Regional Clinical Center of Neurosurgery and Neurology” of the Zakarpattia Regional Council - Lille University Hospital (CHU Lille)

Cooperation between the medical institutions was formally established by a memorandum signed at the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in September 2023. This agreement has opened new opportunities for joint work in the fields of neurosurgery and neurology, particularly in the treatment of ischaemic stroke.

At present, the main areas of cooperation include:

Diagnosis and treatment of ischaemic stroke – joint efforts to improve diagnostic and treatment methods for ischaemic stroke, which is one of the priority areas of activity for both medical institutions;

Establishing communication between interventional radiology departments – creating effective communication channels between departments to facilitate the exchange of experience and expertise, thereby improving patient treatment outcomes;

Specialist visits – organisation of visits by French neuroradiologists to Ukraine to conduct hands-on training and consultations, as well as visits by Ukrainian specialists to France for advanced professional training;

Development of training courses – creation of a mechanical thrombectomy training course based on the French model, enabling Ukrainian physicians to master new treatment techniques;

Mentorship – organisation of mentoring visits by French specialists, with the possibility of engaging mentors for online consultations, among other activities.

Over the year of the partnership’s existence, the following results have already been achieved:

Four patients were treated at the Zakarpattia Centre. Three interventional neuroradiologists and four neurosurgeons gained valuable practical experience during training.

French specialists visited Ukraine on three occasions.

One Ukrainian neuroradiologist spent two weeks in France, where he participated in a neuroradiology congress.

In June 2024, interventional neuroradiologist Emmanuel Chaber from Clermont-Ferrand paid his first visit to Uzhhorod. During this visit, four surgical interventions were performed, including three stent placements and one embolisation. Patients who had experienced ischaemic strokes underwent angioplasty with stent placement to prevent recurrent ischaemic events. Stroke treatment and prevention are among the centre’s priority areas, making this experience particularly valuable.

In addition, a patient with an arteriovenous fistula causing persistent pulsatile tinnitus behind the ear was treated. Coil embolisation via a transvenous approach was selected for treatment—a method not previously used at the centre. Following the procedure, the patient reported a significant reduction in the intensity of the noise.

During Dr Chaber’s visit, interventional neuroradiologists and early-career neurosurgeons had the opportunity to acquire new skills and exchange professional experience.

An interventional neuroradiologist also completed a two-week internship in Clermont-Ferrand in September 2024, and Dr Emmanuel made a follow-up visit to Uzhhorod in November.

Cooperation between Lille University Hospital and the Zakarpattia Regional Clinical Centre of Neurosurgery and Neurology continues to develop, contributing to the introduction of modern medical technologies and the improvement of the quality of medical services in Ukraine.