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Introduction: Germinogenic central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent a heterogeneous group of tumors, constituting approximately 0.4% of all primary brain tumors. Removal of the tumor has no prognostic value. In "pure" primary germinomas of the CNS, the alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin levels are within normal limits, and no specific biochemical tumor markers currently exist for this tumor type, making histological verification crucial for the choice of treatment tactics. When the tumor is located in the chiasmosellar region, one of the possible verification methods is endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal biopsy. Objective: the main objective of the study is to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic transsphenoidal approach for histological verification of primary germinomas of the CNS with chiasmosellar localization. Materials and Methods: The current study includes 13 patients with "pure" germinomas of the chiasmosellar region who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgical interventions with subsequent treatment according to the "Germinoma 2008" protocol. Results: The extent of surgical intervention ranged from biopsy (4) to partial (5) and total (4) removal of the tumor. In all cases, histological verification of the diagnosis was achieved and none of the patients presented with cerebrospinal fluid leaks and/or meningitis in the postoperative period, allowing to evaluate endoscopic intervention in our patient series as safe and effective. Two out of 13 patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: The endoscopic endonasal approach for histological verification and removal of chiasmosellar region germinomas is safe, and in some cases, less traumatic for the patient than transcranial and transventricular approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A thorough understanding of the central nervous system anatomy is a fundamental part of a neurosurgeon's training. Development of novel neurosurgical approaches and optimization of existing ones directly depend on the comprehensive study of topographic anatomy of the head and neck using cadaveric specimens. Staining the vessels of the arterial and venous systems of a cadaveric specimen aids a detailed study of the vascularization of anatomic structures of the brain. Here we describe an alternative expedited method for creating anatomic preparations of the human brain using colored silicone for vascular perfusion staining. Methods A nonfixed, whole cadaver (with the head intact), without central nervous system pathology, no later than 48 hours after death, is used to prepare the human brain specimen through staining of arterial and venous vessels. Results Our proposed method provides a fast and inexpensive approach to making anatomic preparations of the human brain with staining of the vascular system. The preparations thus obtained can be used for educational purposes, aiding the study of normal and topographic anatomy of the brain, as well as the development of new microsurgical and/or endoscopic approaches. Conclusions In experienced hands, our proposed method allows the creation of anatomic preparations relatively fast, at low cost, and with excellent quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]