Hydrocephalus Paper of the Month  

We are pleased to present this month’s interesting study, “Real-Time 2D Phase-Contrast MRI to Assess Cardiac- and Respiratory-Driven CSF Movement in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus” authored Karki P, Murphy MC, Ganji S, Gunter JL, Graff-Radford J, Jones DT, Botha H, Cutsforth-Gregory JK, Elder BD, Jack CR Jr, Huston J 3rd, Cogswell PM. 

This study explored cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) using real-time 2D PC-MRI at multiple intracranial locations. Patients with iNPH, Alzheimer’s disease and healthy controls were included. Measurements of CSF movement at the lateral ventricle were effective for differentiating the different groups. The authors conclude that evaluation of CSF biomarkers beyond the aqueduct may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of iNPH.  

Read the Full Paper here: PubMed  

Hydrocephalus Paper of the Month  

We are pleased to present this month’s interesting study, “Neutrophil extracellular trap-mediated impairment of meningeal lymphatic drainage exacerbates secondary hydrocephalus after intraventricular hemorrhage” authored by:
Qiang Zhang, Yujie Chen, Yingpei Li, Zhou Feng, Liang Liang, Xiaoke Hao, Wenbo Kang, Zhaoqi Zhang, Xuyang Zhang, Rong Hu, Hua Feng and Zhi Chen. 

he study investigates hydrocephalus, a significant complication that can occur following intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhages, leading to impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation. The research highlights the role of brain meningeal lymphatic vessels (mLVs) as critical drainage pathways for CSF and examines how the degradation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can alleviate hydrocephalus.  

The findings point to a connection between mLVs, NETs, and the development of brain injury and secondary hydrocephalus, suggesting that NETs contribute to acute injury of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and lymphatic thrombosis. CX3CR1 is identified as a key molecule in this process, indicating that targeting NETs may offer a new approach to prevent the obstruction of meningeal lymphatic drainage after intraventricular hemorrhage.  

This research is important as it enhances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying hydrocephalus and may lead to improved therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from cerebrospinal fluid-related disorders. 

Read the Full Paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ 

We are pleased to present this month’s interesting paper, “Presentation, management, and outcomes of pediatric hydrocephalus in Africa:

a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12,355 patients“ authored by:

Kwadwo Darko, Mina Guirguis, Michael Farid, Pooja Venkatesh, Emmanuel Kwadwo, Osei Adjei, Nancy Abu-Bonsrah, Umaru Barrie, Brett Whittemore, Salah G Aoun, Bruno P Braga, Mabel Banson, Teddy Totimeh

📊 This recent meta-analysis provides an in-depth overview of over 10,000 cases of pediatric hydrocephalus in Africa, emphasizing shunting as the main treatment method. Post-infectious hydrocephalus was identified as the cause in over 40% of cases.

Read the Full Paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

We are pleased to present this month’s interesting study, “A novel SMARCC1 BAFopathy implicates neural progenitor epigenetic dysregulation in human hydrocephalus” authored by:

Amrita K Singh, Garrett Allington, Stephen Viviano, Stephen McGee, Emre Kiziltug, Shaojie Ma, Shujuan Zhao, Kedous Y Mekbib, John P Shohfi, Phan Q Duy, Tyrone DeSpenza Jr, Charuta G Furey, Benjamin C Reeves, Hannah Smith, Andre M M Sousa, Adriana Cherskov, August Alloco, Carol Nelson-Williams, Shozeb Haider, Syed R A Rizvi, Seth L Alper, Nenad Sestan, Hermela Shimelis, Lauren K Walsh, Richard P Lifton, Andres Moreno-De-Luca, Sheng Chih Jin, Paul Kruszka, Engin Deniz and Kristopher T Kahle

This study from Harvard and Yale Universities suggests that SMARCC1 variants lead to congenital hydrocephalus by altering the epigenetic regulation of gene expression of neural progenitor cell proliferation. These findings have the potential to improve the prognosis and treatment of affected children.

Read the Full Paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38128548/

We are pleased to present this month’s interesting study, “Prediction of Surgical Outcomes in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus by MR Elastography”, authored by Pragalv Karki, Matthew C Murphy, Petrice M Cogswell, Matthew L Senjem, Jonathan Graff-Radford, Benjamin D Elder, Avital Perry, Christopher S Graffeo, Fredic B Meyer, Clifford R Jack Jr, Richard L Ehman and John Huston 3rd.

This study uses MR Elastography to predict surgical outcomes in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), offering a non invasive alternative to traditional methods. Results suggest improved NPH diagnostic odds ratio and positive predictive value. This advancement could significantly improve the management of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, impacting the lives of those affected by this condition.

Read the Full Paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38272572/

“Ventriculoatrial Shunt Versus Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” authored by: Leonardo de Barros Oliveira, Fernando Hakim, Gabriel da Silva Semione, Raphael Bertani, Savio Batista, Lucca B Palavani, Marcelo Porto Sousa, Diego F Gomez-Amarillo, Isabella Mejia-Michelsen, Fernando Campos Gomes Pinto, Nicollas Nunes Rabelo, Leonardo C Welling, Eberval Gadelha Figueiredo.

Exciting findings from the latest research by the Hydrocephalus Society! A recent study compared ventriculoatrial and ventriculoperitoneal shunting techniques, revealing no significant differences in outcomes. More research, especially in adults, is needed. Emphasizing the importance of future randomized trials for optimal cerebrospinal fluid drainage. This work supports personalized neurosurgical approaches, improving decision-making in hydrocephalus treatment. Advancing strategies for managing hydrocephalus.

#HydrocephalusResearch #Neurosurgery #MedicalAdvancements 🧠✨

Read the Full Paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38117090/

“The glymphatic system for neurosurgeons: a scoping review ” authored by:

Mohammad Al Masri, Alba Corell, Isak Michaëlsson, Asgeir S. Jakola and Thomas Skoglund.

This review by the Neurosurgery department at Gothenburg, offers an insightful analysis on the impact of glymphatic system in different conditions such as Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, Stroke, Intracranial tumors and Traumatic brain injury and its potential role as a therapeutic target.

doi: 10.1007/s10143-024-02291-6

Read more here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10143-024-02291-6