[An anatomical study on the applicability of direct endoscopic exclusion of the ethmoid arteries for devascularization of the anterior skull base structures].

Unlabelled: The anterior skull base structures are the site of initial growth of histologically different tumors. The difficulties in their removal are often associated with significant vascularization, which may limit the amount of resection due to abundant intraoperative blood loss. Midline tumors are primarily fed by the ethmoid arteries that are not accessible to embolization.

[Variability and age-related features of the anatomy of the midline structures of the anterior skull base].

The article presents the literature data on the structural variability and age-related features of the midline anatomical structures of the anterior skull base (frontal sinus, ethmoid bone, anterior parasellar region, and medial orbital wall). This is the area of surgical interests of neurosurgeons and rhinosurgeons. The study objective is to analyze the literature data on the individual variability and age-related anatomy of these structures.

[Tactics of reconstructive closure of basal defects after resection of midline tumors of the anterior skull base (a literature review)].

The purpose of this review is to analyze the techniques used to reconstruct midline defects in the anterior skull base after transcranial and endoscopic endonasal resection of skull base tumors. We provide brief information on the technique for preparing various flaps, indications and contraindications, and advantages and disadvantages. We analyze the international experience in the use of vascularized and non-vascularized flaps as well as the existing algorithms for reconstruction of complex defects of the midline structures of the skull base.

[Choosing an anterior midline approach to skull base tumors].

The purpose of this review is to analyze used anterior midline approaches to the skull base, identify their advantages and disadvantages, and, after reviewing the literature data, submit a developed algorithm for choosing an optimal approach to the approval of colleagues. We provide brief information on approach techniques, indications and contraindications, and advantages and disadvantages as well as analyze international experience of using the discussed approaches. On the basis of literature data, we have developed a prototype algorithm for choosing an optimal approach to medial tumors of the anterior skull base.

[Surgical anatomy of the peri-insular association tracts. Part I.The superior longitudinal fascicle system].

Aim: To study the peri-insular association tract anatomy and define the permissible anatomical boundaries for resection of glial insular tumors with allowance for the surgical anatomy of the peri-insular association tracts.

Material And Methods: In an anatomic study of the superior longitudinal fascicle system (SLF I, SLF II, SLF III, arcuate fascicle), we used 12 anatomical specimens (6 left and 6 right hemispheres) prepared according to the Klingler's fiber dissection technique. To confirm the dissection data, we used MR tractography (HARDI-CSD-tractography) of the conduction tracts, which was performed in two healthy volunteers.

Long association tracts of the human white matter: an analysis of 18 hemisphere dissections and in vivo HARDI-CSD tractography.

Background: Anatomy of the conduction tracts of the cerebral cortex has been studied for a long time. Invention of diffusion tensor tractography renewed interest in this subject. The objectives of this work were to develop and improve protocols for dissection of the long association tracts of the human brain with studying the features of their segmentation, topography, and variability, compare the obtained data with the MR tractography data, and prepare for further clinical and anatomical studies.

Orbitozygomatic approaches to the skull base.

The paper is written in the lecture format and dedicated to one of the main basal approaches, the orbitozygomatic approach, that has been widely used by neurosurgeons for several decades. The authors describe the historical background of the approach development and the surgical technique features and also analyze the published data about application of the orbitozygomatic approach in surgery for skull base tumors and cerebral aneurysms.

Clinical guidelines for the use of intraoperative fluorescence diagnosis in brain tumor surgery.

In this paper, we present a review of current literature on the application of intraoperative fluorescence diagnosis and fluorescence spectroscopy using 5-aminolevulinic acid in surgery for various types of brain tumors, both alone and in combination with other neuroimaging methods. Authors' extensive experience with these methods allowed them to develop a set of clinical guidelines for the use of intraoperative fluorescence diagnosis and fluorescence spectroscopy in surgery of brain tumors.

Orbitozygomatic approaches to skull base tumors spreading into the orbit, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae.

The paper analyzes application of orbitozygomatic approaches at the Department of Skull Base and Craniofacial Surgery of the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute for a 14-year period. During this time, 723 patients were operated on using the orbitozygomatic approach, which has become the workhorse of surgery for skull base tumors spreading into the orbit, paranasal sinuses, and pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae. The authors describe seven major modifications of the orbitozygomatic approach that they have used in their practice.

Life quality of patients with benign tumors of the anterior and middle part of the skull base after surgery and during follow-up.

The results of surgical and combination therapy of 302 patients with benign tumors of the anterior and middle regions of the skull base with allowance for the functional outcomes (immediately after surgery and during the catamnestic follow-up) are reported. The Karnofsky and Rankin scales and the Anterior Skull Base Questionnaire (ASBQ) were used for the analysis. Radical tumor resection, as compared to partial resection, reduces the quality of life in the early postoperative period but increases it in future; the use of radiation therapy in combination treatment for patients with radically inoperable tumors does not worsen their quality of life in the late postoperative period.

Optic nerve decompression in treatment of neoplasms involving optic canal.

Neoplasms extending to the optic canal is a diverse group of more than 15 histological types. Elimination of the optic nerve compression is crucial for favorable visual outcome. Material and method.

Surgery of skull base tumors extending into the orbit, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossas: treatment principles in certain types of tumors.

Following the paper focused on surgery of skull base tumors invading the orbit, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavities, pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae, the authors discuss particular issues of surgical treatment of the most common craniofacial mass lesions, including meningiomas, juvenile angiofibromas, trigeminal nerve tumors, chondroid tumors, and others.

Tumors of the skull base, extending into the orbit, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossa.

The first of two papers focusing on surgery of skull base tumors invading orbit, sinonasal cavities, pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae the authors described foundation and development of craniofacial oncology as a new discipline in skull base surgery, modern approaches to diagnostic evaluation of craniofacial mass lesions and basic principles of surgical management.

Meningioma challenge: analysis of 80-year experience of Burdenko Neurosurgical institute and future perspectives.

The paper describes the history of meningioma surgery at Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute, analyses of accumulated series of patients and assesses effectiveness of different techniques for meningioma diagnosis and treatment of. We analyzed 15413 patients with meningiomas operated in Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute from 1932 to 2011. Mathematical analysis was performed using Statistica 6.

[Photodynamic diagnosis and laser biospectroscopy as an intraoperative guidance in neurosurgery].

Different techniques are used today in neurosurgery for intraoperative navigation, including metabolic guidance using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). The article focuses on history of intraoperative photodynamic diagnosis (PDD), mechanisms of 5-ALA action, possibilities of its application in different areas of neurosurgery. In addition to visual assessment of fluorescence, laser biospectroscopy significantly increases the diagnostic value of PDD.

The first experience of skull base defect reconstruction using pedicled buccal fat pad after endoscopic endonasal resection of a craniofacial tumor.

Background: Buccal fat pad (BFP) is widely used in maxillofacial surgery for closure of oroantral and oronasal defects. V.A.

Intraoperative combined spectroscopy (optical biopsy) of cerebral gliomas.

Clinical studies have revealed high selectivity of 5-ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX accumulation in different brain tumors. Modern methods of evaluation of tissues visible fluorescence are based on the qualitative analysis of the images. Up-to-date methods of combined spectral analysis allow fulfilling the intraoperative quantitative evaluation of the protoporphyrin IX content, as well as the scattering and absorption properties of a tissue.

[Intraoperative fluorescent visualization and laser spectrosopy in intrinsic brain tumor surgery].

Absence of well-defined borders of the glial tumor due to their infiltrative growth is one of the main issues in neurosurgery. A number of methods for intraoperative visualization are available today. The fluorescent metabolic navigation with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) combined with quantitative laser spectroscopy is one of the latest technique.

[Cystic sphenoid wing meningioma mimicking astrocytic glioma].

In spite of rare incidence, cystic intracranial meningiomas deserve interest due to difficulties in correct preoperative diagnosis. Authors present a case report of a patient with cystic meningioma mimicking astrocytoma. In addition, review of literature is performed.

[Closure of anterior and middle skull base defects using pedicled buccal fad pad flap].

Background: The problem of closure of skull base defects after resection of craniofacial tumors remains one of the most challenging in neurosurgery. Local pedicled grafts are preferred material for plasty. In this study authors present original technique of using a pedicled buccal fat pad (BFP) graft.

[Surgical treatment of extensive craniofacial juvenile angiofibromas].

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare benign tumor occurring almost exclusively in adolescent and young adult males. The tumor is characterized by slow progression, aggressive growth, high vascularization and increased rate of persistence and recurrence. From 2000 till 2008 29 consecutive male patients with JNA Fisch grade III and IV (intracranial extradural or intradural extension) were operated in Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute (Moscow, Russia).

[Intracranial plasmocytomas: biology, diagnosis, and treatment].

Intracranial plasmocytomas are a rare abnormality in a neurosurgeon's practice. The plasmocytomas may originate from the skull bones or soft tissue intracranial structures; they may be solitary or occur as a manifestation of multiple myeloma, this type being typical of most intracranial plasmocytomas. Progression of solitary plasmocytoma to multiple myeloma is observed in a number of cases.

[Anatomic rationale for a transmaxillary access to the cavernous sinus].

Unlabelled: W. Couldwell et al. were the first to propose a transmaxillary access to the cavernous sinus in 1997.