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Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation (PR) and injections of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) in the correction of muscles hypertonicity ty of the healthy side of the face or its prevention in patients with facial nerve neuropathy (FNN)., Material and Methods: One hundred and forty-six patients with FNN of various etiologies with muscles hypertonicity of the healthy side or the risk of its development were studied. The term of treatment was 33 [10; 99] days. There are 88 women and 58 men aged 42 [34; 56] years. Diagnosis included clinical examination and stimulation electroneuromyography (ENMG, n =113; 77.4%) with assessment of M-wave amplitude asymmetry. All patients were prescribed a standard PR complex, in addition - relaxation of the muscles of the healthy side by injections of BTA (Incobotulinumtoxin A) - BTA group ( n =38) or by special PR techniques - physiotherapy group ( n =108)., Results: In both groups, patients were comparable in age, sex and severity of FNN at clinical assessment. But objectively, in the BTA group there were more symptomatic forms (63.2% vs 43.5%; p =0.038), cases of M-wave amplitude asymmetry over 90% in ≥2 branches (52.6% vs 18.5%; p =0.032). Displacement of the face midline was a factor limiting recovery (68.4% and 62%; χ 2 =0.495; p =0.482) in two groups. With amplitude asymmetry of more than 90% in ≥2 branches (a predictor of the risk of unfavorable outcome), a favorable outcome occurred more often in the BTA group (80% versus 45%; χ 2 =5.227; p =0.023). In case of amplitude asymmetry of less than 90% in all branches, a favorable outcome was observed in two groups., Conclusion: Indications for botulinum therapy in patients with FNN are deep prosoparesis or prosoplegia, muscles hypertonicity of the healthy side, displacement of the face midline, ENMG predictors of the risk of unfavorable outcome. PR is an effective method of prevention in patients with a favorable prognosis of outcome or treatment of mild forms.

Objective: To identify risk factors for de novo epileptic seizures in the early postoperative period in patients with supratentorial meningiomas., Material and Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in a ratio of 3 to 1. The case histories of all patients with supratentorial meningiomas that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, who underwent surgical removal of the neoplasm in 01.01.17 to 12.31.20, were studied in the neurosurgical department of the Research Institute of Emergency Medicine named after N.V. Sklifosovsky. Of 133 patients without epileptic seizures and a history of taking antiepileptic drugs before surgery, 10% ( n= 14) had a de novo generalized tonic-clonic seizure in the early postoperative period. Among the remaining 119 patients, 42 patients were selected to form the control group, similar in age, localization and volume of the tumor with patients in the main group. In all patients, the clinical condition, the results of preoperative and postoperative neuroimaging with contrast enhancement, the course of the intraoperative period, as well as the duration and outcomes of hospitalization were assessed., Results: The risk factors for the development of de novo seizures were an increase in the volume of cerebral edema compared with the preoperative one according to postoperative CT data and the development of hemorrhagic transformation of cerebral edema., Conclusion: A prospective study is needed to determine risk factors for de novo seizures and determine prophylactic treatment.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation (PR) and botulinum therapy in the treatment of facial nerve neuropathy (FNN) complications., Material and Methods: Sixty-eight patients with FNN of various etiologies, including 70 women and 6 men aged 38 [31; 46] years, were studied. Time to seek medical help was 717 [256; 1638] days. Diagnosis of the motor pattern included determining the strength of facial muscles, identifying complications - muscle hypertonicity and synkinesis, assessment with the House-Brackmann Grading System, the Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0 and the Sunnybrook facial grading system. All patients were prescribed a standard PR complex, additionally muscle relaxation was performed on both sides by injections of Incobotulinumtoxin A (BTA) - BTA group ( n =34; 44.7%) or special PR techniques - physiotherapy group ( n =42; 55.3%)., Results: The both groups are comparable by age, sex, etiology and duration of treatment, however, patients in the BTA group have more severe stage of FNN ( U =534.5; p =0.031). There is a limitation in the volume of active movements in patients with muscles hypertonicity of the affected side, which was associated with insufficient muscle strength. In the BTA group, the severity of complications (muscles hypertonicity and synkinesis) is decreased on the affected side, and in 1 / 4 of the cases it is accompanied by an increase of muscles strength. In the physiotherapy group, the decrease in the severity of complications is less significant, but is associated with an increase of muscles strength (χ 2 =45.505; p <0001)., Conclusions: PR and botulinum toxin therapy are effective methods of treating FNN complications. Special PR techniques for relaxing and stretching muscles are applicable for the prevention and treatment of mild disorders. Botulinum therapy allows achieving a significant stable clinical effect in the treatment of moderate and severe complications (muscle hypertonicity and synkinesis).

Background: Microsurgical decompression of the spinal root in patients with herniated intervertebral discs is the most common spinal surgery. However, most national and foreign studies devoted to assessment of postoperative outcomes contain no consensus on the timing of radicular pain syndrome relief after decompression and predictors of unfavorable outcomes., Objective: To determine the period of radicular pain syndrome relief after microsurgical decompression and to identify clinical and neuroimaging predictors of unfavorable postoperative outcomes., Material and Methods: The study included 58 patients aged 26-73 years with clinical manifestations of L5 radiculopathy following compression by L4-L5 herniated disc. We assessed neurological status, functional state (Oswestry Disability Index) and fatty infiltration of paravertebral muscles. Results. Isolated radicular pain was observed in 31% of patients, combination of pain syndrome and sensory disorders - 17%, pain syndrome and motor disorders - 24%, pain syndrome, sensory and motor disorders - 28% of patients. Duration of disease until surgery was significantly longer in women ( p =0.030). Complete relief of radicular pain immediately after surgery was observed in 24 (48%) patients. Sixteen (32%) patients had persistent pain syndrome for up to 1 month. Relief of radicular pain on the first postoperative day was significantly more common in patients without motor disorders ( p <0.014). The outcomes of microsurgical decompression did not depend on duration of disease ( p =0.551), sex ( p =0.794), age ( p =0.491) and degree of fatty infiltration of paravertebral muscles ( p =0.686)., Conclusion: Radicular pain regresses within 4 weeks after microsurgical decompression. The predictor of unfavorable postoperative outcomes (long-standing pain syndrome and no functional improvement) is any preoperative motor impairment.

Objective: To analyze the diagnosis, treatment and rehabiltation of patients with marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve (MMB)., Material and Methods: We have collected 6 patients (mean age 40 [33.8; 44] years) with isolated lesion of MMB that innervates the depressor labii inferioris and chin muscle. The illness duration without any improvement was 35 [13; 44] days. Diagnosis and treatment were carried out according to the special algorithm developed and implemented at the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Medicine., Results: With needle myography of the muscle that lowers the lower lip, the change in the ratio of the maximum amplitudes of the interference pattern (MAIP) in all patients exceeded 15%, and in 2 cases it was more than 90%. Comparing with the healthy face side, a change of the MAIP ratio less than 90% was considered as the biomarker of favorable prognosis, with conservative treatment recommendations, e.g. the set of exercises with targeted effects on depressor labii inferioris. With regular exercises, patients noted positive dynamics of restoring the symmetry of the smile in 1-2 months of the disease, full recovery - in 4-5 months. In case of exercises rejection, there was no positive dynamics. A change in the MAIP ratio more than 90% or the absence of motor unit potentials was considered as the biomarker of an unfavorable outcome and an indication for surgical treatment. After surgical treatment, the improvement occurred within 4-5 months. In conservative treatment group, there were no positive changes even with regular exercises., Conclusion: The diagnosis of an isolated lesion of MMB is established clinically using a protocol of step-by-step assessment of facial muscle function, and tactics is determined by needle myography with depressor labii inferioris. Even with favorable myographic predictors, spontaneous recovery may not occur, exercises with a targeted effect on the depressor labii inferioris are required, and in the presence of unfavorable predictors, surgical treatment is reccomended.

One of the most common causes of radiculopathy requiring neurosurgical treatment is a herniated disc. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is still the main diagnostic approach for this lesion. However, MRI does not allow assessing the functional state of the root. Neurophysiological examination assesses the function of peripheral nervous system. These methods are used for differential diagnosis of causes of neurological symptoms and determine the level of the nerve root injury., Objective: To assess the role of electromyography including paraspinal muscle mapping in diagnosis of radiculopathies following spine diseases., Material and Methods: We have analyzed literature data in the Scopus, Pubmed, and RSCI databases and selected 93 references for primary reviewing. Final analysis enrolled the manuscripts with a detailed description of neurophysiological examinations and data on sensitivity/specificity of these methods., Results: Needle electromyography (EMG) is the most informative neurophysiological method for diagnosis of radicular damage. Sensitivity of EMG is up to 90% for lumbosacral radiculopathy. Electromyography of the paraspinal muscles can be used in case of of cervical, thoracic and lumbar radiculopathy in addition to EMG of limb muscles. Therefore sensitivity increases to 100%. Diagnostic value of nerve conduction study (NCS) is low, and performing NCS without EMG is not useful., Conclusion: In neurosurgical practice electrodiagnostic (EDX) should be performed for differential diagnosis of radiculopathy and peripheral nervous system lesions, to determine the level of radicular compression, and when physical examination does not correspond with neuroimaging or MRI is not possible to perform.

The article presents the work of a multidisciplinary team of experts from various fields of medicine to optimize the «Questionnaire for assessing chronic pelvic pain and pelvic organ dysfunction (QCPPD) of the Ryzhikh National Medical Research Centre for Coloproctology» for use in clinical practice. The survey of respondents was conducted from June 28 to September 28, 2021. As a result of this survey, by repeatedly making edits and clarifications during communication with respondents, the final version was obtained, which allows assessing the patient's subjective sensations by the nature and localization of pelvic pain, sensitivity disorders and pelvic organ function. The main objective of this Questionnaire is to differentiate patients with neurogenic pain from a huge number of patients with chronic pelvic pain. This aspect will allow a more targeted approach to the diagnosis and pathogenetically justified treatment of patients, including after appropriate instrumental examinations. The work of a multidisciplinary team implies a higher degree of objectification and terminological accuracy of the Questionnaire under discussion. The presented version of the «Questionnaire for assessing chronic pelvic pain and pelvic organ dysfunction (QCPPD) of the Ryzhikh National Medical Research Centre for Coloproctology» will be primarily used in coloproctological patients with pelvic pain problems and anal incontinence and obstructive defecation. Further studies will be directed to the clinical evaluation of the results of the work carried out.

Interchannel EEG synchronization, as well as its violation, is an important diagnostic sign of a number of diseases. In particular, during an epileptic seizure, such synchronization occurs starting from some pairs of channels up to many pairs in a generalized seizure. Additionally, for example, after traumatic brain injury, the destruction of interneuronal connections occurs, which leads to a violation of interchannel synchronization when performing motor or cognitive tests. Within the framework of a unified approach to the analysis of interchannel EEG synchronization using the ridges of wavelet spectra, two problems were solved. First, the segmentation of the initial data of long-term monitoring of scalp EEG with various artifacts into fragments suspicious of epileptic seizures in order to reduce the total duration of the fragments analyzed by the doctor. Second, assessments of recovery after rehabilitation of cognitive functions in patients with moderate traumatic brain injury. In the first task, the initial EEG was segmented into fragments in which at least two channels were synchronized, and by the adaptive threshold method into fragments with a high value of the EEG power spectral density. Overlapping in time synchronized fragments with fragments of high spectral power density was determined. As a result, the total duration of the fragments for analysis by the doctor was reduced by more than 60 times. In the second task, the network of phase-related EEG channels was determined during the cognitive test before and after rehabilitation. Calculation-logical and spatial-pattern cognitive tests were used. The positive dynamics of rehabilitation was determined during the initialization of interhemispheric connections and connections in the frontal cortex of the brain.

Objective: To investigate the informativeness of long-term scalp EEG monitoring in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI)., Material and Methods: The informativity of long-term EEG monitoring (LTM) was performed in 60 patients with acute severe TBI. Odd ratios (OR) of unfavorable outcome and non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) among clinical, neurophysiological and radiological features were calculated., Results: EEG features of the unfavorable outcome are: slowing of the dominant background rhythm below q range (OR 3.5, CI 1.2-10.7), absence of frontal-occipital gradient (OR 10.2, CI 1.89-10.12), absence of reactivity (OR 8.75, CI 2.14-35.7), absence of variability (OR 6.25, CI 1.72-22.6) and absence of NREM sleep, stage 2 (OR 5.8, CI 1.79-18.91). Clinical features associated with the unfavorable outcome are: a decrease in GCS score (OR 1.25, CI 1.07-1.47), TBI severity (OR 2.46, CI 1.16-5.18), axial dislocation (OR 4.45, CI 1.08-18.29). ORs for NCSE are significant for the following EEG features: presence of rhythmic and periodic patterns (RPP) (OR 11.92, CI 1.37-103.39), stimulus induced RPP (OR 23.14, CI 2.56-209.34), "plus" modifier (OR 4.11, CI 1.13-14.91) and electrographic evolution (OR 13.05, CI 3.59-47.39). Background rhythm slowing below q range reduces NCSE probability (OR 3.33, CI 1.09-10)., Conclusion: Long-term EEG monitoring is an informative tool for prognosis of outcome and diagnosis of NCSE in patients with severe TBI. The risk of NCSE increases with Marshall score but NCSE is not associated with poor outcome that requires an individual selection of intensive care.

Epilepsy surgery is effective in 30-82% of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. However, risk factors of unfavorable outcomes after epilepsy surgery require further study., Objective: To evaluate risk factors of favorable and unfavorable long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy., Material and Methods: Postoperative outcomes in a large cohort of patients with epilepsy are reported for the first time in the Russian Federation. There were 271 patients with drug-resistant scheduled for surgery. Preoperative examination and surgical treatment were carried out between January 1, 2014 and December 12, 2019 at the Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry and Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Care. We used Engel grading system to assess postoperative outcomes after 12, 24, 48 and 60 months. We distinguished favorable (Engel I-II) and unfavorable (Engel III-IV) outcomes and analyzed the factors influencing postoperative results in these patients., Results: There were 319 surgical procedures in 271 patients (217 primary resections, implantation of vagus nerve stimulator in 31 patients, 9 redo resections and 8 radiosurgical procedures). Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) was found in 162 (60%) patients, «dual pathology» - in 118 (44%) cases. In 12 months after surgery, favorable outcomes (Engel l-II) were observed in 69% of patients ( n =148), after 24 months - in 71% ( n =127) of patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 (1.9%) patients. There was no mortality. The earlier onset of epilepsy ( p =0.01), multifocal ( p =0.002) and bilateral lesions ( p =0.0038) were the most significant risk factors of unfavorable postoperative outcomes., Conclusion: Surgical resection is effective approach for drug-resistant epilepsy.

Background: In humans, early pathological activity on invasive electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and its putative association with pathomorphology in the early period of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains obscure., Methods: We assessed pathological activity on scalp electroencephalograms (EEGs) and ECoGs in patients with acute TBI, early electrophysiological changes after lateral fluid percussion brain injury (FPI), and electrophysiological correlates of hippocampal damage (microgliosis and neuronal loss), a week after TBI in rats., Results: Epileptiform activity on ECoGs was evident in 86% of patients during the acute period of TBI, ECoGs being more sensitive to epileptiform and periodic discharges. A "brush-like" ECoG pattern superimposed over rhythmic delta activity and periodic discharge was described for the first time in acute TBI. In rats, FPI increased high-amplitude spike incidence in the neocortex and, most expressed, in the ipsilateral hippocampus, induced hippocampal microgliosis and neuronal loss, ipsilateral dentate gyrus being most vulnerable, a week after TBI. Epileptiform spike incidence correlated with microglial cell density and neuronal loss in the ipsilateral hippocampus., Conclusion: Epileptiform activity is frequent in the acute period of TBI period and is associated with distant hippocampal damage on a microscopic level. This damage is probably involved in late consequences of TBI. The FPI model is suitable for exploring pathogenetic mechanisms of post-traumatic disorders.

Purpose: Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) provides noninvasive visualization of eloquent brain areas. The nTMS is usually applied in presurgical planning to minimize the risk of surgery-related neurological deterioration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of nTMS data for GammaKnife treatment planning for patients suffering from brain metastases., Methods: Motor cortex mapping with nTMS was performed in eight patients with brain metastases within or adjacent to the precentral gyrus. The nTMS data set was imported into the planning software and fused with anatomical MRI. Then contouring of the target and critical structures was performed. Treatment plans with and without visualization of the functional structures by nTMS were analyzed and compared by neurosurgeon and medical physicist., Results: The primary motor cortex was successfully delineated even in all cases despite significant peritumoral edema. Beam shaping and combined isocenters were used for conformal dose distribution and steeper dose fall-off near the identified eloquent zone. Compared with plans without nTMS data, treatment plans with integration of cortical nTMS mapping data showed a 2% to 78% (mean, 35.2% ± 22.7%) lower 12-Gy volume within the motor cortex without reduction of the dose applied to the tumor., Conclusions: The presented approach allows the easy and reliable integration of neurophysiological mapping data into GammaKnife treatment plans by the standard GammaPlan software. Diminishing the dose to critical structures might help to minimize side effects and therefore improve quality of life for brain metastasis patients.

The purpose of the review was to determine the capabilities of neurophysiological examination for predicting the outcome of spinal injury. We have analyzed the methods of neurophysiological examination of spinal cord function and the role of these data in prediction of functional recovery in patients with complicated vertebral-spinal injury. Application of functional diagnostic methods for spinal shock was also considered.

Objective: To determine the incidence of non-convulsive status epilepticus, epileptiform activity, rhythmic and periodic patterns in patients with acute stroke., Material and Method: An analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) in 86 stroke patients in the neurointensive care unit of the tertiary medical center was performed. Criteria for starting EEG recording were epileptic seizures or clinical suspicion of uncontrolled epileptic status. The ictal-interictal continuum biomarkers and the diagnostic value of EEG for prediction of survival and recovery were assessed., Results: Pathological changes on EEG were recorded in 84% of patients. These patients showed the absence of the dominant occipital rhythm (66%) and hemispheric slowing (42%). Diffuse slowing below the theta range was observed in 41% of patients. EEG reactivity was absent in 20%. Sporadic epileptiform discharges were recorded in 36% of patients and rhythmic and periodic patterns in 26%. Reliable predictors of the unfavorable outcome were the absence of dominant occipital rhythm, lack of reactivity, and low amplitude of the background EEG. No association between the recording of epileptiform activity and the probability of death was shown., Conclusion: The most useful EEG biomarkers for predicting survival are amplitude, dominant frequency of background EEG activity and reactivity to external stimulus. Sporadic epileptiform discharges, rhythmic, and periodic patterns are not mandatory associated with a negative prognosis in stroke patients.

A 30-year-old woman with giant fusiform aneurysm of the azygos anterior cerebral artery is reported. Clipping of the aneurysm followed by modeling of pericallosal artery was performed in 2017. However, further enlargement of the aneurysm has been observed for subsequent 2 years. The patient underwent redo surgery with excision of the aneurysm followed by «hemi-bonnet bypass» procedure (anastomosis between superficial temporal artery and anterior cerebral artery with radial artery as an interposition graft). Literature data on reconstructive surgery in the treatment of complex pericallosal artery aneurysms are reviewed.

Aim: To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of patients with unilateral MRI-positive temporal forms of drug-resistant epilepsy., Material and Methods: A prospective analysis of 50 patients with unilateral MRI-positive temporal forms of drug-resistant epilepsy, who had undergone resective surgery in the Scientific Research Institute of Emergency Medicine of N.V. Sklifosovsky (Moscow) and in University Clinic of Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry between 01.01.14 and 12.12.17, has been performed. MRI-positive temporal symptomatic epilepsy was identified in 79 (55%) patients. MRI results showed unilateral temporal epileptogenic lesions in 50 (67%) patients. These patients were assigned to medial frontal lobectomy., Results: 82% patients become 'seizure free' 12 and 24 months after surgical treatment. In other cases, seizures become less frequent and severe., Conclusion: The results confirm the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment of drug-resistant MRI-positive temporal forms of epilepsy.

Background: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease manifested by a whole group of motor, cognitive, affective, and other disorders. Many of them cannot be controlled by modern pharmacotherapy in full measure. New treatments, including nondrug ones, are needed., Objective: To evaluate the impact of rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor, cognitive, and affective disorders in Parkinson's disease., Material and Methods: The investigation enrolled 55 patients with Stage III Parkinson's disease according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: a study group (n=35) and a control one (n=20). The groups were matched for age, disease type and duration, and symptom severity. The basic therapy for Parkinson's disease included Levodopa in combination with dopamine receptor agonists and monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. All the patients in the study group underwent a cycle of therapeutic transcranial magnetic stimulation. Both patient groups underwent clinical and neurological examinations and tests using various scales. All the patients were followed up for 6 months., Results: The patients who had undergone a cycle of magnetic stimulation showed a significant improvement in motor functions. There was a decrease in the total MDS-UPDRS-III scores by an average of 6.4 (p<0.05) and that in the GABS scores by 5.9 (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation can be considered as an additional treatment for Parkinson's disease. No significant side effects were noted during and after stimulation.

The review presents the methodology of electroencephalography (EEG) background analysis, sporadic epileptiform discharges classification, and description of the rhythmic and periodic patterns in patients with primary and secondary brain damage. It describes the process of decision making in starting non-convulsive status epilepticus treatment of patients with EEG-verified non-convulsive status epilepticus and the signs of 'malignant' patterns indicating the irreversibility of brain injury.

Aim: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors for posttraumatic seizures (PTS)., Material and Methods: The authors conducted a prospective study of 237 patients with TBI of varying severity. The patients were hospitalized and examined in Moscow neurosurgery departments. Then they participated in the follow-up observation for 2 years. PTS were classified as early (occurred from 1 to 7 days after TBI) and late (occurred later than 7 days)., Results and Conclusion: Forty-three people (18.1%) experienced early seizures, 15 patients (6.3%) had late seizures. The early seizures were the significant predictor of the late seizures. In the group of patients with early seizures, the proportion of severe TBI was significantly higher. Subdural hematoma, depressed skull fracture, alcohol abuse were reliable predictors of early and late PTS. Thus, these factors increased the risk of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE).

Aim: The study aimed at determining clinical and electromyography characteristics and developing the methods of CIPN treatment., Material and Methods: A clinical and electromyographic examinations and treatment of 30 with CIPN symptoms developed after polychemotherapy were performed. The authors developed treatment schemes included allopathic, homeopathic drugs, hydrotherapy and pharmacopuncture., Results and Conclusion: Most of the patients were diagnosed with axonal polyneuropathy with affection of long nerves of the limbs, some patients had a combination of axonopathy with myelopathy. After treatment, regression of neuropathy symptoms and improvement of quality of life was noted in all patients.

In this literature review, the authors summarize the data on affective disorders in Parkinson's disease (frequency, clinical presentations, treatment), the results on using transcranial magnetic stimulation, its safety in Parkinson's disease.

Aim: To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy., Material and Methods: Examination and surgical treatment of 61 patients with pharmacoresistant forms of symptomatic epilepsy were performed from 01.01.14 to 01.05.16., Results and Conclusion: The results confirmed the safety and efficacy of the surgical treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. After 12 months, seizures were controlled in 69% of operated patients. The necessity of complex examination of all patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy to make a decision about possible surgery is shown.