[Traumatic intracranial aneurysms following combat damage]. / Travmaticheskie anevrizmy golovnogo mozga pri boevykh povrezhdeniyakh.

OBJECTIVE: To develop the principles for the treatment of traumatic intracranial aneurysms after combat damage to skull and brain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 18 patients with traumatic intracranial aneurysms from February 2022 to the present. Of these, 15 ones had gunshot penetrating wounds of the skull and brain. In 3 cases, aneurysms developed after explosive injury. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) of the brain, CT angiography of brain vessels and selective cerebral angiography. We analyzed nature of brain damage, trajectory of the wounding projectile and aneurysm location to determine predictors of traumatic intracranial aneurysms. Surgical treatment was performed in all cases. RESULTS: Hemorrhagic manifestations were observed in 11 patients. In 4 cases, traumatic intracranial aneurysms were diagnosed before rupture. Blunt head injury was followed by subarachnoid hemorrhage in 2 cases and ischemic stroke in 1 case. Endovascular or microsurgical intervention was performed depending on location of aneurysm, clinical manifestations and severity of brain damage. In case of distal aneurysms, endovascular and microsurgical destructive interventions prevailed. At the same time, proximal aneurysms (within or below the circle of Willis) required reconstructive endovascular treatment. CONCLUSION: Traumatic aneurysms should be suspected in all patients with penetrating craniocerebral injuries. Follow-up is contraindicated for traumatic intracranial aneurysms due to high risk of hemorrhage.

[Transradial approach in neuroendovascular procedures]. / Analiz primeneniya transradial'nogo vnutrisosudistogo dostupa v neirokhirurgicheskoi praktike.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and feasibility of transradial approach for neuroendovascular procedures and to familiarize neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists with the capabilities and limitations of this approach, as well as technical features influencing its effectiveness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 270 patients who underwent transradial neuroendovascular procedures between January 2015 and December 2019. Diagnostic and surgical interventions were performed in 203 (75.2%) and 67 (24.8%) patients, respectively. The authors comprehensively describe catheterization technique and choosing the instrument for effective and safe transradial access. RESULTS: The right vertebral and both common carotid arteries were the most accessible for selective catheterization (100% of cases). The left common carotid artery was catheterized in all cases, the left internal carotid artery - only in 92% of cases. If catheterization of the left vertebral artery was necessary, we used the left-sided radial approach. Conversion to femoral approach was required in 2.6% of cases for the left internal carotid artery disease (n=7). Radial artery occlusion occurred in 3.7% of cases (n=10) and was asymptomatic in all cases. We present a video clip (https://youtu.be/3wZ6O8u-lpk) devoted to various surgical interventions through radial approach. CONCLUSION: Radial approach is safe and feasible and may be used for neuroendovascular procedures.

[Middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural haematoma. Case series and literature review]. / Embolizatsiya srednei obolochechnoi arterii kak metod lecheniya khronicheskikh subdural'nykh gematom. Seriya klinicheskikh sluchaev i obzor literatury.

Middle meningeal artery embolization as primary method for treatment of chronic subdural hematomas became more popular in past decade. There are few large case series (>150 patients) and literature reviews characterizing advantages and drawbacks of endovascular treatment and technical features of surgeries. In this manuscript, the authors report 11 patients with chronic subdural hematoma scheduled for middle meningeal artery embolization and review the literature data on this issue.

[A prognosis scale for functional outcome at discharge after endovascular thrombectomy in the carotid artery territory]. / Shkala prognozirovaniya rannego funktsional'nogo iskhoda posle vnutrisosudistoi tromboembolektomii pri karotidnom ishemicheskom insul'te.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for early (24 hrs after intervention) prognosis of functional outcome at discharge in patients after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in anterior cerebral circulation based on NIHSS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of endovascular treatment in 362 acute stroke patients (189 men, 173 women, median age 69 years) with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion was performed in the regional vascular centers of St. Petersburg. RESULTS: The original scale (S10-10) developed for prognosis of functional outcome at discharge is based on total scores on 3 patterns: NIHSS 24 hrs after EVT (10 and less - 1, greater than 10 - 2), NIHSS improvement 24 hrs (greater than 10 - 0, 1-10 - 1, 0 and less - 2), older than 78 yr - 1. According to the total score, 5 grades are determined: 1 (good, mRs 0-2 75%, mRs 3-5 25%, mRs 6 0%), 2 (favorable, mRs 0-2 66%, mRs 3-5 26%, mRs 6 8%), 3 (unfavorable, mRs 0-2 14%, mRs 3-5 68%, mRs 6 18%), 4 (unfavorable with high mortality, mRs 0-2 1%, mRs 3-5 52%, mRs 6 47%), 5 (highly negative, mRs 0-2 0%, mRs 3-5 16%, mRs 6 84%). S10-10 greater than 2 indicates unfavorable prognosis. The scale allows accurate prognosis of functional outcome at discharge (AUC 0.89; AUC 0.84 in a validation cohort) and length of in-patient staying and time to death for S10-10 greater than 2. CONCLUSION: Accurate prognosis of functional outcome at discharge can be done 24 hrs after EVT in anterior cerebral circulation based on the widely used neurological scale (NIHSS) taking into account patient age.

[Retrospective analysis of endovascular thrombectomy in anterior cerebral circulation out of 6-hours «therapeutic window¼ in regional vascular centers of Saint-Petersburg]. / Retrospektivnyi analiz rezul'tatov vnutrisosudistoi tromboembolektomii v karotidnom basseine za predelami 6-chasovogo «terapevticheskogo okna¼ v regional'nykh sosudistykh tsentrakh Sankt-Peterburga.

OBJECTIVE: Based on a retrospective analysis, to evaluate technical results and functional outcomes at discharge after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in anterior circulation out of 6-hours «therapeutic window¼ in patients with stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective analysis of EVT in 594 acute stroke patients (303 male, 291 female, median age 69 years) with the anterior circulation large vessel occlusion was performed. EVT was carried out before 6 hrs in 550, later in 44 patients. Time to artery puncture was defined as a cut point. Patients were included in the study if they met the criterion for 0-6 hours «therapeutic window¼. RESULTS: No significant differences in functional outcomes at discharge assessed with the Rankin scale (mRs 0-2 29.8% and 20.5% p<0.19; mRs 3-5 38.7% and 38.6% p<0.99; mRs 6 31.5% and 40.9% p<0.2) and the rates of intracranial haemorrhage, haemorrhagic transformation and symptomatic haemorrhagic transformation (4% and 0% p<0.17; 20.9% and 29.5% p<0.49; 10.1% and 11.4% p<0.78) were observed in patients exposed to EVT before 6 hrs and later. CONCLUSION: EVT in anterior circulation stroke over 6 hrs «therapeutic window¼ based on the criterion for 0-6 hrs provides comparable functional outcomes at discharge without the increase in the frequency of intracranial haemorrhages, haemorrhagic and symptomatic haemorrhagic transformations.

[Segmental agenesis of the cervical internal carotid artery with collateral blood supply from the ascending pharyngeal artery and intercavernous anastomosis: a clinical case and literature review]. / Segmentarnaia ageneziia tservikal'nogo segmenta vnutrennei sonnoi arterii s kollateral'nym krovosnabzheniem iz voskhodiashchei arterii glotki i mezhkavernoznogo anastomoza (klinicheskoe nabliudenie i obzor literatury).

The article presents a clinical case of segmental agenesis of the cervical ICA with collateral blood supply to the ICA territory through the intercavernous anastomosis and ascending pharyngeal artery with the branching primitive stapedial artery - the aberrant ICA variant. A feature of the case is a unique combination of the intercavernous anastomosis and the aberrant ICA, which provide collateral blood flow in cervical ICA agenesis. In the world literature, there are no reports of similar combinations. The discussion provides information on the stages of circle of Willis formation and presents a literature review of cases of intercavernous anastomoses associated with ICA agenesis.

[Outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy for acute stroke in regional vascular centers of a metropolis (St.-Petersburg)]. / Rezul'taty lecheniia ishemicheskogo insul'ta s primeneniem vnutrisosudistoi tromboémboléktomii v usloviiakh regional'nykh sosudistykh tsentrov v megapolise (Sankt-Peterburg).

AIM: To assess technical results and close functional outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients treated with endovascular thrombecomy (ET) in regional vascular centers (RVC) of St-Petersburg. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 183 patients with AIS, including 143 patients with AIS due to a large intracranial vessel occlusion in anterior (AC) and 25 patients in posterior cerebral (PC) circulation, 15 with isolated extracranial carotid occlusion treated in 6 RVC in 2017 was performed. All patients underwent ET. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Effective reperfusion (mTICI 2b-3) was achieved in 71.5% (71.3% AC, 72% PC). On discharge, 35,7% patients had good (mRs 0-2) functional outcome (37.1% AC, 28% PC). The incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (according to ECASS II criteria) was 10.7% (9.1% AC, 20% PC), the mortality was 29.2% (22.4% AC, 68% PC).). The results of our study show the possibility of effective and safe application of ET in patients with AIS in the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation in regional vascular centers of St.-Petersburg.

[Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas. A series of clinical cases and an analysis of the literature data]. / Dural'nye spinal'nye arteriovenoznye fistuly. Seriia sobstvennykh klinicheskikh nabliudenii i analiz dannykh literatury.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) are the most common vascular malformation of the spinal cord, causing segmental lesions of the spinal cord due to venous ischemia. Functional outcomes of treatment in SDAVF patients are favorable, but the rate of improvement varies from 25 to 100%, which complicates prediction of the treatment outcome. AIM: the study aim was to identify a relationship between fistula localization and clinical manifestations and evaluate the effect of disease duration and severity of neurological impairments on immediate and long-term treatment outcomes, based on analysis of the literature and own data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In September 2016, we performed a PubMed search for publications using keywords 'spinal arteriovenous fistula', 'treatment', and 'outcome'. We selected publications containing information on the patient's age, fistula location, disease duration, and evaluation of symptom severity (Aminoff-Logue scale) preoperatively, postoperatively, and at least 3 months after surgery. The analysis also included data on patients operated on at the clinic. A total of 187 patients were included in the analysis. RESULTS: The fistula was most often located at the T6, T7, and T9 level, with motor disorders being more severe for fistulas located at or below the T9 vertebra. Surgical isolation of the fistula improved the functional state of patients, with patients under the age of 60 years having a better prognosis for recovery of impaired functions. Motor disorders significantly regressed in the early postoperative period in all patients, but in the long-term period, there was worsening of motor disorders in patients with a better baseline functional state.

[Severe carotid stenosis: cerebral autoregulation in the ipsilateral region]. / Kriticheskie stenozy vnutrennikh sonnykh arterii: tserebral'naia autoreguliatsiia v ipsilateral'nom basseine.

AIM: To study cerebral autoregulation (CA) in region of the stenotic carotid artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 35 patients with critical stenosis of the carotid arteries, including 24 patients were asymptomatic and 11 patients with symptomatic course. Blood flow velocity in middle cerebral arteries was monitored using Multi Dop X (DWL, Germany) with simultaneous noninvasive systemic blood pressure registration (CNAP, Austria). CA was assessed by calculating the phase shift (PS) between spontaneous oscillations of blood flow velocity and blood pressure within the range of systemic Mayer waves (80-120 mHz). RESULTS: In 18 patients, the CA indicators were in the normal range (PS 1.2±0.3 rad). Seventeen patients, including asymptomatic as well as symptomatic types, had impaired CA (PS 0.2±0.2 rad and 0.3±0.2 rad, respectively). Reconstructive surgery, irrespective of clinical manifestations, led to the significant increase in PS (p<0.001) in the early postoperative period (0.9±0.5 and 0.9±0.3 rad, respectively). CONCLUSION: A significant variability in the cerebrovascular reserve capacity in symptomatic and asymptomatic types of carotid artery stenosis was found. CA can be used in determining the indications for surgical treatment and evaluation of its effectiveness in patients with stenosis of carotid arteries.

[Dopplerographic predictors of cognitive status dynamics of patients after carotid angioplasty with stenting].

The authors present dopplerographic predictors of cognitive status dynamics of patients undergoing carotid angioplasty with stenting. It was stated that the cognitive status dynamics depended on the initial condition of patients and reactivity coefficient on hypercapnia in target vascular pool.

[Aggressive vertebral hemangiomas: optimization of management tactics].

Today vertebral hemangioma is not completely understood entity, neither its pathogenesis nor optimal treatment is determined. Nowadays in majority of clinics in this country ineffective radiotherapy remains the first-line treatment. We analyzed results of treatment of 205 patients (286 lesions) with aggressive hemangiomas operated in Department of Neurosurgery of Military Medical Academy and Department of Nuclear Medicine of of Russian Scientific Center of Radiological and Surgical Technologies (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) since 1999 till 2009. Percutaneus vertebroplasty was performed in 167 lesions, radiotherapy was applied in 119 aggressive hemangiomas. Vertebroplasty is more effective for treatment of aggressive hemangiomas in comparison with radiotherapy. Signs of hemangiomas aggression, indications for surgery, and tactics of management were determined. Use of percutaneous vertebroplasty for treatment of aggressive hemangiomas resulted in fast recovery of the patients. This procedure is minimally invasive, it reduces hospital stay and duration of recovery.

[Initial experience of using XperCT in neurosurgery].

Modern angiographic complexes allow performing emulation of computed tomography (CT). Comparison of the resolving power of XperCT and CT indicated sufficient sensitivity of the new technology in detection of focal lesions of the brain, the possibility of its application in interventional neuroradiology. The application of XperGuide allows control the position of the instrument during operation directly without using additional equipment of moving the patient. The application of XperGuide decreases the risk of intra- and early postoperative complications.

[Therapeutic management for iatrogenic injury of great arteries during transnasal surgery of tumors of the hypophysis].

Results of clinical examination and surgical treatment of 1022 patients with tumors of the hypophysis were analyzed. All the patients were operated upon by transsphenoidal endoscopic approach during the recent 10 years. Complications were observed in 76 (7.4%) patients. Most serious of them were: intraoperative mechanical injury of the right internal carotid artery and contact rupture of a large aneurysm of the internal carotid artery falsely diagnosed as craniopharyngioma. In both cases urgent intravascular interventions were necessary which resulted in relief of symptoms and recovery of the patients.

[Multimodal neuronavigation and intraoperative ultrasound visualization in the surgery of intracranial tumors].

The author presents an analysis of using neuronavigation and intraoperative ultrasound in 317 patients after surgical treatment of intracranial tumors. High efficacy of the intraoperative ultrasound visualization has been shown in the detection of remaining parts of the intracranial tumor, improved radical surgery and less lesion to the brain. The strategy of using neuronavigation and intraoperative ultrasound visualization with the tumor size (volume) taken into consideration has been developed.

[The potentials of spiral computed tomography in the diagnosis of lesions of the extracranial carotid arteries]. / Vozmozhnosi spiral'noi komp'iuternoi tomografii v diagnostike porazhenii ékstrakranial'nogo otdela sonnykh arterii.

The paper summarizes the results of examination of 30 individuals aged 27 to 66 years who had extracranial carotid lesions by using computed tomographic angiography (CTA), computed tomography, Doppler ultrasonography, power Doppler imaging, digital subtraction angiography. A procedure for CTA and analysis of data and for determination of the degree of stenosis has been developed. The potentialities of CTA in visualization of extracranial carotid diseases are shown.