The potential of impedance spectroscopy application in intraoperative diagnostics of cerebral tumor boundaries
N. E. Voinov,
A. Yu. Ulitin,
V. E. Olyushin,
V. D. Goncharov,
R. V. Yashkardin,
A. E. Gerasimenko,
A. S. Nechaeva,
D. A. Epanchinov,
V. E. Trofimov,
K. K. Kukanov,
K. A. Samochernykh https://doi.org/10.56618/2071-2693_2026_18_2_108
EDN: SKTFXX
Abstract
Over the past hundred years, numerous studies of brain tissue impedance have been conducted in an attempt to develop a new diagnostic method. The results of these studies indicate qualitative changes in the impedance of brain tissue in the presence of brain neoplasms. Of particular interest are studies performed over a wide frequency range. Several studies have shown that the impedance of healthy tissues differs by a factor of 1.5 from that of tumors. However, when analyzing the research data, significant discrepancies can be observed in the impedance values obtained for the same type of biological substrates. Standardizing the results requires solving the complex problem of mathematical data processing to obtain the specific electrical characteristics of the tissues under study. Solving this problem necessitates taking into account the features and pathways of alternating electric current flow through complex, heterogeneous biological structures. These methodological difficulties, along with the significant variability of published data obtained under different conditions, necessitate a critical analysis of the evolution of cerebral tissue impedance measurement methods – from the first attempts in the early 20th century to modern research – in order to determine the prospects of this method for intraoperative use in neuro-oncology.
Supporting agencies: The study was supported by grant from the Innovation Promotion Fund No. 5550GS1/112075 dated 23 December 2025
About the Authors
N. E. Voinov
Polenov Neurosurgery Institute – the branch of Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Nikita E. Voinov, Neurosurgeon
191025; 12 Mayakovskogo street; St. Petersburg
A. Yu. Ulitin
Polenov Neurosurgery Institute – the branch of Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexey Yu. Ulitin, Dr. of Sci. (Med.), Full Professor, Honored Doctor of Russian Federation, Neurosurgeon of the Highest Qualification Category, Chief Freelance Neurosurgeon at the St. Petersburg Healthcare Committee, Head at the Department, Professor
Department of Neurosurgery No 4; Department of Neurosurgery; Department of Neurosurgery named after prof. A. L. Polenov
191025; 12 Mayakovskogo street; St. Petersburg
V. E. Olyushin
Polenov Neurosurgery Institute – the branch of Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Viktor E. Olyushin, Dr. of Sci. (Med.), Full Professor, Chief Researcher
Research Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology
191025; 12 Mayakovskogo street; St. Petersburg
Author ID: 118325
V. D. Goncharov
St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V. I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Vadim D. Goncharov, Dr. of Sci. (Tech.), Professor
Department of Theoretical Foundations of Electrical Engineering
197022; 5 Professora Popova street; St. Petersburg
R. V. Yashkardin
St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V. I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Rostislav V. Yashkardin, Cand. of Sci. (Tech.), Associate Professor
Department of Theoretical Foundations of Electrical Engineering
197022; 5 Professora Popova street; St. Petersburg
A. E. Gerasimenko
St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V. I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexandra E. Gerasimenko, Postgraduate Student, Assistant
Department of Biotechnical Systems
197022; 5 Professora Popova street; St. Petersburg
A. S. Nechaeva
Polenov Neurosurgery Institute – the branch of Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Anastasia S. Nechaeva, Cand. of Sci. (Med.), Researcher
Research Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology
191025; 12 Mayakovskogo street; St. Petersburg
D. A. Epanchinov
St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V. I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dmitry A. Epanchinov, Master
Department of Theoretical Foundations of Electrical Engineering
197022; 5 Professora Popova street; St. Petersburg
V. E. Trofimov
St. Elizabeth City Hospital
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Valery E. Trofimov, Neurosurgeon
195257; 14 Vavilova street; St. Petersburg
K. K. Kukanov
Polenov Neurosurgery Institute – the branch of Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Konstantin K. Kukanov, Cand. of Sci. (Med.), Neurosurgeon of the Highest Qualification Category, Leading Researcher
Neurosurgical Department No. 4; Research Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology
191025; 12 Mayakovskogo street; St. Petersburg
K. A. Samochernykh
Polenov Neurosurgery Institute – the branch of Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Konstantin A. Samochernykh, Dr. of Sci. (Med.), Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Neurosurgeon of the Highest Category, Director at the Institute
Department of Neurosurgery for Children No. 7
191025; 12 Mayakovskogo street; St. Petersburg
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Review
For citations:
Voinov N.E., Ulitin A.Yu., Olyushin V.E., Goncharov V.D., Yashkardin R.V., Gerasimenko A.E., Nechaeva A.S., Epanchinov D.A., Trofimov V.E., Kukanov K.K., Samochernykh K.A. The potential of impedance spectroscopy application in intraoperative diagnostics of cerebral tumor boundaries. Russian Neurosurgical Journal named after Professor A. L. Polenov. 2026;18(2):108-118. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.56618/2071-2693_2026_18_2_108. EDN: SKTFXX
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