduritis. The results of surgical treatment were estimated with the Ashworth, GMFM-88 and Arens scales. These data have been exposed statistically analysis. RESULTS: Significantly decrease of spasticity have been revealed in most cases: from 4.26±0.7 points before the operation to 1.8±0.67 points after the operation (p<0.004). In 8 cases we have observed improvement in motor functions. CONCLUSION: ITB is an effective procedure which leads to decreasing of spasticity, incree of movement volume and improvement in motor functions in patients with spastic disorders.

[Pharmacotherapy accompanied by deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in patients with Parkinson's disease]. / Medikamentoznaia terapiia na fone élektrostimuliatsii subtalamicheskogo iadra u patsientov s bolezn'iu Parkinsona.

AIM: To analyze pharmacotherapy accompanied by deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 54 patients, who underwent bilateral STN DBS from 2003 to 2012. The severity of motor disturbances, activities of daily living and complications of dopaminergic therapy were estimated in accordance with II, III and IV parts of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) before operation and one, three and four years after it. L-dopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) was assessed along with an analysis of the pharmacotherapy in whole. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: By the end of the 1st year, the severity of motor disturbances in OFF-period decreased by 52.3% and remained stable for 3 years (51.8%), a slight increase of severity of motor disturbances was observed later, however it didn't reach the pre-operative level. The severity of motor fluctuations and drug-induced dyskinesia fell by 64.9%, 70.7% and 42.7% by the end of the first, third and fourth year of observation. The maximal decrease in LEDD was reached by the end of the 1st year and accounted for 57.7%; by the end of the third and fourth years it was 52.4% and 38.2%, respectively. During the 1st year, 16.7% of patients didn't take levodopa. The dose of pure levodopa decreased by the end of the 1st year by 64.6%, and by 56.7% and 43.7% by the end of the 3rd and 4th years, respectively. Monotherapy by an agonist of dopamine receptors (ADR) was received by 12.9% of patients, thus the share of ADR as part of the combined therapy increased in the postoperative period from 24.1% to 35.2%.

[Long-term outcomes of SDR in various groups of cerebral palsy (CP) patients].

AIM: Long-term outcomes of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) are not sufficiently summarized in the literature. The aim of this study was to systematize and evaluate long-term outcomes of SDR in various groups of cerebral palsy (CP) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 47 patients with spastic CP were operated. In all cases, SDR of the L1-S1 roots was performed under EMG control. In all cases, laminoplasty was used as an approach. Outcomes of surgical treatment were estimated by the Ashworth scale and the GMFM 88 scale. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. The follow-up duration ranged from 12 months to 7 years. RESULTS: A significant reduction in spasticity from 4.34±0.53 points before surgery to 1.61±0.45 points after surgery (p<0.001) was observed in most cases. The dynamics of locomotor functions was maximal in the 3rd GMFM class: changing from 48±4% points before operation to 52±6% points 12 months after operation (p<0.042). The dynamics of locomotor functions amounted to 2% in the 4th GMFM class and 1% in the 5th GMFM class. The best functional outcomes were obtained in children under 10 years of age. A positive correlation only between the percentage of cut roots and a decrease in spasticity (r= 0.85) was found. No correlation between the amount of cut roots and the dynamics of locomotor functions was observed. No spinal cord deformities were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: A reduction in spasticity due to SDR depends on the amount of cut roots. The functional result of SDR is affected not only by a decrease in spasticity but also by the functional status and age of the patient at the time of surgery. In all cases, laminoplasty should be performed to prevent spinal cord deformities.

[Results of motor cortex stimulation in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes].

AIM: The article is aimed to demonstrate our experience in motor cortex stimulation (MCS) in patients with chronic neuropathic pain syndromes, assess the clinical efficacy of the technique in short-term and long-term follow-up, and analyze potential predictors of the MCS efficacy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients were implanted with MCS electrodes at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute in the period between 2004 and 2014. The mean age of patients was 52 years (26 to 74 years). The patients suffered from neuropathic pain syndromes of different genesis (post-stroke, multiple sclerosis, atypical facial pain, phantom limb pain, brachial plexus injury, spinal cord injury, complex regional pain syndrome I). All patients underwent neurological examination with verification of neuropathic pain (DN4, Pain Detect, LANSS). The pain intensity and its effect on quality of life were assessed before operation and during follow-up according to 10-point visual-analog scales (modified Brief Pain Inventory). Before surgery, all patients underwent several repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) sessions. After implantation of epidural electrodes, test MCS was performed. RESULTS: Test stimulation was positive in 19 (95%) patients. All these patients were implanted with a chronic MCS system. The mean follow-up was 49.3 months (from 3 to 96 months). In short-term follow-up (fist 6 months), a positive result of MCS was observed in 17 patients, and a reduction in the pain intensity ranged from 37.5% to 90%. In long-term follow up (from 12 to 96 months), 14 patients had positive MCS RESULTS: and a reduction in the pain intensity amounted to 25% to 60%. All patients with positive MCS results received significantly decreased doses of opioids and tramadol. Two patients developed infectious complications, but there was no neurological deficit. Analysis of the factors affecting the efficacy of motor cortex stimulation did not reveal a statistically significant effect of rTMS and the presence and intensity of motor deficit. CONCLUSION: Chronic epidural MCS is an effective and safety method for the treatment of some chronic neurogenic medically-refractory pain syndromes. Further research is necessary to specify the patient selection criteria and the MCS efficacy predictors.

[A comparative study of the efficacy of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus and pharmacological treatment in advanced Parkinson's disease]. / Sravnitel'noe issledovanie éffektivnosti neirokhirurgicheskogo lecheniia (élektrostimuliatsiia subtalamicheskogo iadra) i medikamentoznoi terapii na razvernutoi stadii bolezni Parkinsona.

Objective. To assess the clinical efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS STN) of the subthalamic nucleus in patients with Parkinson´s disease (PD) compared to pharmacological treatment. Material and methods. DBS STN was applied to 22 patients (mean age 53.2 years, mean disease duration 9,6 years). The control group included 28 patients (mean age 54.2 years, mean disease duration 9,6 years) with PD who received pharmacological treatment. Patients were examined in OFF-medication and ON-medication conditions at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36 months. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part II, III, IV, the Hoehn and Yahr scale, the Schwab and England Scale, PDQ-39, the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression and the Spielberger Anxiety Scale were administered. All patients had motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Results and conclusion. We demonstrated that DBS STN improved UPDRS II, III scores, reduced dyskinesias and motor fluctuations. After surgery, dopaminergic therapy was reduced by approximately 54.5%. In the control group, levodopa dose was increased by 20.5% to 36th month.

[Microsurgical selective neurotomy in treatment of the focal spastic syndromes of the different etiology]. / Mikrokhirurgicheskaia selektivnaia nevrotomiia v lechenii fokal'nykh spasticheskikh sindromov razlichnoi étiologii.

OBJECT: To estimate the effectiveness of selective peripheral neurotomy (SPN) in the treatment of local botuloresistant spastic disorders. METHODS: 20 SPNs were performed in 18 patients with spastic disorders. In 11 cases we performed SPN of the nervus obturatorius, in 5 - tibialis, in 3 - musculocutaneous, in 1 - radialis. The results of surgical treatment were estimated by the Ashworth scale and GMFM-88. These data was statistically processed. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease of spasticity in most cases: from 4,02±0,52 points before surgery to 1,86±0,63 points after surgery (p<0,001). In 11 cases we observed significant improvement in motor functions: from 50,7±12,92% before surgery to 54,9±13,6% after surgery (p<0,001). CONCLUSION: SPN is an effective procedure which leads to significant reduction of spasticity, improvement in movement range motor functions in patients with spastic disorders.

[Neurosurgery of the spasticity syndrome in children cerebral palsy].

The review is devoted to main neurosurgical approaches to the treatment of the spasticity syndrome in children cerebral palsy. Neurosurgical procedures are divided into destructive and neuromodulating. The former included posterior selective rhizotomy, selective neurotomy and destructive operations on subcortical brain structures. The latter group included electrostimulation of brain and spinal cord structures and implantation of pumps for the chronic intrathecal baclofen (lioresal) infusion. Each method is considered in a historical aspect. Details of clinical application, positive and negative sides of the methods are described.

[Posterior selective rhizotomy in the treatment of severe spastic syndrome in cerebral palsy].

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to optimize surgical technique of posterior selective rhizotomy for prevention of possible complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 11 patients (age 3-30 years) with severe spastic tetraparesis due to cerebral palsy were operated. Muscle tone in lower limbs reached 4-5 points (Ashworth scale). In all cases posterior selective rhizotomy of L1-S1 spinal roots was performed using laminoplasty and intraoperative electromyographic monitoring. Results were assessed in early postoperative period and during follow-up. RESULTS: In all cases in the early postoperative period we observed decrease of muscle tone to 1-2 points and increase of volume of passive movements. In the follow-up period 4 patients developed improvement of locomotor status, in 6 no changes were observed. In 1 case spastic syndrome recurred. We had no complications due to orthopaedic deformities of spinal column, sensory and pelvic disorders, muscular hypotonia. CONCLUSION: Posterior selective rhizotomy may be the method of choice in treatment of patients with severe spastic forms of cerebral palsy. Application of optimized surgical technique (laminoplasty, intraoperative stimulation electromyography) allows to decrease the risk of possible complications.

[Preliminary results of treatment for spastic forms of infantile cerebral paralysis by chronic epidural neurostimulation of lumbar enlargement].

Six patients with infantile cerebral paralysis following drug-resistant spastic syndrome were operated on. Four children suffered from lower spastic paraparesis; 2 had spastic tetraparesis. All the children were observed to have leg chiasm and myogenic equinus talipes. Electrodes were implanted under X-ray guidance into the posterior epidural cavity of the spinal cord at the level of Th10-Th12 vertebrae and the MATTRIX system. In the postoperative period, all the children had a steady-state decrease in leg and arm muscle tone during 1-2 daily high-frequency electrostimulation sessions. Within the early week, there was a regression of equinus talipes and leg chiasm. A follow-up indicated a steady-state clinical effect in all the patients. Stimulation myography revealed that the H reflex was suppressed and the H/M ratio decreased to the normal level (60-80%) in all the patients. An average of one daily electrostimulation session was sufficient to maintain muscle tone at the near-normal level.