[Clinical, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic prognostic factors in adult patients with glioblastoma]. / Klinicheskie, immunogistokhimicheskie i molekulyarno-geneticheskie faktory prognoza u bol'nykh c glioblastomoi.

UNLABELLED: Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant glial tumor of the brain in adult patients. AIM: to define the prognostic value of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH-1) mutation and methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation status in patients with glioblastoma (GB) and to analyze the impact of clinical data (gender, age, and tumor site), histological variants of the tumor structure, and time to development of recurrences on the course of the disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The investigation enrolled 63 GB patients aged 18 to 71 years who had received combined treatment (surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy) at the N.I. Burdenko Research Institute of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, in the period 2008 to 2011. The investigators performed a morphological examination of all tumor tissue samples and an immunohistochemical examination using anti-IDH-1 R-132 antibody clone («Dianova¼, Germany) and defined MGMT methylation status by a polymerase chain reaction using the CpGenome DNA Modification Kit («Chemicon International¼, USA). The data were statistically processed using a package of Statistica 6.0 programs. RESULTS: Patient age, time to development of recurrent glioblastoma, mutations in the IDH-1 gene and MGMT were found to be prognostic factors for overall survival among adult patients in this category. CONCLUSION: Analysis of clinical findings and identification of molecular genetic aberrations in the tumor cells will be able to elaborate an individual approach to treating patients with glioblastoma in order to increase their survival rates and to improve quality of life.

[MONITORING OF INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH MASSIVE ISCHEMIC STROKE].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To assess the role of monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with massive ischemic stroke within the first 5 days of the onset of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analyzed the results of monitoring of intracranial pressure in 10 patients with massive ischemic stroke and compared dynamics of ICP with the dynamics of intracranial pressure and the level of consciousness and dislocation of the brain according to CT RESULTS: Dislocation syndrome decompensation occurred in 6 patients, of which only 3 patients had increased intracranial pressure greater than 20 mm Hg with oppression of the level of consciousness to moderate coma and deeper The average value of transverse dislocation in these patients at the same time amounted to 17 mm. In 2 patients with atrophy of the brain we observed ICP increase over 20 mmHg. The average value of transverse dislocation in these patients was 12 mm. Conclusion: Increased intracranial pressure greater than 20 mm Hg in patients with massive ischemic stroke can occur even when the oppression of the level of consciousness to moderate coma and deeper on the background of the dislocation of the brain. In case of an atrophy of the brain, the level of ICP may not exceed 20 mm Hg even with dislocation syndrome decompensation.

[Dislocation syndrome in patients with severe massive ischemic stroke]. / Dislokatsionnyi sindrom u bol'nykh so zlokachestvennym techeniem massivnogo ishemicheskogo insul'ta.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the severity of brain dislocation, the rate of its progression according to CT results and clinical signs of dislocation syndrome (DS) in patients with unfavorable form of massive ischemic stroke (MII). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the results of examination and treatment of 114 patients with unfavorable course of MII. Patients were stratified by the type of DS course into two groups: group 1 with unfavorable course (91 patients) and group 2 with favorable course (23 patients). Patients were compared by disease course and outcome as well as by progression rate and severity of brain dislocation. Twenty-seven patients of group 1 underwent decompressive craniectomy (DC). RESULTS: All patients of group 1 had DS decompensation and, therefore DS course was assessed as unfavorable. All patients of group 1, who received only conservative treatment, died from brain dislocation. In patients treated with DC in addition to conservative treatment, the fatality rate was 48%. In this group, we singled out 3 variants of DS course: fulminant, progressive and delayed. In patients of group 2, the fatality rate was 52%. The patients died from non-cranial complications and DS course in this group was regarded as favorable. CONCLUSION: In patients with unfavorable course of MII, the risk of fatal outcome from temporal-tentorial impaction is determined both by the severity and progression rate of transverse dislocation of the middle brain structures. DS in patients with unfavorable course of MII can have favorable or unfavorable course. The unfavorable course is characterized by fulminant, progressive or delayed DS progression rate. The unfavorable course of DS is an absolute indication of administration of DC.

[Local fibrinolysis in surgical treatment of non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhages].

More than 70% of hypertensive hemorrhages are located in deep brain structures. The removal of such hematomas using encephalotomy is accompanied by additional cerebral trauma and often results in unsatisfactory outcomes. The puncture aspiration with local fibrinolysis is one of the minimal invasive methods for treatment of intracerebral hematomas (ICH). The puncture and aspiration of liquid part of ICH (not more than 20% of ICH volume) is performed via small burr hole. Afterward the catheter is placed into ICH cavity and fibrinolytic is injected via this catheter in postoperative period for lysis of ICH solid part. The lysed blood is aspirated within 1-4 days. The last generations of fibrinolytics are very effective concerning intensity of blood clot lysis and practically have no systematic effect on blood coagulation system during their local usage. Morphological examinations showed that usage of fibrinolysis leads to formation of smaller cysts in the region of former hematoma as well as reparative processes in perihemorrhagical zone are expressed better comparing with treatment methods without usage of fibrinolytics. The morphological pattern is also confirmed by clinical signs of neurological deficit regress corresponding to damage focus. We operated 124 patients with parenchymal hemorrhages and 28 patients with intraventricular hemorrhages using described minimally invasive method at the base of Scientific Research Institute of Emergency Care n.a. N. V. Sklifosovsky. The applied method allowed decreasing lethality from 35% to 21% among patients with parenchymal ICH and from 98% to 48%--among patients with ventricular hemotamponade underwent usage of ventricular drainage combined with local fibrinolysis.

[Dynamics of intracranial pressure in patients with massive ischemic stroke after decompressive craniotomy].

The goal of the study was assessment of the value of ICP monitoring in patients with massive ischemic stroke after decompressive craniotomy. 12 patients with massive ischemic stroke were performed ICP monitoring after decompressive craniotomy. We identified 3 types of ICP dynamics: a) normal ICP, which no need to treat; b) ICP elevation to 20 mm Hg and more in postoperative period, which can be treated by nonsurgical therapy; c) refractory to therapy ICP elevation to 20 mm Hg and more with development of intracranial hypertension. We consider that ICP monitoring in patients with massive ischemic stroke after decompressive craniotomy can be useful for optimization of the therapy and correction of intracranial hypertension.

[Decompressive craniotomy in the complex intensive treatment of malignant forms of massive ischemic stroke].

A group of patients with benign course of massive ischemic stroke (MII) without development of the dislocation syndrome and a group of patients with malignant course with development of the hemispheric brain edema with the following transtentorial herniation were singled out. Risk factors for the development of malignant form of MII and its fatal outcomes were specified as lateral dislocation (>7 mm), more than 70% of ischemia size in frontal and parietal lobes and more than 80% - in temporal lobes, the disturbance of wakefulness up to moderate coma or more. Based on these results, it was selected patients for decompressive craniotomy in the affected hemisphere that allowed to reduce the fatality rate by more than twice compared to patients treated without surgery.

[Diagnostic and treatment of hypertensive cerebellar hematomas].

Authors analyzed the results of treatment of 56 patients with hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhages (volume 0,5-41 cm3). Brain stem symptoms were found in 45 (80%) of patients. The dislocation of brain stem was observed in 38 (68%) cases, occlusive hydrocephaly - in 22 (39%), intraventricular hemorrhage - in 26 (46%). Severity of state depended on character of disease course, presence of stem symptoms, awakening level, volume and localization of cerebellar hematoma, development of intraventricular hemorrhage, occlusive hydrocephaly and dislocation of brain stem. Thirty-six patients were operated. After the neurosurgical intervention, 22 (61%) patients were discharged without or with the minimal neurological deficit, 1 (3%) with marked disability and 13 (36%) patients died. In conclusion, the removal of hematoma is recommended in dislocation of brain stem and disturbance of consiousnes: the ventricular drainage - in occlusive hydrocephaly developed as a consequence of hemotamponade of IV ventricular. The surgical treatment is not recommended to patients with cerebellar hematomas with the volume less than 7 cm3.

[Application of frameless neuronavigation in urgent neurosurgery].

Application of a novel technique is analyzed. Frameless CT-based navigation was applied for planning of surgical approach in 92 patients aged 14 to 69 with acute intracranial hemorrhage of different etiology (43 cases of hypertensive hemorrhages, 10 cases of traumatic intracranial hematomas and 16 cases of secondary non-traumatic intracerebral hematomas). Comparative analysis of radioopaque markers and natural anatomical landmarks for registration of patients showed that anatomical landmarks are sufficient for surgical planning without significant distortion of approach trajectory (mean error was 2.2 +/- 1 mm) in supratentorial haemorrhage. This discovery simplified the application of neuronavigation in emergency cases. In posterior fossa hematomas additional radioopaque markers are essential due to absence of constant anatomical landmarks in occipital region. Applicatyion of frameless neuronavigation in surgical treatment of acute intracranial hemorrhages may diminish intraoperative damage to the brain tissue and decrease invasiveness of the operation because of high accuracy of planning of surgical approach. This technique has good perspectives in emergency neurosurgery.

[Puncture aspiration and local fibrinolysis in the surgery of primary non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhages].

A possibility of evacuation of primary non-traumatic intracranial hematomas with less traumatic effect using puncture aspiration and local fibrinolysis has been studied in 73 patients aged 23-69 years. It has been shown that this method allows an effective (up to 95% of initial volume) evacuation of hypertensive hematomas in most patients. The evacuation of hemorrhage is accompanied by the significant regress of movement disorders already in the early post-operative period that promotes shortening of treatment time in patients with hemorrhage stroke. The positive changes of neurological status are supported by the morphological data on the induction of reparative processes in the perifocal brain tissue against the background of focal fibrinolysis. The reduction of post-operative fatal cases (from 35 to 23%) allows a recommendation of the method described in surgery of hypertensive hemorrhages.

[The use of frameless neuronavigation in the surgery of hemorrhagic stroke].

The application of CT-navigation in emergency neurosurgery for the calculation of surgery assets in 42 patients with hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages is presented. The relative simplicity and high precision of navigation (on average 2,2 +/- 1 mm) made it possible to use the method in emergency surgery of deep intracranial hematomas. The application of CT navigation in combination with neuroendoscopy and local fibrinolysis of hemorrhages allowed to decrease the post-surgery brain trauma and reduce the volume of intervention due to the high precision of calculation that resulted in the improvement of surgical outcome. The total post-operative mortality was 24%. In 94% of survived patients positive changes in neurological status were observed in 2-4 weeks after the surgery.

[Local fibrinolytic technique in surgery of traumatic inctracranial hemorrhages].

The emergence of neuroimaging techniques and new surgical technologies (neuroendocopy, navigation systems) in neurosurgery has substantially changed views of surgery for traumatic intracranial hematomas. The local fibrinolytic technique that has been applied to 40 victims aged 18 to 67 years (mean age 42.1 +/- 2 years) who had 18-to-97-cm3 hematomas is a promising direction of mini-invasive surgery for traumatic intracranial hematomas in patients in the compensated and subcompensated state. There were 32 males and 8 females. The procedure of the surgical intervention involves drainage of intracranial hematoma, followed by clot lysis and liquid blood aspiration along the drainage. A good outcome with a complete hematoma removal and clinical symptom regression was observed in 26 patients, a fair result with preservation of moderate neurological symptoms at hospital discharge was noted in 2 patients; 3 victims died. Recurrent bleedings were seen in 4 patients with epidural hematomas. A morphological study revealed the typical features of the morphogenesis of traumatic hematomas and perifocal brain tissue during local fibrinolytic therapy, which suggests that the area of damaging effect of bleeding on the adjacent brain tissue is decreased. Local fibrinolysis in surgery of traumatic intracranial hematomas may be considered to be one of the promising lines of treatment policy along with the existing traditional and current techniques and may be used as the method of choice in surgery of traumatic intracranial hematomas in patients in the compensated state. Removal of epidural hematomas through local fibrinolysis should be limited due to a high risk of recurrent hemorrhage and may be made only in a restricted contingent of patients with severe concomitant injury and concurrent somatic diseases when the risk of combined anesthesia and that of a longer operation are rather high. Moreover, of promise is that subtentorial epidural hematomas may be aspirated without trepanation of the posterior cranial fossa and the surgery may be performed under local anesthesia.

[The effect of hydrocortisone and 6-methylprednisolone on the cytoplasmic membrane of rat thymocytes in an vitro system]. / Vliianie gidrokortizona i 6-metilprednizolona na tsitoplazmaticheskuiu membrany timotsitov krys v opytakh in vitro.

Hydrocortisone and 6-methylprednisolone increase the binding constant of anilinenaphthalene-sulphonate (ANS) with the cytoplasmatic thymocytes membrane following a 2--3 hour long incubation in vitro. Over the same period these compounds stimulate the liberation of potassium ions from the thymocytes. A supravital staining of the thymocytes with Trypan blue did not change during the whole time of the hormones action. The effect of the hydrocortisone and 6-methylprednisolone action on the ANS binding constant and potassium release depende upon the duration of incubation and concentration of the steriod in the medium. Hydrocortisone produces a greater influence than does 6-methylprednisolone.

The prophylactic effectiveness of amantadine hydrochloride in an epidemic of Hong Kong influenza in Leningrad in 1969.

The effectiveness of amantadine hydrochloride as a prophylactic against influenza was studied during an epidemic caused by viruses related to influenza A2/Hong Kong/1968 variants in Leningrad, USSR, early in 1969. In all, 8169 subjects, assigned to amantadine-dosed, placebo-dosed, internal control and external control groups, were assessed. The index of effectiveness of the prophylactic medication, based on clinical diagnosis, in subjects who took amantadine regularly was 1.95. When the clinical diagnoses were confirmed serologically the index of effectiveness for the amantadine compared with the placebo group increased to 2.7. A comparison of the medicated group with the non-medicated, non-isolated internal control group showed an index of effectiveness of 5.34. A daily dose of 100 mg of amantadine was associated with an increase of 1.14% in complaints of sleep disturbances but these had no effect on the working capacity of subjects.