[Primary tumors of the brain stem. State of the problem]

Primary brainstem gliomas are still poorly studied in neurooncology. This concept includes tumors with different histological and genetic features, as well as variable clinical course and outcomes. Nevertheless, treatment implies radiotherapy without a clear idea of morphological substrate of disease in 80% of cases. Small number of studies and insufficient data on histological and genetic nature of brainstem tumors complicate clear diagnostic and treatment algorithms. This review provides current information regarding primary glial brainstem tumors. Appropriate problems and objectives are highlighted. The purpose of the review is to provide a comprehensive and updated understanding of the current state of brainstem glial tumors and to identify areas requiring further study for improvement of diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Brainstem tumors are an understudied problem with small amount of data that complicates optimal treatment strategies. Further researches and histological verification are required to develop new methods of therapy, especially for diffuse forms of neoplasms.

Cellular type of hemangioblastoma. Case report and literature review

The authors report a patient with spinomedullary tumor who underwent resection with subsequent histological examination. However, the authors encountered difficulties in determining the exact histological type of neoplasm. Microscopic and immunohistochemical examination of spinomedullary neoplasm revealed two types of tumor: ependymoma and hemangioblastoma. However, analysis of literature data indicated that the identified tumor could be attributed to a certain cellular type of hemangioblastoma.

[Invasive intracranial pressure monitoring in posterior cranial fossa after neurosurgery: an exclusive option or a necessity?]

Posterior cranial fossa (PCF) surgery is associated with the risk of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) under tentorium. The last one can lead to severe brainstem syndromes and postoperative complications. The currently recommended method for ICP control with a supratentorial parenchymal sensor or CSF pressure measurement through an external ventricular drainage is ineffective. Indeed, these methods do not show the true situation in the PCF.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility of ICP sensor insertion into cerebellar parenchyma for PCF edema after neurosurgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed literature data (15 references) and 3 patients after ICP sensor insertion into cerebellar parenchyma for ICP control in PCF.

CONCLUSION

ICP sensor insertion into cerebellar parenchyma is indicated for infratentorial postoperative edema.

[«Cavernous angiomas» of the brainstem. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment results]

Introduction

In the current literature, brainstem hematomas and various types of vascular micromalformations are combined into the one group of diseases under the general name «cavernous angioma» (CA). This approach does not make it possible to accurately determine the indications for surgery and predict postoperative outcomes.

Objective

To analyze our own experience in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with the brainstem CA.

Material and methods

There were 515 patients with CA of the brainstem (surgery - 322, conservative treatment - 193 patients) with a follow-up period of more than 5 years. Follow-up survey implied neurological examination, analysis of Karnofsky score, MRI and CT data.

Results

We identified two main groups of patients after comparison of MRI data, intraoperative findings and biopsy data: group 1 - hematomas (191 patients, 59%), group 2 - CA (131 patients, 41%). Each group was characterized by own clinical and radiological features. Postoperative outcomes depended on the disease. Debridement of hematoma ensured early postoperative improvement in 63% of patients, no changes in 21% of cases and impairment in 16% of patients. Less favorable results were observed in patients with CA and no signs of hemorrhage. Clinical impairment occurred in 73% of cases, improvement - only in 5% of patients. The most significant regression of neurological symptoms in long-term postoperative period was observed in patients with hematomas (92% of patients). These ones noted much better clinical state compared with preoperative condition.

Conclusions

The type of brain lesion is an important predictor to determine treatment approach. Postoperative outcomes differ significantly in patients with the brainstem hematoma and CA.

[Turcot syndrome and Gardner's syndrome in a female patient with familial colon adenomatosis. A case report and literature review]

Turcot syndrome is a rare hereditary syndrome characterized by a combination of brain tumors and colorectal cancer. According to the literature, about 150 such cases have been reported. This article presents a rare clinical case and a literature review.

[The management of patients with new epileptic seizures in the early period after resection of hemispheric tumors: two case reports and a literature review]

Epileptic seizures developing for the first time after a neurosurgical intervention (de novo seizures) are a challenge for choosing an optimal treatment. The pathogenesis of these seizures is often associated with factors that become inactive in the early postoperative period. These seizures can not serve the basis for diagnosing symptomatic epilepsy and should be regarded as a brain response to surgery, and patients do not need anticonvulsant therapy that reduces the quality of life. But in some situations, new early postoperative seizures serve the onset of symptomatic epilepsy and require prolonged anticonvulsant therapy. To date, one of the main techniques to identify the nature of newly developed seizure and to plan further treatment (whether or not to use anticonvulsant therapy) is video EEG monitoring. We present two clinical cases of patients who developed de novo convulsive seizures in the early postoperative period in similar situations after resection of intracerebral tumors. The use of video EEG monitoring allowed avoiding unreasonable use of anticonvulsant therapy in one of the patients.