Surgical treatment of epilepsy in Perm Region started in 2020 as a part of project “Organization of a system of surgical care for patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in the Russian Federation”. This article presents the current practice for the period 2020–2022, which includes the selection algorithm for the surgical procedure, surgical methods, early and long-term complications ofsurgical treatment and diagnostics, and early outcomes. We suggest the project of the against epilepsy in Perm Region.

Background. The issues of treatment of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) in premature infants, aimed to eliminate disorders of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics, remain relevant.
Aim. Improving the PHH treatment in premature infants.
Materials and methods. The analysis of the treatment of 350 premature infants with PHH for the period 2000–2023 (Crimea). Two groups are allocated: in 194 children (group 1), standard step-by-step treatment was performed, including lumbar punctures, ventricular-subgaleal drainage and ventricular-peritoneal shunting; in 156 children (group 2), the treatment included the option of coronary-translambdoid subarachno-ventriculostomy at the initial stage of the PHH (Patent No. RU2715535C1) and ventricular-subarachnoid stenting with the progression of PHH (Patent No. RU2721455C1).
Results. It is noted that the dynamics of the formation of PHH is due to a complex of pathological factors in the acute (7 days), subacute (up to 3 weeks) and chronic period (after 3 weeks) after intracranial hemorrhages. In the acute and subacute period, with a high risk of recurrent hemorrhages, primary disorders of CSF dynamics with occlusive PHH, in the chronic period secondary disorders of CSF dynamics with progressive absorption disorder. The inclusion of the options of coronary-translambdoid subarachno-ventriculostomy and ventricular-subarachnoid stenting in the standard protocol allowed to expand the pathogenic treatment at the stages of formation of primary and secondary disorders of CSF dynamics. There is a reduction in the time of rehabilitation of the CSF from the blood with coronary-translambdoid subarachno-ventriculostomy + lumbar punctures up to 2 weeks, recovery of outflow and absorption of CSF with ventricular-subarachnoid stenting + ventricular-subgaleal drainage + lumbar punctures up to 6 weeks after surgery with PHH compensation in 73,7 % (p<0.001).
Conclusion. The obtained result allows us to consider the effectiveness of including the proposed options in a modern treatment algorithm for PHH in premature infants. The terms of hospitalization and number of complications reduced, the results of treatment are improved.

Background. Vestibular schwannomas and posterior fossa meningiomas are one of the most difficult tumors for surgical treatment. The mortality rate after their removal reaches 13,5 %. The main causes of death are hemorrhagic and ischemic complications. There are no studies in the literature on tissue perfusion of brainstem structures and cerebellum and reactivity of vertebral and basilar arteries in patients with extraaxial tumors of the posterior cranial fossa. Therefore, the study of the blood supply of the brainstem structures and cerebellum, as well as the functional characteristics of the vertebral and basilar arteries in these patients is of considerable interest.
Aim. To evaluate tissue perfusion of the pons and cerebellum, as well asthe reactivity of the vertebral and basilar arteries in patients with large and giant vestibular schwannomas and posterior fossa meningiomas.
Materials and methods. Eighty-two patients with large and giant extraaxial tumors of the base of the posterior cranial fossa were examined. The median age was 54 [44; 61] years. Vestibular schwannomas were diagnosed in 52.4 % of patients, and meningiomas of the posterior cranial fossa were diagnosed in 47.6 %. All patients underwent duplex scanning of the basilar and vertebral arteries. We evaluated linear blood flow and coefficients of reactivity and index of vasomotor reactivity. We investigated the metabolic reactivity of cerebral blood flow by conducting hyper- and hypocapnic tests. Computed tomography perfusion imaging was performed in 18 patients. We detected cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow, mean transit time of contrast agent and time to peak of contrast agent. Measurements were carried out in six regions of interest located symmetrically on the pons and in the white matter of the cerebellar hemispheres on the side of the tumor and on the opposite side.
Results. Linear blood flow rates in the intracranial segments of the vertebral and the basilar arteries in patients with tumors were higher than in the comparison group (p<0.05). These patients are characterized by a decrease of reactivity coefficients in the vertebral and basilar arteries, especially when performing hypercapnic tests (p <0.05). Paradoxical reactivity and areactivity were diagnosed in 34.9 % of patients with vestibularschwannomas and 25.6 % with meningiomas. In the pons on the side of the tumor in patients with vestibularschwannomas, a decrease in cerebral blood flow by 19.3 %, an increase in cerebral blood volume by 33.3 % and an increase in mean transit time of contrast agent and in time to peak of contrast agent by 48.1 % and 71.1 % (p <0.05) were found. In patients with meningiomas in the pons on the side of the tumor, all perfusion parameters were higher (p<0.05). In the deep regions of the cerebellar hemisphere on the side of the tumor in patients with tumors, all perfusion parameters were higher compared to the opposite side.
Conclusion. The results of the study made it possible to quantify cerebral blood flow in patients with large and giant vestibular schwannomas and meningiomas of the posterior cranial fossa base. The revealed changes indicate the risk of developing pathological vascular reactions and disorders of cerebral blood flow in the postoperative period.

Background. Intraoperative assessment of changes in cerebral blood flow is an important component of objective quality control of surgical treatment of cerebral artery aneurysms. Various techniques have been tried to solve this task, but they all have their drawbacks, which forces us to look for new ways of blood flow monitoring. We propose to use the technology of imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG) – a technically simple, contactless, safe and cheap optical method for assessing the perfusion of biological tissues.
Aim. To demonstrate the possibility of using IPPG to assess the dynamics of cerebral blood flow parameters during aneurysm clipping surgery, as well as to identify early changes in blood supply to the cerebral cortex.
Materials and methods. The study was carried out during six surgeries of clipping aneurysms of the anterior part of the Willis’s circle, both in the acute stage of rupture (n = 1) and in a planned manner (n = 5). The IPPG system, which is an LED illuminator in a single unit with a digital video camera, was located on a tripod 25 cm from the intervention zone. During each operation, two one-minute recordings of the illuminated surface of the cerebral cortex were performed: after dissection of the dura mater and before its suturing at the end of the main stage of the intervention. To improve the measurement accuracy, video frames of the studied area were recorded synchronously with the registration of an electrocardiogram. After recording, two IPPG parameters were calculated and compared: the amplitude of the pulsatile component and the pulse wave transit time. Thereafter, the obtained data were compared with the results of computed tomography. Statistical analysis was performed using pairwise comparison tests in the GraphPad Prism software package.
Results. Clipping of cerebral vessel aneurysms are accompanied by significant changes in the parameters of cerebral blood flow. Analysis of the data for all patients revealed significant differences in IPPG parameters before and after surgery, namely, statistically significant increase in amplitude of the pulsatile component (n = 3) and decrease in pulse wave transit time (n = 5). The absence of significant changes in both parameters was found only in one patient who had mechanical damage in the cortex in the region of video recording.
Conclusion. The IPPG system is capable to quantify changes in blood supply to the cortex during surgical treatment of cerebral artery aneurysms and to identify areas with either increased or decreased blood supply. In-depth studies are required to obtain additional markers of the postoperative state of cerebral blood flow.

Background. Intraoperative monitoring (IOM) of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) is used to inform surgeons about impacts on the visual system in order to prevent iatrogenic visual impairment. The VEP monitoring use become widespread only in the last decade; nowadays, there is no generally accepted methodology for its implementation, and the effectiveness of VEP monitoring and the factors determining it have not been sufficiently studied.
Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the factors influencing the VEP monitoring feasibility and effectiveness.
Materials and methods. Data from 240 consecutive neurosurgical operations performed using VEP monitoring were retrospectively reviewed. IOM data (registration parameters, presence and type of VEP changes), patient characteristics (gender and age, tumor type and location, presence of preoperative visual dysfunctions), anesthesia parameters and postoperative changes in vision were studied. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2 and Mann–Whitney tests.
Results. VEPs were obtained in 91.3 % of eyes with completely or partially preserved vision. The main factors reducing the chances to record VEPs successfully are preoperative visual disorders and the use of inhalation anesthesia. A personalized approach to the selection of reference electrodes and frequency filtering parameters makes it possible to reduce the number of averagings required for VEP recording and accelerate informing surgeons. With successful monitoring 59.1 % of eyes had no noticeable VEP changes; 5.8 % of eyes had signs of intraoperative improvement; 35.1 % had signs of deterioration. Among the last category, 60.7 % of eyes had full VEPs recovery afterwards. After surgery, new visual disorders were detected in 2.6 % of eyes without signs of intraoperative deterioration, in 6.7 % – with temporary deterioration, and in 19.3 % – with signs of deterioration persisted until IOM is finished. Assessing the sensitivity and specificity of VEP monitoring is hampered by the possibility of complications in the early postoperative period and IOM influence on the course and results of the operation. The proportion of total resections was maximal when VEP monitoring was successful. In the subgroup without preoperative visual impairments, the alarms during monitoring were associated with decrease in proportion of total resections proportion due to increase in proportion of subtotal resections.
Conclusion. VEP monitoring with a personalized approach allows effective monitoring of visual functions preservation during neurosurgical operations.

Aim. To conduct a comparative analysis of the treatment results of the patients with chronic subdural hematoma using two methods: closed external drainage and craniotomy.
Materials and methods. The data of 55 patients with chronic subdural hematoma operated in the I.I. Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute of Emergency Medicine from 2019 to mid-2023 was analyses retrospectively. Depending on the treatment method, patients were divided into 2 groups: external subdural drains (n = 30, 55.5 %) and evacuation of hematoma via craniotomy (n = 25, 45.5 %). The patients in the groups were comparable in clinical features, radiological characteristics and the Charlson comorbidity index. In the postoperative period, the following were assessed: hematoma thickness and displacement of median structures, occurrence of surgical complications, and mortality.
Results. There were no differences between the groupsin the midline shift, the frequency of postoperative complications, reoperation and deaths. The thickness of the hematomas according to the control computed tomography scans of the brain was lower in the craniotomy group, but this did not determine the outcome of treatment. Patients with a Charlson Comorbidity Index value of 4 points or higher were significantly more likely to have an unfavorable outcome. The sensitivity and specificity of the index in predicting an unfavorable outcome was 71.4 and 69.7 %, respectively.
Conclusion. There were no differencesin the effectiveness of craniotomy and externalsubdural drains of chronic subdural hematoma. In this regard, it is necessary to give preference to minimally invasive methods of treatment. Assessment of the comorbid status allows predicting an unfavorable outcome of treatment.

Intracranial germ cell tumors(GCTs) are rare and heterogeneous group of primary brain tumors, mainly affecting pediatric population and young adults. The current understanding of the etiology of intracranial GCTs and their optimal management strategies remain controversial. Treatment plans differ depending on the subtype GCT and may vary among physicians and institutions. Central nervous system non-germinomatous germ cell tumor (NGGCT) usually requires surgical resection with histological verification, chemotherapy, and radiation. The extent of surgical resection is an important prognostic factor alongside the etiology and genetics of NGGCT. This article presents a rare clinical case of a rapidly growing teratoma located in the posterior part of third ventricle of a 17-year-old male presenting with symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Surgical total resection was preceded by endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of embryonal carcinoma and immature teratoma cells turning the tumor into mixed type NGGCT with unfavorable prognosis. Despite the complete resection of the tumor and the timely initiation of adjuvant therapy, a rapid progression of the disease with subsequent unfavorable outcome was observed 3.6 months after the surgical treatment.

A brain infarction can occur as a result of rare diseases of the blood system. The clinical observation of reperfusion therapy in a patient with the Chuvash type of hereditary familial erythrocytosis is given. Although the patient took acetylsalicylic acid (500 mg per day), thrombosis of the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery occurred. Despite the introduction of alteplase, a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, thromboaspiration and thromboextraction to the patient, success was short-lived and retrombosis occurred. It is necessary to further study the problem of treating patients with cerebral infarction associated with hematological disease.

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is rare but in symptomatic cases thoroughly reduce quality of life and is challenging for treatment. Current paper presentstwo cases of vertebral dolichoectasia that cause neurovascular compression syndromes. In both cases vertebral artery transposition performed using sling-technique. The aim of the study – to demonstrate special features and efficiency of sling-technique for neurovascular conflicts caused by dolichoectasia presented.
Surgical video demonstrating particular technique also performed. Additionally, literature data on epidemiology, symptoms and surgical interventions for neurovascular conflicts caused by dolichoectasia presented.

Cerebral blood vessel trauma (CBVT) is a serious condition of craniocerebral injury. According to literature data, different varieties of CBVT in penetrating gunshot craniocerebral injuries are found in 30–45 % of cases. Traumatic pseudoaneurysms are the most common finding in late evaluation and can lead to life-threatening episodes of intracranial hemorrhage.In addition, CBVT includestraumatic occlusion, dissection of vessels, rupture of cerebral arteries, formation of arteriovenous fistulas (carotid-cavernous anastomoses), venous stasis, etc. Injured persons with traumatic dissection and injury of vertebrobasilar pool have the highest risks of lethal outcome. There are no largerandomised trials and national recommendations for the treatment of CBVT, individual observations and small series of clinical cases have been published. In this connection, there is a need for a detailed analysis of all clinical cases, the development of tactics for early diagnosis and an algorithm for the treatment of wounded with CBVT.
The article presents a review of the literature data that characterizes the current understanding of CBVT, and a clinical case of traumatic occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and pseudoaneurysm of the posterior communicating artery in a wounded man with a gunshot penetrating cranioorbital wound, who was treated at the neurosurgical center of the N.N. Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital.
In the early period after the injury, the patient underwent endovasal occlusion of a traumatic aneurysm of the posterior connective artery by microspirals followed by local thrombolysis of intraventricular hematomas through a ventricular catheter. The catamnesis was 150 days, the score on the modified Rankin scale was 3, the Glasgow outcome scale extended was 5.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem, autosomal-dominant, neurocutaneous syndrome that is characterized by the presence of hamartomas involving multiple organs, including the brain. Epilepsy is the most common neurological manifestation and the main cause of disability in children. Drug-resistant epilepsy is seen in 62.5 % of cases. The challenge of surgical treatment in these patients is the multifocal nature of epilepsy. Nonetheless, there is available data to suggest that surgical intervention is most likely to achieve long-term seizure freedom.
The aim of the work – to analyze current data and aspects of surgical treatment of epilepsy associated with tuberous sclerosis in children.
A literature search for was done on PubMed, Google Scholar, and eLIBRARY. RU for the period from 2000 to 2022. Search phrases included: TSC-associated epilepsy in children, epilepsy surgery in children with TSC, epilepsy surgery for TSC. The tubers are not the only source of epileptic activity; the perituberal brain tissue is also a proven focus. Currently, there is a tendency towards early pre-surgical evaluation and surgical treatment, which is recommended after the failure of two antiepileptic drugs. Considering the multiple brain lesions and multifocal epilepsy, the use of invasive electroencephalography is invaluable in the preoperative assessment of these patients. The effectiveness of resection surgery is 65–75 %. Over time, the proportion of patients in complete remission from seizures decreases. Lobectomy and tuberectomy plus procedures are favorable prognostic factors. Surgical treatmentsignificantly increasesthe chances of seizure freedom. Eliminating seizures in children has been shown to improve cognitive development.
There is no algorithm for pre-surgical patient evaluation or selection criteria for surgical treatment. Some methods of presurgical evaluation are not included in the compulsory health insurance system, making early diagnosis and treatment very difficult. This leads to an increase in the number of patients with disabilities and a poor quality of life.

Background. Spinal neurenteric cysts are very rare benign space-occupying lesions in the vertebral canal emerging due to anomalies of neural tube development during prenatal development of the fetus. Clinically, neurenteric cysts can manifest both in childhood and adulthood.
Aim. To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of adult patients with spinal neurenteric cysts who were operated on at the Neurosurgery Division of the Clinic of Nervous System Diseases of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.
Materials and methods. The study group included 3 patients (2 women and 1 man) with mean age of 33 years. The main diagnosis method was magnetic resonance imaging. In all cases, radical cyst resection was performed with subsequent histological examination of cyst walls.
Results. In all observations, cyst walls had local areas of increased density and thickness: a distinctive solid component accumulating the contrast agent in magnetic resonance images. This type of structure is considered extremely rare per descriptions presented in literature, but in our case series it was detected in all patients. Cyst resection led to pain syndrome regression and almost full regression of clinical manifestations of spinal cord compression which justifies active surgical tactics in this pathology.
Conclusion. Neurenteric cyst of the vertebral canal can cause spinal cord compression. The main diagnostic method of this pathology is magnetic resonance imaging, however magnetic resonance semiotics of these cyst has not been standardized. The presence of constant pain syndrome without marked clinical signs of compression myelopathy is sufficient reason for cyst resection surgery. Cyst resection allowsto achieve regression of pain syndrome and neurological abnormalities caused by spinal cord compression.

Introduction. Spondyloptosis or grade V of spondylolisthesis, spinal injury that involve 100 % mobilization of the vertebral body, is rare to find. Lateraloptosis, displacement of vertebral bodies, is even more rare a catastrophic.
The aim of this study to introduce readers to this rare form of traumatic lumbar spine injury as well as to review current available therapeutic approaches.
Case report. A 22-year-old male was admitted to the emergency room due to a fall from a moving truck. Physical examination revealed neurological deficit in the lower extremities, with muscle strength 0/5, and an ASIA B classification. Computed tomography study showed a complete lateroloptosis at the L3 –L4 level. The patient is admitted to the operating room for surgical treatment through a posterior approach. Successful arthrodesis and spinal alignment are achieved. Immediate postoperative period, showed no complications and the patient’s neurological function in the lower extremities was classified as ASIA C. In the posterior follow-up, the patient maintains the motor neurological function and recover the autonomic control of bladder function. With mild disability according to the Barthel Index of 90 points.
Discussion. of the traumatic spinal injuries, spondyloptosis is the most infrequent and occurs secondary to high-energy mechanisms. It presents an incidence of complete neurological deficit in 80 % of patients. The objectives in surgical treatment are decompression of neurovascular structures, reduction of fracture dislocation to improve alignment in the sagittal and coronal plane, and instrumentation that allows stability. The posterior surgical approach offers advantages over the anterior approach. In the posterior approach, the facet joints can be manipulated more safely, decompress the nerve roots and the dural sac more easily, as well as less operating time and greater care of vascular structures such as the iliac vessels.
Conclusion. Complex traumatic spinal injuries are associated with irreversible neurological damage. Achieving spinal stability and alignment allows optimizing physical therapy and rehabilitation for greater recovery. Severe spinal injuries, especially lateroptosis, are difficult to treat by surgical approach, however, the main objective is vertebral stabilization to allow physical therapy and early rehabilitation.

Electrical stimulation (ES) using stereoelectroencephalography is an essential component in the workup of surgical epilepsy. ES helps to solve two major problems in epilepsy surgery – total resection of the epileptogenic lesion while minimising the postoperative neurological deficit. ES allows to induce habitual epileptic seizures to define the neurophysiological characteristics and boundaries of the epileptogenic zone and to map eloquent areas to reduce the area of resection with prediction of post-operative neurological deficit. The results of studies using ES make a huge contribution not only to practical medicine, but also to fundamental science, allowing us to study the functions of individual parts of the brain and to understand the elements of the pathogenesis of various diseases of the nervous system.