[Supratentorial neuroepithelial tumor with PLAGL1 gene fusion - a new type of morphologically variable pediatric brain neoplasm defined by a distinct DNA methylation class. A case report and literature review]. / Supratentorial'naya neiroepitelial'naya opukhol' so sliyaniem gena PLAGL1 u detei ­ novyi tip opukholi mozga s raznoobraznoi morfologicheskoi kartinoi i otlichitel'nym metilyatsionnym profilem(sluchai iz praktiki i obzor literatury).

BACKGROUND: Methylation analysis has become a powerful diagnostic tool in modern neurooncology. This technique is valuable to diagnose new brain tumor types. OBJECTIVE: To describe the MRI and histological pattern of neuroepithelial tumor with PLAGL1 gene fusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a 6-year-old patient with small right frontal intraaxial tumor causing drug resistant epilepsy. Despite indolent preoperative clinical course and MRI features suggesting glioneuronal tumor, histological evaluation revealed characteristics of high-grade glioma, ependymoma and neuroblastoma. RESULTS: Methylation analysis of tumor DNA confirmed a new type of a recently discovered neoplasm - neuroepithelial tumor with PLAGL1 fusion (NET PLAGL1). PCR confirmed fusion of PLAGL1 and EWSR1 genes. No seizures were observed throughout the follow-up period. There was no tumor relapse a year after surgery. CONCLUSION: Methylation analysis in neurooncology is essential for unclear tumor morphology or divergence between histological and clinical data. In our case, this technique confirmed benign nature of tumor, and we preferred follow-up without unnecessary adjuvant treatment.

[Small pelvis lipoma spreading to the gluteal region]. / Lipoma malogo taza i yagodichnoi oblasti.

We present a 36-year-old woman with small pelvis lipoma spreading to the gluteal region through the greater sciatic foramen. Resection of lipoma was performed via two accesses (lower median laparotomy and semilunar incision in the gluteal region). The tumor was the content of sciatic hernia that is extremely rare. Combination of surgical approaches can provide favorable outcomes in these patients.

[Modern aspects to the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of low back pain]. / Sovremennye podkhody k diagnostike i nekhirurgicheskomu lecheniyu boli v nizhnei chasti spiny.

Low back pain is one of the most common complaints in primary care. This pain is usually nonspecific and musculoskeletal. However, identification and exclusion of specific causes of pain as early as possible are important for specialists since their underestimation can sometimes lead to life-threatening consequences. The authors analyze literature data on the key facts of anamnesis («red flags¼), management of patients with low back pain with emphasis on modern concepts and recommendations for diagnostics, identifying the dominant nature and cause of pain, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic significance of neuroimaging. Special attention is paid to existing options for conservative (drug and non-drug therapy) and interventional treatment methods, which have become increasingly popular in recent years.

[Long-term epilepsy-associated tumors]. / Glioneironal'nye opukholi, assotsiirovannye s epilepsiei.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this review is to summarize data concerning radiological and histological diagnosis of epileptogenic tumors, as well as to discuss their surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed literature database was searched for relevant articles, we also used our own clinical experience. RESULTS: Benign glioneuronal tumors are the second most common cause of drug resistant epilepsy in adults after hippocampal sclerosis. Exceptionally slow growth (more than 2 years), localization in the brain cortex, presence of differentiated neuronal tissue in tumoral body and long history of epilepsy are the key features of these tumors called LEAT (long-term epilepsy-associated tumors). Management of LEAT requires epileptological as well as neurooncological approach. The epileptogenic zone commonly spreads beyond the tumor borders and simple lesionectomy alone may not be sufficient for achieving seizure freedom. CONCLUSION: LEAT typically exhibit low proliferative activity, however they should be thoroughly differentiated from more aggressive glial tumors; while this task is sometimes quite challenging, it's achievable by means of histological and immunohistochemical examination.

[Potential complications of patient positioning in spine surgery]. / Vozmozhnye oslozhneniya pozitsionirovaniya neirokhirurgicheskikh patsientov pri operatsiyakh na pozvonochnike.

Patient position on the operating table during spine surgery is important for optimal intraoperative manipulations. However, this position is far from physiological one. An unnatural position, surgery time and sometimes necessary intraoperative change in body position can lead to certain neurological and somatic complications. Most of these events can significantly reduce the patient's working capacity and quality of life and even result disability. Medical staff placing the patient on operating table, neurosurgeons and anesthesiologists should be aware of risk factors of similar complications and their prevention. The authors describe the most serious and difficult for correction conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, damage to visual analyzer, as well as optimal method of patient positioning.

[Minimally invasive surgery and modern view on the treatment of degenerative spine diseases]. / Opyt minimal'no invazivnoi khirurgii i sovremennyi vzglyad na lechenie degenerativnykh porazhenii pozvonochnika.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and analyze the results of minimally invasive spine surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective quantitative analysis of surgical interventions for the period 2011-2018 was carried out. All procedures were performed at the neurosurgical department of the Neurology Research Center. Structure and effectiveness of minimally invasive interventions were reported. RESULTS: There were over 800 endoscopic minimally invasive interventions on the lumbar spine and 127 procedures on the cervical spine. For the period from 2011 to 2018, we found an increase in the number of minimally invasive interventions (104 endoscopic discectomies in 2018), active use of percutaneous approaches (87 operations in 2018) along with microsurgical discectomy (81 operations in 2018). The total efficiency of the methods ranges from 91.42% to 95.69%. CONCLUSION: Own results and literature data confirm the validity and expediency of surgical treatment of patients with degenerative-dystrophic spine diseases. Highly effective and safe minimally invasive surgery should be preferred in these cases.

[Modern concepts of intervertebral disc degeneration]. / Sovremennye kontseptsii degeneratsii mezhpozvonkovykh diskov.

The widespread prevalence of degenerative spine diseases and achievements in the treatment of these lesions have not yet led to an answer the main question: «What is the etiology of spine degeneration?¼ Treatment will remain symptomatic if primary cause of disease will be unclear. However, improvement of genetic and molecular survey gradually clarifies the mechanisms underlying degenerative processes. The latest knowledge in regenerative medicine seem promising. Nevertheless, further advances in understanding the fundamental processes in human organism are followed by additional questions and unsolved problems. The authors analyzed the best-studied modern theories of degeneration in this brief review devoted to current concepts of intervertebral disc degeneration.

[General hydro galvanic baths in the treatment of patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy]. / Obshchie gidrogal'vanicheskie vanny v lechenii patsientov s poyasnichno-kresttsovoi radikulopatiei.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrogalvanic baths are a hydrotherapy method based on the combined effect of electric current and fresh water on the body. AIM OF STUDY: Scientific evidence and evaluation of the effectiveness of use of general hydrogalvanic baths in the treatment of patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy with the background of degenerative spinal disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized comparative clinical trial included 84 patients. The 1st (active) group included 43 patients, the 2nd (control) had 41 patients. Patients of the 1st group received general hydrogalvanic baths. Patients in the control group - drug treatment, including NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants. The assessment was carried out before treatment, at the end of the course (on the 14th day) and 3 months after the end of treatment according to the results of neurological examination, VAS questionnaires, Pain DETECT, Beck scale, Oswestry scale, SF-36 scales, electroneuromyography (nerve conduction study). RESULTS: In patients receiving general hydrogalvanic baths, in comparison with the control group, there was an improvement in sensitivity (the incidence of hypesthesia decreased from 77 to 11%, p=0.008) and conductivity in peripheral sensory fibers. A decrease in pain was observed in both groups, however, a decrease in neuropathic pain was recorded only in patients receiving drug treatment. In the 1st group during therapy, an improvement in the emotional state in patients and a decrease in the level of depression were revealed. An analysis of long-term results showed that the delayed effect of non-drug treatment significantly increased in patients of the 1st group in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to general hydrogalvanic baths is an effective way to treat lumbosacral radiculopathy, the main registered effects are: improvement of sensitivity, reduction of pain and stabilization of the emotional background. However, the studied method does not affect neuropathic pain.

[Hydrogalvanic baths as a method of medical rehabilitation: a literature review and the prospects for the clinical application].

The hydrogalvanic baths provide a tool for the combined application of warm fresh water and low frequency electric current. These procedures are suitable for both systemic and local treatments. The mechanism behind their therapeutic action is based on synergistic effect of two therapeutic agents. This article presents the literature and historical review of the method as well as the current concept of hydrohalvanic therapy. The history of its development is associated with the improvement of the technical equipment and accumulation of clinical experience. Numerous studies carried out up to the present time have demonstrated that hydrohalvanic therapy can be effectively applied for the treatment of diabetic angiopathy, rheumatoid and gouty arthritis, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis. At the same time, the high potential of this method remains underestimated. At present, one of the most promising approaches to its clinical applications is the treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy caused by degenerative vertebral disk lesions. The hydrogalvanic baths have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant effects, improve microcirculation, and reduce sensory impairment. It is necessary to continue clinical investigations to obtain further evidence of the effectiveness of the method under consideration for the treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy and to evaluate its short- and long-term effects. Their results will hopefully provide an opportunity to include the hydrogalvanic baths in the programs of medical rehabilitation of the patients presenting with lumbosacral radiculopathy.

[Unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy in the treatment of drug-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease]. / Odnostoronniaia posteroventral'naia pallidotomiia v lechenii lekarstvennykh diskinezii pri bolezni Parkinsona.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the efficacy of unilateral posteroventral pallidotomy (PVP) in the treatment of drug-induced dyskinesia (DID) in Parkinson's disease (PD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed surgical treatment of 14 patients with PD complicated by DID who underwent unilateral PVP at the Research Center of Neurology in the period between 2012 and 2015. The clinical type of DID was mainly represented by peak-dose choreoathetoid dyskinesia, more pronounced in the distal limbs, and predominantly unilateral. The severity of drug-induced dyskinesia was assessed on the UPDRS scale (part IV-A) before surgery and at 1 week and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: One week after pallidotomy, all of the 14 patients had a regression of contralateral dyskinesia by 68.3±9.7%; 50% of patients had a regression of ipsilateral dyskinesias by 43%, on average. In 50% of cases, the dose of levodopa was reduced by 15%, on average. On examination at 6 months after surgery, regression of contralateral dyskinesia was 55.7±8.8%, and the severity of ipsilateral DID returned to the preoperative level. The use of pallidotomy significantly improved the indicators of daily activity and quality of life of patients. There were no significant postoperative complications. Three patients had mild speech disorders in the form of dysarthria, which regressed 2-3 weeks after surgery.

[The first experience with a new technique of portal endoscopic discectomy for herniated cervical discs]. / Pervyi opyt primeneniya novoi tekhniki portal'noi endoskopicheskoi diskektomii pri gryzhakh mezhpozvonkovykh diskov sheinogo otdela pozvonochnika.

Choosing the most appropriate tactics for surgical treatment of herniated cervical discs is a topical issue to be discussed. The idea of herniated disc removal using an endoscopic technique is not new. This is routine surgery for the lumbar spine. However, application of endoscopic techniques in surgery on the cervical spine was first reported only in 2014 (J. Yang, et al.). OBJECTIVE: To master the methodology of a new technique, portal endoscopic discectomy, and define the indications for this surgery on herniated cervical discs; to compare outcomes of this surgery with outcomes of anterior microsurgical discectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 25 patients who underwent portal endoscopic cervical discectomy. A comparison group consisted of 25 patients who underwent anterior microsurgical discectomy and placement of an interbody cage. RESULTS: A comparison of the results of surgeries revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the degree of postoperative local and radicular pain syndrome. According to the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a significant improvement occurred in patients with endoscopic surgery. According to the Odom criterion, a significant advantage in the number of excellent and good outcomes occurred in patients of the study group. There were significant differences between groups in the duration of postoperative hospital stay. The duration was 3 days in the study group and 5 days in the control group, on average. CONCLUSION: Portal endoscopic discectomy is highly efficient in treatment of herniated cervical discs and enables achieving clinical outcomes associated with much less surgical trauma. The study demonstrates not only the efficacy of the suggested technique but also its safety compared to that of traditional anterior microsurgical techniques that usually involve interbody fusion. This surgery surpasses other interventions in the rate of rehabilitation and social adaptation of patients as well as reduces postoperative hospital stay.

[Experience in the use of high-frequency selective percutaneous rhizotomy in trigeminal neuralgia associated with multiple sclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: the study was aimed at assessment of the efficacy of percutaneous high frequency selective rhizotomy (PHFSR) after failure of conservative treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in multiple sclerosis (MS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 28 patients with TN associated with MS who underwent percutaneous rhizotomy in the period from 2000 to 2014 was performed. All patients were definitely diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald criteria (version of 2001, 2005, and 2010). The patients were divided by age, gender, and the trigeminal nerve branches involved in the process. The patients' condition was evaluated at different times after surgery. RESULTS: Good outcomes in the form of pain syndrome regression were achieved in 100% of the patients. A disease recurrence was observed in 6 (21%) patients during a follow-up period of 3 months to 14 years. Dysesthesia complications occurred in 4 (14%) patients. There were no deaths and severe complications. The percentage of minor complications was low. CONCLUSION: These data confirm that PHFSR is a safe, repeatable, and effective method of symptomatic neurosurgical treatment of TN associated with MS and may be recommended in the case of failure/intolerance of medication.

[Experience of endoscopic removal of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage].

AIM: This study was aimed at assessing the efficacy of endoscopic technique in surgery for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This paper focus on our experience (11 cases) of endoscopic removal of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. The paper presents examples of endoscopic removal of hematomas located in the basal ganglia (9 cases) and in the posterior fossa (2 cases), causing occlusion at the fourth ventricle. In 3 patients (27%) with intraventricular hemorrhage, the removal of acute hematomas from the ventricular system with simultaneous endoscopic triple ventriculostomy was performed. Intervention was carried out within the first 6 hours in patients with hemispheric hematomas (in 90% of cases) and within 3-5 hours in patients with PCF hematomas. RESULTS: The article analyzes the functional outcomes in the early and late postoperative period. Complete regression of neurological symptoms was achieved in 4 (36%) patients and the remaining 7 (64%) patients had a moderate disability at discharge. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, endoscopic removal of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is a promising method that meets all existing aspects of modern neurosurgery. The combination of rigid and flexible endoscopy provides new capabilities in surgery of patients with intraventricular hemorrhage.

[Surgical treatment of severe spondylogenic cervical myelopathy by laminoplasty].

AIM: The objective of this study is to analyze the results of surgical treatment of patients with cervical myelopathy by laminoplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experience of surgical treatment of 30 patients (mean age 59.4) with cervical stenosis complicated with myelopathy was analyzed. Hirabayashi laminoplasty was performed in 26 patients and Kurokawa laminoplasty was performed in 4 patients. All patients were diagnosed with extended cervical spinal stenosis. Diagnosis was based on the survey RESULTS: including the dynamic clinical and neurological examination, x-ray study, CT, MRI, SSEP, and TMS. Nurick scale, the scale of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), and the recovery rate scale were used to assess the severity of myelopathy. RESULTS: The long-term outcome of the clinical status, radiographic and neuroimaging parameters in patients with cervical myelopathy who underwent laminoplasty was evaluated. CONCLUSION: Laminoplasty is the method of choice in the treatment of extended spondylogenic cervical stenosis. Proper selection of patients based on clinical symptoms, assessment of the extent of stenosis, neurological examination and neuroimaging data leads to excellent results.

[Surgical treatment of the internal carotid artery atherosclerotic occlusion].

Internal carotid artery occlusion is the cause of carotid territory transient ischemic attacks or infarction approximately in 15% of patients. Extracranial-lntracranial (EC-IC) Bypass Study and Carotid Occlusion Surgery Study (COSS) failed to show a benefit of EC-IC bypass over medical therapy in patients with symptomatic carotid artery occlusion. Weak sides of COSS were investigators reliance on post hoc analysis, use of specific thresholds in the definition of impaired cerebral hemodynamics and high perioperative morbidity. In selected subset of patients with medically refractory ischemic symptoms, EC-IC bypass, can provide benefit from surgery performed with sufficiently low perioperative morbidity. The potential of functional and cognitive improvement after cerebral revascularization needs further investigation.

[A comparative analysis of the effectiveness and potential of endoscopic and microsurgical resection of disc herniations in the lumbosacral spine].

The issue of advantage of endoscopic treatment of spinal disc herniations is debatable. Throughout the development, endoscopic technologies have been compared to microsurgical methods. The two-year experience of applying endoscopic methods was analyzed. The study included 183 patients. The effectiveness of the performed treatment was evaluated according to the MacNab scale of surgical treatment outcomes. Good and excellent results were obtained in 170 cases, which amounted to 92.9%. This cure rate was compared to the similar rate for good and excellent results of the microsurgical treatment method derived from the literature data. The article by American authors who conducted a multicenter study (Lumbar microdiscectomy: a historical perspective and current technical considerations. Koebbe C.J., Maroon J.C., Abla A., El-Kadi H., Bost J. Neurosurg Focus 2002 Aug 15; 13(2): E3) was used. On the basis of this study, the data on higher effectiveness of endoscopic discectomy compared to the microsurgical technique were obtained. The technical capabilities of the endoscopic method for removing spinal disc herniations in comparison to minimally invasive microsurgical techniques were carefully analyzed. It was noted that there were no significant instrumental limitations for using endoscopic techniques, while angled optics and excellent color rendition enable better visualization of the surgical wound structures and more efficient use of the approach space. Given that the technical characteristics and capabilities of this method are not inferior to those of the microsurgical technique, the former technology can be used instead of the standard technique for removing intervertebral disc herniations. Furthermore, the technical capabilities of the method allow performing wide decompression of the neural structures during surgery, which can be used to treat spinal stenoses.

[Flexible endoscopy in surgical treatment of spinal adhesive arachnoiditis and arachnoid cysts].

Thecaloscopy is less invasive exploration of spinal subarachnoid space with ultra-thin flexible endoscope and endoscopic fenestration of scars and adhesions. Thecalopscopy was used in Russian neurosurgery at the first time. Since 2009 we operated 32 patients with following diagnosis: 17--spinal adhesive arachnoiditis (8--local forms, 9--diffuse forms), 12--spinal arachnoid cysts (7--posstraumatic cysts, 5--idiopathic cysts), 3--extramedullary tumors (thecaloscopic videoassistance and biopsy). In all cases we realized exploration of subarachnoid space and pathologic lesion with endoscopic perforation of cyst or dissection of adhesions using special instrumentation. Mean follow-up in our group was 11.4 months. Neurological improvement (mean 1.4 by modified Frankel scale, 1.8 by Ashworth spasticity scale) was seen in 87% of patients operated for spinal arachnopathies. Temporary neurological deterioration (mild disturbances of deep sensitivity) was seen in 9% of patients and managed successfully with conservative treatment. 1 (3.1%) patient was operated 3 times because of relapse of adhesions. There were no serious intraoperative complications (e.g., serious bleeding, dura perforation etc). Postoperative complications included 1 CSF leakage and 1 postoperative neuralgic pain. Mean term of hospitalization was 7.6 days. According to our data, we suppose that thecaloscopy is efficient and safe method, and should be widely used for spinal arachnopaties, adhesive arachnoiditis and arachnoid cysts. Taking into account that adhesive spinal arachnoiditis is systemic process and spinal arachnoid cysts can be extended as well, thecaloscopy may be regarded as the most radical and less-invasive way of surgical treatment existing currently in neurosurgery.

[Cervical spondylogenic myelopathy: diagnostics, treatment, prognosis].

The authors present a review of literature focusing on state-of-art of surgical management of cervical spondylogenic myelopathy (CSM). Pathophysiology of CSM, evaluation and differential diagnosis are also described. Special attention is given to the value of neurophysiological aspects in pre- and postoperative examination.