Transsphenoidal surgery of craniopharyngioma: form palliative surgery to radical removal.

The paper presents basic principles of transsphenoidal craniopharyngioma surgery. Stages of methodology development. Steps of methodology development of such operations in the Institute are described--from palliative interventions to the high-tech modern radical surgery with the use of anterior extended approach.

[Diffuse bithalamic astrocytomas in children and adults].

Diffuse bithalamic glioma is rare entity. A few cases have been described so far. We present the data of 13 patients (both children and adults) with diffuse bithalamic gliomas observed and treated at Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute within the period of 2004-2011.

[Thyrotropin secreting pituitary adenoma in a child: case report and literature review].

We present a case of 11-year old boy with Type 1 Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome and thyrotropin secreting pituitary adenoma, which was diagnosed by elevated TSH and thyroid hormones levels and MRI signs of pituitary tumor and without clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism. He underwent partial resection of the tumor via transnasal approach and subsequent radiation therapy. Consequently 1 year after XRT patient developed growth hormone deficiency, 3.

[Stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery in treatment of patients with deep-seated pilocytic astrocytomas].

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is a low-grade glial tumor (WHO grade I) with predominant occurrence in pediatric patients. According to many authors, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and radiotherapy (SRT) promote long-term remission or retardation of tumor progression in patients with in inoperable lesions after incomplete resection or recurrence. Therefore it is essential to determine the role of SRS and SRT in complex management of patients with deep-seated PA.

[First experience of radiosurgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations using CyberKnife].

Radiation treatment techniques are essential in complex management of selected neurooncological, neurovascular and functional brain pathology. Stereotactic radiotherapy provides sufficient damage to the target (tumor, AVM, functional structures) with minimal impact on surrounding brain tissue. Development of stereotactic methods with X-ray guidance lead to expansion of indications for irradiation of intracranial and extracranial lesions.

[First experience of stereotactic radiation therapy for vestibular schwannoma using CyberKnife].

Currently stereotactic radiosurgery has become the treatment of choice in small vestibular schwannomas. This paper discusses our first experience of application of CyberKnife system for stereotactic irradiation of these tumors. From April 2009 till June 2011 we treated 62 patients (35 female and 27 male) with vestibular schwannomas.

[Application of robotized radiosurgical system CyberKnife for the treatment of neurosurgical patients].

Robotized system for radiosurgery CyberKnife (Accuray Inc., USA) is the first device dedicated and optimized for advanced irradiation during 1-7 fractions (i.e.

[Development of secondary resistance to dopamine agonists in a patient with giant prolactinoma].

Currently conservative treatment is therapy of choice in most patients with prolactinoma. However in 10-20% of them resistance to dopamine agonists occurs. In the majority of such cases resistance is initial, and only a few patients after good primary response to dopamine agonists develop so called "secondary" resistance ("escape" from effect).

[Stereotactic radiosurgery in treatment of patients with hypothalamic hamartomas].

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is malformation of the brain manifesting by paroxysmal disorders (gelastic seizures) and endocrine disorders (mostly precocious sexual development). Surgical resection of HH is associated with the risk of severe neurological and neuroendocrine complications. Alternative ways of treatment are being investigasted.

[Linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery in treatment of neurosurgical patients].

Radiation methods are essential in management of certain types of neurooncological, neurovascular and functional brain pathology. Application of stereotactic technique of irradiation allows sufficient damaging impact on target (tumor, AVM, functional structures) and maximal protection of surrounding brain tissues. Indications to radiation treatment of intracranial lesions are expanding with evolution of stereotactic methods.