[Neurosurgeon training: current problems and modern approaches]. / Obuchenie neirokhirurga: aktual'nye problemy i sovremennye podkhody.

Analysis of historical and modern approaches to teaching neurosurgery by professional communities and public authorities in the United States, the European Union and the Russian Federation makes it possible to develop a modern training program regarding content and duration. High-tech and dynamically developing specialty has acquired several large sub-specializations over the past decades. Each direction requires a long-term training and a special program. Training in neurosurgery in the modern world takes 5-7 years and involves acquisition of clinical and scientific knowledge. Some issues are brought up for discussion by professional community. Solution of these problems will provide an opportunity for international integration of the Russian training program for neurosurgeons. High level of neurosurgery in our country and a single educational space with the European community will allow exchanging students, adopting foreign experience and sharing our own experience.

[Memories of Isaak Savelievich Babchin. By the 125th anniversary]. / Vospominaniya ob Isaake Savel'eviche Babchine. K 125-letiyu so dnya rozhdeniya.

Among the founders of Russian neurosurgery Isaac Savelyevich Babchin was the longest-living - almost 94 years! Frail physically, he preserved his powerful intellect. How wise and critical was his concluding speech at his 90th anniversary at the Polenov Institute!

[Yu.M. Filatov (by the 90th anniversary)]. / Yurii Mikhailovich Filatov. K 90-letiyu so dnya rozhdeniya.

May 7, 2021 was the 90th anniversary of the birth of an outstanding Russian neurosurgeon, corresponding member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Laureate of the State Prize of USSR, Professor Yury Mikhailovich Filatov.

[Clinical and MRI predictors of coma duration, intensive care and outcome of traumatic brain injury]. / Klinicheskie i magnitno-rezonansnye tomograficheskie prediktory dlitel'nosti komy, ob"ema intensivnoi terapii i iskhodov pri cherepno-mozgovoi travme.

OBJECTIVE: This research is aimed to study the clinical and MRI predictors of coma duration, the intensity of critical care, and outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data from 309 patients with TBI of varying severity were included in the analysis, of whom 257 (86.7%) were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU), including 196 (63.4%) patients admitted in a comatose state lasting longer than 1 day. All patients underwent brain MRI within 21 days after the injury. MRI findings were classified according to MRI grading scale of brain damage level and localization proposed previously. RESULTS: The proposed MRI grading significantly correlated with the Glasgow coma (GCS, r=-0.67; p<0.0001) and Glasgow outcome (0.69; p<0.001) scores in the entire group. In a subgroup of comatose patients (GCS<9) it correlated with coma duration (r=0.52; p<0.0001). Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between the MRI classification and a number of parameters: ICU length of stay (r=0.62; p<0.0001), the duration of artificial ventilation (r=0.47; p<0.0001), the rate of artificial ventilation, sedatives, analgesics, mannitol, hypertonic saline and vasopressors usage (p<0.01). These data confirm the relationship between higher grades of MRI classification (deep brain damage) and the need for the escalation of intensive care main components. CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that the levels and localization of brain damage, estimated by the proposed MRI grading scale, might be predictors of coma duration, intensity and duration of intensive care, and TBI outcomes. A prognosis based on clinical and neuroimaging data comparison can be valuable for planning and efficient use of the hospital beds and ICU resources, for optimizing the patient flow and timing of patient transfer to neurorehabilitation facilities.

[Modern aspects of reconstructive surgery of skull defects]. / Sovremennye aspekty rekonstruktivnoi khirurgii defektov cherepa.

The aim of this study is to systematize the modern methods used for reconstruction of extensive and complex skull defects. Special attention is paid to computer technologies, including 3D imaging and CAD/CAM. Laser-based stereolithography is thoroughly reviewed among other additive technologies. We present our view of the problem associated with proper timing of cranioplasty and choice of materials for it. Complications of skull defect reconstruction are also discussed.

[Neurosurgery in Moscow: clinic - institute - ational center]. / Moskovskaia neirokhirurgiia: klinika - institut - Natsional'nyi tsentr.

In 1929, a surgeon N.N. Burdenko and a neurologist V.V. Kramer founded the first neurosurgical clinic in Moscow, which was reorganized to the Institute of Neurosurgery in 1932. The Institute has come a long way through military and peaceful years, overcoming all sorts of obstacles. It has constantly developed, built, and modernized, and now this is the National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery. In this article, we describe the history of the Institute/Center and its staff who have had a significant impact on the development of domestic and global neurosurgery.

[CSF shunting surgery in patients with post-traumatic hydrocephalus in the vegetative status and minimally conscious state: analysis of its efficacy and safety]. / Likvoroshuntiruiushchie operatsii u patsientov s posttravmaticheskoi gidrotsefaliei v vegetativnom statuse i sostoianii minimal'nogo soznaniia: analiz éffektivnosti i bezopasnosti.

The development of post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) after severe traumatic brain injury can cause, in some cases, severe impairment of consciousness and prevent rehabilitation of patients. The influence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation disorders on processes of consciousness recovery is a fundamental problem that requires in-depth research. The issues of differential diagnosis, results of surgical treatment of PTH, and its complications in patients in the vegetative status (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) remain poorly covered. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the long-term outcomes of surgical treatment in 82 PTH patients in the VS (38 cases) and MCS (44 cases). RESULTS: A significant clinical improvement occurred in 60.6% of VS patients and in 65.9% of MCS patients. The rate of shunt infection was high and amounted to 21.05% in the group of VS patients and 20.4% in the group of MCS patients. The rate of shunt system dysfunction was 26.05% in the first group and 20.4% in the second group. Postoperative mortality (associated directly with treatment complications) was 3.6%. Total mortality was 10.9%. DISCUSSION: The positive effect of shunting surgery in patients with gross impairment of consciousness was associated with transition to higher levels of consciousness. The high rate of complications, especially infections, was due to a serious condition of patients and comorbidities, in particular chronic infection foci. Shunt system dysfunction was not a factor of the adverse outcome of surgical treatment because rarely led to irreversible consequences, but required repeated surgery. Mortality after shunting surgery was significantly higher in patients with gross impairment of consciousness than in other groups of patients. We found a correlation between deaths in VS patients and shunt infection in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: CSF shunting surgery is an important step in surgical rehabilitation of PTH patients. To assess the contribution of various risk factors to the development of shunt infection and to develop measures reducing its rate, further prospective studies are needed.

[Modern approaches to the diagnosis of head injury]. / Printsipy sovremennoi diagnostiki cherepno-mozgovoi travmy.

The diagnosis of head injury should be based on certain principles. Each of them is important and has its own history. The authors summarize the experience of treatment of head injury using clinical and neuroimaging methods at the NN Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute (now the NN Burdenko National Research Center for Neurosurgery) for more than 30 years. The following principles of diagnosis of head injury were suggested and tested in clinical practice: severity of patient's state; clinical syndromes; topical diagnosis; neuroimaging; phasicity; age-related approach; data synthesis; sufficiency; individual approach. Taken together, these principles provide complete personalized diagnosis and prognosis which allow choosing an optimal management of the patient. The strategy for better diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of head injury is the combined use of clinical, neuroimaging and ethical approaches.

[Modern diagnostics and treatment of posttraumatic hydrocephalus]. / Sovremennaia diagnostika i lechenie posttravmaticheskoi gidrotsefalii.

One of the frequent consequences of severe traumatic brain injury is posttraumatic hydrocephalus that not only hampers the processes of consciousness recovery, rehabilitation, and social adaptation of patients but also is the cause of disability. Pathological processes underlying the clinical picture of posttraumatic hydrocephalus and the relationship between CSF circulation disorders and structural changes in the brain substance have not been adequately studied. Of particular importance are patients in the chronic vegetative or minimally conscious state, recovery from which is blocked by posttraumatic hydrocephalus. The question of reversibility of impaired consciousness depending on the disease duration has remained open. High risks of purulent-inflammatory complications of shunting surgery are especially important in patients with chronic infection foci (tracheostomy, gastrostomy, epicystostomy, prolonged bladder catheterization, pressure ulcers, etc.), but their actual effect on the shunting outcomes has not been revealed. Posttraumatic hydrocephalus remains a topical neurosurgical problem requiring clarification of its diagnostic criteria, differentiation from atrophy-related ventriculomegaly, and comprehensive development of pathogenetic and therapeutic aspects.

[The history of surgery for brain and spinal cord vascular pathology at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute (to the 50th anniversary of foundation of the First Neurovascular Department)]. / Istoriya khirurgii sosudistoi patologii golovnogo i spinnogo mozga v Institute neirokhirurgii im. akad. N.N. Burdenko (k 50-letiyu osnovaniya pervogo neirososudistogo otdeleniya).

The Vascular Department of the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute is one of the country's first dedicated departments engaged in treatment of patients with cerebrovascular diseases. The modern vascular service of the Institute is represented by several departments and groups: the Department of Microsurgical Treatment of Vascular Diseases, a group of Reconstructive Brachiocephalic Surgery, and the Department of Endovascular Surgery and Neurodiagnosis that is also engaged in intra-arterial chemotherapy and angiographic diagnosis. The neurovascular service of the Institute is a rightful leader of Russia in the number operations and their complexity: patients with the most serious and unusual pathologies are referred to the Institute from across the country. The achievements of the service are based on science and clinical practice that underlie progressive improvement in the diagnosis, surgical methodology, and recovery of neurovascular patients. On November 02, 2016, the Vascular Department of the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its foundation.

[Guidelines for the management of severe traumatic brain injury. Part 3. Surgical management of severe traumatic brain injury (Options)].

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the main causes of mortality and severe disability in young and middle age patients. Patients with severe TBI, who are in coma, are of particular concern. Adequate diagnosis of primary brain injuries and timely prevention and treatment of secondary injury mechanisms markedly affect the possibility of reducing mortality and severe disability. The present guidelines are based on the authors' experience in developing international and national recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of mild TBI, penetrating gunshot wounds of the skull and brain, severe TBI, and severe consequences of brain injury, including a vegetative state. In addition, we used the materials of international and national guidelines for the diagnosis, intensive care, and surgical treatment of severe TBI, which were published in recent years. The proposed recommendations for surgical treatment of severe TBI in adults are addressed primarily to neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists, anesthesiologists, and intensivists who are routinely involved in treating these patients.

[Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of severe traumatic brain injury. Part 2. Intensive care and neuromonitoring].

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of death and disability in young and middle-aged people. The most problematic group is comprised of patients with severe TBI who are in a coma. The adequate diagnosis of primary brain injuries and timely prevention and treatment of the secondary injury mechanisms largely define the possibility of reducing mortality and severe disabling consequences. When developing these guidelines, we used our experience in the development of international and national recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury, penetrating gunshot wounds to the skull and brain, severe traumatic brain injury, and severe consequences of brain injuries, including a vegetative state. In addition, we used international and national guidelines for the diagnosis, intensive care, and surgical treatment of severe traumatic brain injury, which had been published in recent years. The proposed guidelines concern intensive care of severe TBI in adults and are particularly intended for neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists, anesthesiologists, and intensivists who are routinely involved in the treatment of these patients.

[Guidelines for the management of severe head injury. Part 1. Neurotrauma system and neuroimaging].

Traumatic brain injury is one of the main causes of mortality and disability in young and middle-aged individuals. The patients with severe traumatic brain injury who are in coma are the most difficult to deal with. Appropriate diagnosis of the primary brain injuries and early prevention and treatment of secondary damage mechanisms largely determine the possibility of reducing mortality and severe disabling consequences. The authors compiled these guidelines based on their experience in development of international and Russian recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury, penetrating gunshot injury of the skull and brain, severe traumatic brain injury, and severe consequences of brain injuries, including a vegetative state. In addition, we used the materials of international and Russian recommendations on the diagnosis, intensive care, and surgical treatment of severe traumatic brain injury published in recent years. The proposed recommendations are related to organization of medical care and diagnosis of severe traumatic brain injury in adults and are primarily addressed to neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists, anesthesiologists, and emergency room doctors, who are routinely involved in management of these patients.

[The use of intravascular hypothermia to correct intracranial hypertension in patients with severe traumatic brain injury].

OBJECTIVE: Assess to impact hypothermia on ABP, CPP, ICP and cerebral autoregulation. Material and methods. 14 patients with TBI (GOS<9) underwent hypothermia by Thermogard system within 32-35 °C (Zoll, USA). ICP was measured intraparenchymal by Codman sensor. Cerebral autoregulation was estimated by correlation coefficient Prx (Soft ICM Plus, Cambridge, UK). Temperature was measured in urinary bladder. There were selected five time periods: 1 - phase of initial state, 2 - phase of induction hypothermia, 3 - phase of hypothermia, 4 - phase of rewarming, 5 - phase after finishing hypothermia. All data preset as Mediana (min; max). Stat analysis was perfomed using Soft Statistica 10.0. Results. Phase 1 lasted nearly 7 (2; 12) h, ABP 94 (81; 102), CPP - 73 (52; 87), ICP 27 (16; 45) mm Hg, Prx 0,25 (-0,15; 0,7), temperature 38,2 °C (37; 39,8). Phase 2: 5 (2; 12) h, ABP 95 (85; 114), CPP 80 (65; 96), ICP 18 (10; 22) mm Hg, Prx -0,055 (-0,15; 0,7), temperature 35,2 °C (34,5; 35,5). Phase 3: 55 (20; 100) h, there were not significant changed ABP, CPP, Prx, ICP 15 (10; 18) mm Hg, temperature was 33,5 °C (32; 34,7). Phase 4: 17 (8; 24) h, ABP 90 (70; 100), CPP 77 (55; 85), ICP 15 (9; 27) mm Hg and Prx 0,2 (-0,2; 0,32). Temperature 36,9 °C (35,9; 38,5). Phase 5: 20 (6; 240) h, ABP 87(53; 110), CPP 72 (47; 107), ICP 17 (10; 32) mm Hg and Prx 0,2 (-0,2; 0,6). Temperature 37,7 °C (36,7; 39,0). Conclusion. Hypothermia is an effective method for correction of intracranial hypertension. Hypothermia can use as a additional option of intensive care during refractory intracranial hypertension. Rewarming phase is the most dangerous time on the re-development of intracranial hypertension and disruption of autoregulation.

[Neuroanatomical basis for traumatic coma: clinical and magnetic resonance correlates].

In this paper, the relationship between brain lesion localization (verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) and the severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its outcomes is presented. Magnetic resonance studies in different modes (T1, T2, FLAIR, DWI, DTI, T2 * GRE, SWAN) were performed in 162 patients with acute TBI. Statistical analysis was done using Statistica 6, 8 software and R programming language. A new advanced MRI-based classification of TBI was introduced implying the assessment of hemispheric and brainstem traumatic lesions level and localization. Statistically significant correlations were found between the Glasgow coma and outcome scales scores (p < 0.001), and the proposed MRI grading scale scores, which means a high prognostic value of the new classification. The knowledge of injured brain microanatomy coming from sensitive neuroimaging, in conjunction with the assessment of mechanisms, aggravating factors and clinical manifestation of brain trauma is the basis for the actual predictive model of TBI. The proposed advanced MRI classification contributes to this concept development.

[Modern technology in the surgical treatment of head injury sequelae].

The paper presents main types of surgically relevant posttraumatic lesions in 4136 patients with skull vault as well as skull base defects, craniofacial deformities, recurrent CSF leaks, arterio-venous fistulas, aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms etc. Classification of TBI sequelae and complications as well as its clinical course grading is presented. The use of modern neuroimaging techniques for studying pathophysiologic mechanisms and complications of TBI has been demonstrated. Special emphasis was given to minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery; computer modeling with subsequent full-copy stereolitographic laser implant setup was shown which is of great importance in cases of large and complex skull base and craniofacial deformities. Patient selection for transcranial and endonasal CSF leak closure techniques was justified. Treatment of post-traumatic vascular injuries using Serbinenko balloon-catheters as well as modern techniques such as stents, coils and embolization has been demonstrated.