[Surgical treatment of patients with skull defects and cerebrospinal fluid flow disorders after previous decompressive craniectomy]. / Taktika khirurgicheskogo lecheniya patsientov s defektami cherepa posle dekompressivnoi kranioektomii i s likvorodinamicheskimi narusheniyami.

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is performed for refractory intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury, vascular and oncological diseases. This fact increases the number of patients with extensive and giant skull defects. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow disorders after DC are often accompanied by ventriculomegaly. However, only some patients with ventriculomegaly have hydrocephalus and require CSF bypass procedures. Differentiation of post-traumatic hydrocephalus requiring surgical treatment and atrophic dilation of ventricular system «ex vacuo¼ caused by brain injury is still an important issue. Skull sealing as a way to normalize CSF circulation and eliminate hydrocephalus is also an open question. Currently, there is no unified approach to patients with extensive and giant cranial defects combined with post-traumatic hydrocephalus. There is no unified algorithm for sequence of reconstructive and CSF bypass operations in these patients. Literature data on risks of infectious complications for different surgical strategies are controversial.

[Perifocal edema and glymphatic system dysfunction: quantitative assessment based on diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging]. / Peritumoroznyi otek i disfunktsiya glimfaticheskoi sistemy golovnogo mozga: kolichestvennaya otsenka na osnove diffuzionno-tenzornoi MRT.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis of peritumoral cerebral edema is unclear and potentially associated with glymphatic system dysfunction. Diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) with analysis of ALPS (Analysis along the Perivascular Space) index may be valuable for assessment of edema. This approach visualizes fluid flow along perivascular spaces of deep cerebral veins. OBJECTIVE: To assess glymphatic system function in supratentorial tumors and healthy volunteers using DT-MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 52 patients (59% men) aged 43 (28-64) years with supratentorial tumors (meningioma - 20, grade 3-4 glioma - 15, metastases - 9, lymphoma - 8). Tumors and perifocal edema did not involve deep cerebral veins. The control group included 6 healthy volunteers aged 34-66 years. MRI protocol (Signa HDxt, 3 T) contained standard T1, T2, T2FLAIR, DWI and post-contrast T1 (3D BRAVO). DT-MRI had the following parameters: TR=10 000 ms, TEmin=102 ms, FOV=240 mm, isotropic voxel size 3×3×3 mm3, 60 directions of diffusion gradients. Measurements were carried out at b-factor 0 and 1000 s/mm2. Analysis was carried out in the ReadyView software. RESULTS: Right- and left-sided ALPS indices were similar in the control group (p=0.917). Perifocal edema (regardless of histological type of tumor) in the ipsilateral hemisphere was accompanied by significantly lower ALPS index (p<0.005), while these values in contralateral (intact) hemisphere were similar in both groups (p=0.7). CONCLUSION: We found significantly lower ALPS index in deep parts of the affected hemisphere in patients with perifocal edema. These data can indicate the role of glymphatic system dysfunction in pathogenesis of this pathology.

[Factors influencing peritumoral edema in meningiomas: CT- and MRI-based quantitative assessment]. / Peritumoroznyi otek pri meningiomakh i faktory, vliyayushchie na ego formirovanie: kolichestvennaya otsenka na osnove KT i MRT.

Background. Meningiomas may be accompanied by peritumoral edema. Incidence and pathogenesis of edema are nor clearly established. Prevalence and severity of edema vary significantly in patients with meningiomas similar in various parameters. OBJECTIVE: To assess peritumoral edema in intracranial meningiomas and factors influencing incidence and severity of this process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 126 patients (69% women) aged 19-76 years (median 53), who were diagnosed with 142 meningiomas. Patients underwent surgery (n=111) and radiotherapy (n=15) in 2016-2018. The MRI protocol included T1, T2, T2-FLAIR, DWI and post-contrast T1-weighted images in three projections, diffusion tensor MRI in 27 cases and MR spectroscopy in 21 patients. RESULTS: Peritumoral edema was detected in 46% (n=66) of cases including 21 (31%) patients with severe edema. The ALPS index was 1.510±0.1931 in meningiomas without edema and 1.308±0.19 in those with edema (p=0.014). There was positive correlation between edema, dimensions and uneven contours of meningioma, as well as negative correlation with CSF cleft sign. Blood flow velocity was higher in atypical and anaplastic meningiomas with edema (p=0.03). Other signs (localization, histological variant, malignancy grade, characteristics of MR signal, peaks of the main metabolites, diffusion and perfusion parameters of tumor) did not significantly affect peritumoral edema in patients with meningiomas (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Diffusion tensor tomography with ALPS index revealed significant effect of glymphatic system dysfunction on peritumoral edema. Large meningioma with uneven contours increased the risk of peritumoral edema, while CSF cleft sign reduced this risk. Other factors did not affect cerebral edema in meningiomas.

[Metastatic brain lesion following gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach complicated by coma.( A case report and literature review)]. / Metastaticheskoe porazhenie golovnogo mozga gastrointestinal'noi stromal'noi opukhol'yu zheludka, oslozhnivsheesya razvitiem komatoznogo sostoyaniya. (Opisanie sluchaya i obzor literatury).

The authors present an extremely rare case of metastatic brain lesion in a patient with gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach. There are literature data on 23 cases of metastatic lesions of the brain, skull and soft tissues of the head in similar patients. Atypical localization of metastases can lead to some diagnostic difficulties, unreasonable cancellation of chemotherapy and delayed surgical treatment. A feature of our observation was postoperative coma determined by the features of the underlying disease.

[Features of modeling a polymer implant for closing a defect after decompressive craniotomy]. / Osobennosti modelirovaniya, izgotovleniya i ustanovki polimernykh implantatov dlya zakrytiya defekta cherepa posle dekompressivnoi trepanatsii.

BACKGROUND: Individual polymer implants are widespread for bone reconstruction after decompressive craniectomy. Despite the availability of customized titanium products, various specialists and hospitals prefer polymer implants. OBJECTIVE: To compare the methods of modeling and manufacturing the polymethylmethacrylate implants and identify the features affecting the quality of reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 14 patients with extensive skull defects after installation of polymethyl methacrylate implants. Software used for modeling of individual implants by different specialists was compared. RESULTS: Satisfactory reconstruction result was obtained in all cases. There were no infectious complications. The authors outlined certain important aspects for modeling of individual polymer products: local use of anatomical thickness of the implant, leaving safe spaces, prevention of temporal retraction, template-based resection before reconstruction. CONCLUSION: To date, skull defect closure with polymeric materials remains relevant, and even has certain advantages over customized titanium products.

[Endoscopic endonasal reconstruction of skull base defects in the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus: evaluation of computed tomograms for planning operations]. / Endoskopicheskaya endonazal'naya plastika defektov osnovaniya cherepa v oblasti lateral'nogo karmana klinovidnoi pazukhi: otsenka komp'yuternykh tomogramm dlya planirovaniya operatsii.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the influence of the anatomical features and sizes of the lateral pocket with a defect on the choice of surgical access and the quality of the performed plastics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of computed tomograms of 38 patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Burdenko National Medical Research Center for Neurosurgery of the Ministry of Health of Russia about defects of the skull base in the area of the lateral pocket of the sphenoid sinus. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the approach used (the 1st group), the recurrence rate (the 2nd group), and the characteristics of intraoperative visualization of the defect (the 3rd group). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in anatomical features in patients who underwent trans-pterygoid and transsphenoidal approaches, as well as in patients of the 2nd group. Patients of the 3rd group (with visualization features) showed statistically significant differences between the distance from the defect to the VR line (p=0.007). In patients with good visualization of the defect using direct optics, this distance was shorter than in patients in whom the defect was visualized with an angled endoscope. No other anatomical differences were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical features of the lateral pocket structure (type of pneumatization, size and volume) did not affect the choice of access to the defect and the frequency of recurrence. When comparing the approaches, it was noted that the trans-pterygoid access, providing direct visualization of defects, minimizes the risk of recurrence in the postoperative period. An objective anatomical indicator for choosing an access to the defects of the lateral pocket can be the distance from the defect to the VR line: at a distance of more than 0.7 cm, it is advisable to perform a trans-pterygoid approach; at a distance of less than 0.7 cm, it is possible to achieve direct visualization of the defect and perform high-quality plastic surgery with a transsphenoidal access.

[Multiple skull base defects: features of pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment]. / Mnozhestvennye defekty osnovaniya cherepa: osobennosti patogeneza, diagnostiki i lecheniya.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors of multiple skull base defects, as well as features of diagnosis and treatment of this pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis included 39 patients who underwent surgery for nasal CSF leakage at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Center in 2000-2019. The study recruited patients with multiple simultant skull base defects. RESULTS: Traumatic defects were observed in 23 (59%) patients, spontaneous defects - in 16 (41%) cases. All patients underwent endoscopic endonasal closure of skull base defects with autografts. CONCLUSION: Multiple defects are more common in severe traumatic brain injury. The main risk factors of multiple spontaneous defects are female sex and overweight. Adequate diagnosis implies high-resolution CT (slice width 0.5-1 mm), as well as intraoperative control of all suspicious and «weak¼ areas. Endoscopic endonasal technique is effective and safe for multiple skull base defects (efficiency 97%).

[Comparative analysis of mono- and bipolar pyramidal tract mapping in patients with supratentorial tumors adjacent to motor areas: comparison of data at 64 stimulation points]. / Sravnitel'nyi analiz potochechnogo mono- i bipolyarnogo kartirovaniya piramidnogo trakta u patsientov s supratentorial'nymi opukholyami, prilezhashchimi k motornym zonam golovnogo mozga: sravnenie dannykh v 64 tochkakh stimulyatsii.

OBJECTIVE: To compare monopolar and bipolar mapping in point-by-point fashion by using of threshold amperage, frequency of positive motor responses and the number of muscles involved in response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective non-randomized study included 14 patients with supratentorial tumors who underwent surgery in 2018-2019. All neoplasms were localized within 2 cm from the motor cortex and pyramidal tract. Age of patients ranged from 25 to 74 years. There were 9 women and 5 men. Eight patients had malignant glioma (grade III - 4, grade IV - 4), 6 patients - meningioma. Motor functions were assessed in all patients before and after surgery (1, 7 days and 3 months later) by using of a 5-point scale. In addition to routine neurophysiological monitoring, comparative mono- and bipolar mapping of the pyramidal tract within the bed of excised tumor was carried out at the end of surgery. The points of motor responses were marked. Comparative analysis of mono- and bipolar stimulation at identical points included threshold amperage, frequency of positive motor responses and the number of muscles involved in response (leg, forearm, hand, facial muscles). Brain MRI was performed in early postoperative period for assessment of resection quality. RESULTS: There were 64 points of motor responses in 14 patients. The number of these points ranged from 2 to 8 per a patient (mean 5 points). Motor responses were recorded in 57 points during monopolar and bipolar stimulation, in other 7 points - only during monopolar stimulation. Amperage of monopolar stimulation was 3-15 mA, bipolar stimulation - 2.5-25 mA. Threshold amperage (7.37 mA for monopolar stimulation and 8.88 mA for bipolar stimulation; p=0.12), frequency of positive motor responses and the number of muscles involved in response (p=0.1 and p=0.73) were similar. Seven (50%) patients had neurological deterioration in early postoperative period (4 patients with glial tumors and 3 patients with meningiomas). At the same time, only 2 patients (14.3%) had persistent neurological deficit (both patients with infiltrative meningioma). According to postoperative MRI in T1+C mode, resection volume was 100% in 1 patient with contrast-enhanced glioma and 94% in another one. According to FLAIR MRI data, resection volume exceeded 70% in 2 patients with non-enhancing glioma and less than 70% in 2 patients. Meningioma resection volume was estimated according to postoperative T1+C MRI data and made up over 90% in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: Monopolar stimulation is a reliable method of pyramidal tract identification in supratentorial brain tumor surgery.

[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.

[Multicystic transformation of the post-radiation necrosis zone of the brain. A case report and literature review]. / Mul'tikistoznaya transformatsiya zony postluchevogo nekroza golovnogo mozga. Klinicheskoe nablyudenie i obzor literatury.

Post-radiation cyst of the brain is a rare complication that often arises many years after irradiation for head and neck neoplasms. The majority of the articles devoted to this problem are small samples or case reports. Nevertheless, the overall number of these patients is steadily increasing. The feature of post-radiation cysts is gradual enlargement followed by general cerebral and focal symptoms and ineffectiveness of therapy. Some patients with clinically significant post-radiation cysts can require surgical treatment. Insertion of Ommaya reservoir may be preferred in these patients. In some cases, this method is ineffective and more complex surgeries may be required. The objectives of this report were to analyze literature data and describe the patient with multiple recurrent brain cysts after previous irradiation for frontotemporal skin melanoma. Twenty-seven publications were analyzed for the period from 1997 to 2018. According to the literature, the incidence of post-radiation cysts varies from 0.4% to 28%, timing of occurrence - from 2 months to 27 years. These values significantly depend on the underlying disease. We report a 27-year-old patient who admitted to the Burdenko Neurosurgery Center with focal and general cerebral symptoms after irradiation for skin melanoma of the right frontotemporal region. These symptoms were caused by cystic lesion of the right temporal and frontal lobes. Surgical treatment consisted in insertion of 2 Ommaya reservoirs. This approach ensured complete regression of the cyst in the right temporal lobe and mild decrease of the cyst in the right frontal lobe.

[Modern aspects of surgical treatment of nasal liquorrhea with localization of defect in frontal sinus]. / Sovremennye aspekty khirurgicheskogo lecheniia nazal'noi likvorei s lokalizatsiei defekta v lobnoi pazukhe.

Defects localized in the frontal sinus are difficult for surgical treatment, since there is a large number of anatomical variations in the structure of the naso-frontal canal and the sinus itself. With the development of endoscopic technology and paying attention to the modern tendency of minimal invasive surgery, new invasive approaches to reach frontal sinus, such as endoscopic approach according to Draf I-III and combined approaches were developed and put into practice. OBJECTIVE: To summarize and to analyze the results of treatment of nasal liquorrhea with localization of the defect in the frontal sinus using endoscopic endonasal and combined intra-extranasal approaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a series of 43 cases of nasal liquorrhea with a frontal sinus defect being treated at the NMRCN Burdenko during the period from 2001 to 2017. To select access, a classification of frontal sinus defects according to their localization was developed. The analysis of demographic and clinical data of patients, as well as intraoperative and postoperative data analysis were done. RESULTS: In the series of 43 patients, endoscopic endonasal approach was performed in 28 (65%) cases. Combined approach was performed at 15 (35%) patients. The success rate of plastic surgery with endoscopic endonasal approach was 86% (24 of 28), with combined approach - 93% (14 of 15). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic endonasal and combined approaches are the methods of choice for plastic surgery of defects of the skull base in the frontal sinus as they are effective and safe. The choice of approach depends on anatomical features of the frontal sinus and on the localization of defect.

[The prognostic value of mri-classification of traumatic brain lesions level and localization depending on neuroimaging timing]. / Prognosticheskoe znachenie MRT-klassifikatsii urovnei i lokalizatsii travmaticheskogo povrezhdeniia mozga v zavisimosti ot srokov obsledovaniia patsientov.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the prognostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classification of traumatic brain lesion localization and levels in patients with a brain injury of various severity in a few days to three weeks after the injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cohort of 278 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) of various severity aged 8-74 y.o. (average -31.4±13.8, median - 29 (21.3; 37.0) was included in the analysis. The severity of TBI at admission varied from 3 to 15 Glasgow coma scores (GCS) (average - 8±4, median - 7 (5; 12). The main indications and conditions for MRI were: inconsistency between computed tomography (CT) data and neurological status, the necessity to clarify the location and type of brain damage, the absence of metal implants, the stabilization of the patient's vital functions, etc. MRI was performed during the first three weeks after the injury using T1, T2, T2-FLAIR, DWI, T2*GRE, SWAN sequences. The damage to the brain was classified according to 8 grades depending on the lesion levels (cortical-subcortical level, corpus callosum, basal ganglia and/or thalamus, and/or internal, and/or external capsules, uni- or bilateral brain stem injury at a different level). Outcomes were assessed by the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) 6 months after injury. RESULTS: The significant correlations were found for the entire cohort between MRI grading and TBI severity (by GCS) and outcome (by GOS) of the injury (R=-0.66; p<0.0001; R=-0.69; p<0.0001, respectively). A high accuracy (77%), sensitivity (77%) and specificity (76%) of the proposed MRI classification in predicting injury outcomes (AUC=0.85) were confirmed using the logistic regression and ROC analysis. The assessment of MRI-classification prognostic value in subgroups of patients examined during the first, second, and third weeks after injury showed significant correlations between the GCS and the GOS as well as between MRI-grading and GCS, and GOS in all three subgroups. In the subgroup of patients examined during the first 14 days after the injury, the correlation coefficients were higher compared with those obtained in a subgroup examined 15-21 days after the injury. The highest correlations between MRI grading, TBI severity, and the outcome were found in the subgroup of patients who underwent MRI in the first three days after the injury (n=58). CONCLUSION: The proposed MRI classification of traumatic brain lesion levels and localization based on the use of different MR sequences reliably correlated with the clinical estimate of TBI severity by GCS and the outcomes by GOS in patients examined during the first three weeks after injury. The strongest correlation was observed for patients examined during the first three days after the injury.

[Giant thrombosed aneurysm of the pericallosal artery: clinical observation, literature review]. / Gigantskaia trombirovannaia anevrizma perikalleznoi arterii: klinicheskoe nabliudenie i obzor literatury.

Are characterized by Distal giant aneurysms of the anterior cerebral artery are an extremely rare pathology. There are less than 40 cases of this disease described in literature. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to present the clinical observation of a successfully treated giant aneurysm of the pericallosal artery in a 58-year-old man, and also analyze the publications on distal cerebral aneurysms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of a patient hospitalized with a suspected tumor of the left brain hemisphere spreading to the left lateral ventricle is presented. Repeated MRI suggests a giant subtotal thrombotic aneurysm of the left perical artery, which was confirmed by SCT angiography. The patient underwent aneurysm treping-cliping with dissection of the aneurysm sac. In the analysis of the literature it was shown that the frequency of perical artery aneurysms varies from 5.3-6.0%, and giant aneurysms of this localization are extremely rare and occur in 1-4.5% of all perical artery aneurysms. Unlike distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms of small and medium size, giant aneurysms are characterized by pseudotumorrhagic symptoms, which causes diagnostic difficulties. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to remember about the diagnostic difficulties caused by the pseudotumorrhosis of the giant aneurysms of the pericallosal artery and the frequent negative angiography data due to total thrombosis of the aneurysmal sac. The gold standard is microsurgical clipping with excision of the aneurysmal sac. The prognosis for this group of patients is favorable.

[Management of complex skull base defects accompanied by pneumocephalus]. / Taktika lecheniia defektov osnovaniia cherepa, soprovozhdaiushchikhsia pnevmotsefaliei.

AIM: The study aim was to analyze our own experience in treating patients with complex skull base defects accompanied by pneumocephalus and, based on the findings, to develop an optimal treatment approach for this pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a series of 30 patients with complex skull base defects accompanied by pneumocephalus who underwent inpatient treatment at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute in the period from 2001 to 2017. We analyzed demographic characteristics of patients (gender, age), clinical data (etiology, somatic and neuropsychiatric status, radiological data), and treatment aspects (conservative or surgical treatment, used approach, defect characteristics, reconstructive materials). Treatment outcomes were assessed based on analysis of changes in clinical manifestations, postoperative complications, and recurrences. The obtained data were compared to the results of literature review. RESULTS: In the series of 30 patients with complex skull base defects accompanied by pneumocephalus, the mean age was 41 years (range, 17-68 years); there were 17 (59%) males and 13 (41%) females. Etiologically, there were 17 (59%) traumatic cases, 11 (36%) iatrogenic cases, and 2 (5%) spontaneous cases. Clinically, the patients presented with the following manifestations: psycho-neurological symptoms (41%), nasal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (36%), impaired consciousness (27%), and meningitis (23%). Eight patients with acute injuries underwent complex conservative treatment that included infusion, and anti-edema, vascular, metabolic, anticonvulsant, and antibacterial therapy. In cases of conservative treatment failure or tension pneumocephalus accompanied by abrupt worsening of the patient's condition, surgical treatment was used. A total of 24 interventions (including revision surgery) were performed in 22 patients. All patients underwent endoscopic endonasal reconstruction of complex skull base defects. Tissues used for reconstruction included the fascia lata and adipose tissue (77%), fascia lata and cartilage/bone from the nasal septum (14%), and a pedicled nasoseptal flap (9%). The success rate of reconstructive interventions was 91%. There were 2 (9%) recurrences. Postoperative complications in the form of meningitis occurred in 4 (18%) patients. CONCLUSION: In the case of a nasal cerebrospinal leak history and worsening of the patient's condition accompanied by common cerebral and psychiatric symptoms, the development of pneumocephalus should be considered first, the early diagnosis of which will facilitate choosing the correct treatment approach. In the case of acute injury in patients with the established diagnosis of pneumocephalus caused by gas-forming infection, conservative therapy is indicated in the early period after neurosurgical interventions with opening of the meninges. Tension pneumocephalus together with a skull base bone defect (according to CT) and a nasal CSF leak history is the indication for surgical treatment. In this case, the endoscopic endonasal technique is the method of choice.

[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.

[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.

[In search of an effective algorithm for rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation in neurorehabilitation after severe traumatic brain injury]. / V poiskakh éffektivnogo algoritma ritmicheskoi transkranial'noi magnitnoi stimuliatsii v neiroreabilitatsii posle tiazheloi cherepno-mozgovoi travmy.

Rehabilitation of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is a topical medical and social issue because this pathology is one of the main causes of mortality and disability in the young working age population [1]. The most common sTBI consequences include motor and cognitive impairment as well as depression of consciousness [2, 3]. Despite significant progress in treatment of the consequences of severe traumatic brain injury, there are no treatment and rehabilitation standards for these patients, and the used rehabilitation measures are not always effective. These circumstances substantiate the need for the development of additional methods of neurotherapy. Over the past decade, transcranial electrical and magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been increasingly used as neuromodulatory treatment in clinical practice [4-12]. The accumulated experience has shown that transcranial neurostimulation methods require a more individualized approach in terms of both careful selection of patients and choice of exposure parameters. This review is based on an analysis of the most significant publications and recommendations recognized in the scientific community, as well as on reports of domestic and foreign authors presented at dedicated congresses in comparison with experience of our own research on transcranial stimulation. The paper discusses the main problems of using this method in medical practice of sTMI and their possible solutions.

[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.

[Li-Fraumeni syndrome in a patient with multiple anaplastic oligodendrogliomas of the brain (a case report and literature review)]. / Sindrom Li-Fraumeni u patsienta so mnozhestvennymi anaplasticheskimi oligodendrogliomami golovnogo mozga (klinicheskoe nabliudenie i obzor literatury).

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous hereditary syndrome with predominantly oncological manifestations, which is associated with mutations in the TP53, MDM2, and CHEK2 genes. The most common variant is a TP53 mutation. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the literature and present a clinical case of a patient with Li-Fraumeni syndrome and multiple anaplastic oligodendrogliomas of the brain. CLINICAL CASE: A 42-year-old male patient presented with complaints of headaches, word finding difficulty, memory loss, right hemianopsia, and generalized convulsive attacks. For 10 years, he underwent multiple interventions and chemotherapy courses for colon adenocarcinoma and recurrent B-cell lymphoma. MRI revealed multiple space-occupying lesions of the cerebraln hemispheres, which were located in the left temporo-occipital and right frontal regions. RESULTS: The patient underwent resection of multiple space-occupying lesions of the left temporo-occipital and right frontal regions. The postoperative period proceeded without complications. The histological diagnosis was WHO grade III anaplastic oligodendroglioma. The patient and one of his sons were detected with a R248W missense mutation in the TP53 gene. The patient underwent six courses of temozolomide chemotherapy. At a follow-up examination 20 months after surgery and chemotherapy, the patient's condition was satisfactory; he returned to work. Control MRI of the brain revealed no signs of continued tumor growth. CONCLUSION: An analysis of the literature and the clinical case indicate the success of multiple surgical interventions and chemotherapy courses performed for a long time in the patient with Li-Fraumeni syndrome manifested by colon adenocarcinoma, recurrent B-cell lymphoma, and multiple anaplastic oligodendroglioma of the brain. The patient had a good quality of life and returned to professional activity.

[Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow in severe diffuse axonal brain injury: the role of neuroanatomical factors]. / Autoreguliatsiia mozgovogo krovotoka pri tiazhelom diffuznom aksonal'nom povrezhdenii golovnogo mozga: rol' neiroanatomicheskikh faktorov.

Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (ACBF) is a system of mechanisms for maintaining stable adequate perfusion of the brain despite changes in systemic arterial pressure. In recent years, new data on the numerous metabolic and systemic mechanisms of cerebral blood flow regulation have been obtained, but the role of neurogenic regulation has not yet been fully understood and, therefore, not considered in clinical practice. AIM: The study aim was to assess the effect of anatomical injuries to deep brain structures on the extent and duration of ACBF abnormalities in a model of severe diffuse axonal injury (DAI). RESULTS: The study demonstrated that brain injury in the projection of a dopaminergic structure (substantia nigra) and a cholinergic structure (nucleus basalis of Meynert region) was more common in patients with impaired ACBF and was associated with a longer duration of the impairment. CONCLUSION: The obtained data may indicate the presence of central (neurogenic) pathways of cerebral vessel tone regulation; traumatic injury of the pathways leads to a more severe and prolonged period of impaired ACBF. Probably, injury to these regulatory structures in some patients has an indirect effect on the course of intracranial hypertension. Further experimental and clinical studies in this direction are needed to elucidate all elements of neurogenic regulation of cerebral vessel tone and ACBF mechanisms.