The study objective is to generalize the basic principles of the individual preoperative planning in surgery of extra- and intraaxial brain tumors of the frontal lobe and anterior cranial fossa via eyebrow supraorbital keyhole approach.
Materials and methods. In 2014–2018, we treated 40 patients with different tumors (meningiomas, gliomas, metastasis) through an eyebrow supraorbital keyhole craniotomy (in F.I. Inozemtsev City Clinical Hospital, Moscow Healthcare Department). Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with enhancement were performed to evaluate location and size of the tumor, relation to the approach-related anatomical structures (size and location of frontal sinus, pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process, depth of olfactory groove) and individual facial anatomy.
Results. Gross total removal of the intraaxial tumors was achieved in 69 %, near-total removal in 31 %. The cranial base meningiomas were removed by Simpson II in 23 (96 %) patients, Simpson III in 1 (2.5 %) patient. A breach of frontal sinus was performed in 2 (5 %) patients. There were no cerebrospinal fluid leakage, infection, hemorrhage, morbidity and mortality.
Conclusion. Keyhole surgery for patients with large intracranial tumors requires a thorough preoperative assessment of individual anatomical features, which is necessary to plan an optimal route, reduce the risk of injuries to other structures (not related to the surgical target), as well as the frequency of complications. These principles ensure high efficacy and safety of surgical treatment.

The study objective is to compare the outcomes of surgeries performed via the transciliary supraorbital approach and traditional lateral supraorbital approach in patients with suprasellar meningiomas.
Material and methods. The experimental group included 17 patients (8 males and 9 females aged between 38 and 67 years (mean age 48.7 ± 5.9 years)) with meningotheliomatous meningiomas (size between 15 and 46 mm (mean size 24.5 ± 5.7 mm) that underwent surgery via the transciliary supraorbital approach. All surgeries were performed by one surgeon. The control group included 20 patients (10 males and 10 females) that underwent surgery via the lateral supraorbital approach. These surgeries were also performed by one surgeon. The 2 groups were matched for size and location of meningiomas. We compared the extent of surgery, frequency of complications, severity of cosmetic defects, and other parameters between the groups. Preoperative examination, microsurgical removal of the tumor, anesthesia, and postoperative management were the same in both groups.
Results. We observed no differences in the extent of surgery, frequency of complaints, complications, and neurological status between participants in the experimental and control groups. There were no deaths in either group. Patients that underwent surgery via the transciliary supraorbital approach had lower blood loss than those who underwent surgery via the lateral supraorbital approach (145 ± 18 mL vs 186 ± 24 mL). The duration of surgery was also lower in the experimental group than in the control group (145 ± 24 min vs 167 ± 32 min). Cosmetic outcomes were evaluated using the Cosmetic Visual Analogue Scale. Participants in the experimental group had higher score (>90) than controls (2 patients reported scores of 70 and 80). Possible negative effects of the transciliary supraorbital approach include the risk of scarring in the eyebrow area, skin numbness in the frontal area, paralysis of the frontalis muscle, and the need for more accurate preoperative markings using neuronavigation.
Conclusion. In general, the therapeutic effect of surgeries via the transciliary supraorbital and lateral supraorbital approaches do not differ. However, the use of the transciliary supraorbital approach allowed smaller incisions (in both skin and dura mater) and smaller trepanation holes (and as a result minimal displacement of brain structures during surgery). It also ensured lower blood loss and duration of surgery and improved the cosmetic effect. The decision on the surgical approach should be based on tumor characteristics with the consideration of patient’s opinion.

The study objective is to review the Russian and foreign studies and to identify an optimal classification system for lower cervical spine injuries.
Materials and methods. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We conducted a search for articles published in English (PubMed database) and Russian (eLIBRARY.ru). The inclusion criteria were as follows: available full text, patient age ≥18 years, and information on one of the validation phases for classifications according to L. Audige et al.
Results. A total of 30 articles were eligible. Of them, 3 studies were published in Russian (by one group of authors); however, they didn’t contain required statistical parameters and had duplicated data; therefore, they were excluded from the analysis. Out of 27 articles published in English, 8 articles met all the criteria and were included into the systematic review. The AOSpine and Subaxial Injury Classification Systems demonstrated the highest reliability and reproducibility of the results. The Allen–Fergusson classification has lower intraobserver and interobserver agreement coefficients, but it can give a clearer visual representation of injuries. We also assessed J. Harris classification system. The reliability of the scale developed by С. Argenson et al. was not evaluated. The analyzed publications contained no data for full evaluation of the Cervical Spine Injury Severity Score. Our analysis clearly demonstrated the need for a more thorough evaluation of all available scales and classifications. This study should be multicenter and involve experts with different levels of experience (from residents to experienced spinal surgeons). Moreover, it should analyze not only the reproducibility of individual classifications, but also the aspects of learning and the relationship between individual scales and systems.
The main study limitations included insufficient number of publications, small sample sizes, heterogeneity of groups, and differences in the experience of experts.
Conclusion. The AOSpine and Subaxial Injury Classification Systems are the most reliable classification systems. However, the data available in literature is not sufficient for a full comparison of all existing scales and systems. Further multicenter studies on the reliability of classifications are needed to select an optimal one.

The study objective is to describe the removal of the pituitary adenoma from the posterior cranial fossa through endoscopic transsphenoidal trans-cavernous approach, when the main surgical corridor was the tumor-intact cavernous sinus.
Materials and methods. A 55-year-old male patient with endosupraretrosellar endocrine-inactive pituitary adenoma was admitted to N.N. Burdenko Research Center of Neurosurgery. The patient had earlier undergone two surgeries for pituitary adenoma. Using the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach, we found that these surgeries resulted in the formation of scar-altered adipose tissue in the sphenoid sinus and partly in the sella turcica; anatomical landmarks indicating the midline and the location of the internal carotid arteries were absent. We formed an access to both retro- and suprasellar portions of the tumor between the sella turcica and cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (through the cavernous sinus); then we dissected anterior and posterior walls of the sinus and revealed a soft capsule-free pituitary adenoma, which was completely removed by a vacuum aspirator. The skull base defect was repaired using the multilayer technique with autologous tissues.
Results. After surgery, neurological status and visual functions did not change. In the postoperative period, we observed no oculomotor disorders, pituitary insufficiency, diabetes insipidus, or nasal liquorrhea. Follow-up computed tomography scans revealed no signs of intracranial complications or obvious residual tumor tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging 4 month postoperatively demonstrated small laterosellar fragments of the tumor in the sella turcica. The patient was further followed up.
Conclusion. Cavernous sinus is a natural anatomical corridor providing access to the structures of the posterior cranial fossa and interpeduncular cistern. The main risk (damage to the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery) can be minimized by using intraoperative dopplerography and visual control of all manipulations.

The study objective is to describe a successful endoscopic therapy for a patient with hypertensive ventricular hemorrhage complicated by occlusive third ventricular hydrocephalus.
Materials and methods. A 71-year-old patient with hypertensive hemorrhage into the III and IV ventricles, complicated by non-communicating hydrocephalus, was brought to hospital on the 1st day of the disease onset. Non-communicating hydrocephalus was accompanied by clinical signs of decompensation, depressed level of consciousness up to moderate coma (Glasgow Coma Scale score of 7). Specialists performed emergency endoscopic aspiration of blood clots from the III and IV ventricles and third ventriculostomy.
Results. Endoscopically it was possible to remove the clots from the third ventricle and through the cerebral aqueduct from the fourth ventricle. Resuscitation and intensive care measures resulted in a favorable outcome: the patient was released with a moderate neurological deficit – left oculomotor nerve dysfunction. After 4 months, the patient required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt due to disresponsive form of hydrocephalus.
Conclusion. Endoscopic aspiration allows removing hematomas from the third and fourth ventricles via the lateral ventricle effectively and safely.

The lecture is dedicated to spinal dural arteriovenous fistula – infrequent disorder which not well known among wide range of neurosurgeons. The findings on etiology, clinic and treatment are presented.

Treating traumatic spinal cord injuries is one of the most complicated and relevant problems in the modern medicine. In the vast majority of cases spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to persistent disability, with medical, social and economic consequences ensuing for the patient, the family and the state. Modern SCI therapy has a very limited effectiveness and does not allow to sufficiently restore the lost functions of central nervous system. Regenerative methods and particularly cell therapy are very promising to effectively treat SCI. The review highlights SCI epidemiological and pathogenetic problems, existing therapy, as well as promising methods of regenerative therapy. We emphasize the results of preclinical and clinical studies in the field of cell therapy. The review is divided into 4 parts. Part 1 describes SCI epidemiology and pathogenesis as well as its surgical, physical and pharmacological treatment.

Removal of epileptogenic lesions is an effective way to treat patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The result of surgical treatment depends on the correct detection of pathology, definition of its boundaries. No lesion on magnetic resonance imaging is not a contraindication to surgical treatment, but requires a survey. Each of the additional methods has its advantages and disadvantages. Сomprehensive examination, analysis and comparison of positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, magnetoencephalography, scalp and invasive electroencephalography data can significantly improve the results of surgical treatment MRI-negative epilepsy patients. Clarification of the pre-surgical evaluation algorithm will allow to optimize the use of techniques.

The article describes the “bonnet” bypass, the type of extracranial-intracranial bypass. This technique is performed when ipsilateral arteries can’t be used as a donor when cerebral revascularization is required. The literature was analyzed and three main techniques of “bonnet” have been defined. The indications for performing “bonnet” bypass are determined, and the disadvantages are indicated. Alternative methods of revascularization are presented and technical details of graft protection are described. The “bonnet” bypass is a rare and laborious technique of cerebral revascularisation. However, it is an alternative and effective method of treatment to prevent serious ischemic disorders.

The study objective is to analyze scientific literature on hypothalamic hamartomas’ diagnostics and treatment.
Materials and methods. We studied 90 scientific sources, published between 1948 and 2019.
Results. The paper describes clinical picture of hypothalamic hamartomas, their various classifications, specificity of neuroimaging and neurophysiological diagnostics and pathomorphological research, the surgical treatment.
Conclusion. Transnasal resection is a promising and noninvasive method to treat hypothalamic hamartomas of IV and V types by J. Régis classification. According to the scientific literature, stereotactic destruction can be used to resect hamartomas of I–IV types; types II and III require endoscopic transventricular approach, while types IV and V can be resected using endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach.