Shunt Technology Research Articles

Nonlinear Structural Acoustic Control with Shunt Circuit Governed by a Soft-Computing Algorithm

Noise control has gained a lot of attention recently. However, presence of nonlinearities in signal paths for some applications can cause significant difficulties in the operation of control algorithms. In particular, this problem is common in structural noise control, which uses a piezoelectric shunt circuit. Not only vibrating structures may exhibit nonlinear characteristics, but also piezoelectric actuators. In this paper, active device casing is addressed. The objective is to minimize the noise coming out of the casing, by controlling vibration of its walls. The shunt technology is applied. The proposed control algorithm is based on algorithms from a group of soft computing. It is verified by means of simulations using data acquired from a real object.

Application of program for nurse’s management about care of children treated with Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt

Background: Hydrocephalus management present as a significant challenge for child, parents, and multidisciplinary health care team. Despite the advancements in shunt technology and neurosurgery treatment techniques, many children with hydrocephalus reported high rates of shunt failure and require shunt revision or replacement. Infants are more susceptible than older children to die as a result of shunt failure, which caused by variety of reasons such as prematurity, low birth weight, infection. Material and Method: The sample of the study was chosen purposive (non-probability). Which consist of (30) nurses from morning and evening shift. The sample of the study was collected from Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital, who provides nursing care service for children with Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt, collected from the places (intensive care unit and wards of neurosurgery in hospital). Results: The results showed that the nurses sample in the study, that 73.3% (22) of the sample at age (20-29) years with mean (1.33) and standard deviation (0.606), 60.0% (18) of the sample was female gender with mean (1.60) and standard deviation (0.498), 46.7% (14) of them was bachelor in nursing of educational level with mean (2.30) and standard deviation (0.750). Conclusion: The study concluded that the nurses’ practice about care for children treatment with ventricular peritoneal shunt was acceptance. Keywords: Application, nurse, Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt

Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Drainage Increases With Gravity and Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure Pulsations: Benchtop Model.

There have been few improvements in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt technology since John Holter introduced the silicon valve, with overdrainage remaining a major source of complications. To better understand why valves are afflicted by supra-normal CSF flow rates. We present in Vitro benchtop analyses of flow through a differential pressure valve under simulated physiological conditions. The pseudo-ventricle benchtop valve testing platform that comprises a rigid pseudo-ventricle, compliance chamber, pulsation generator, and pressure sensors was used to measure flow rates through a differential pressure shunt valve under the following simulated physiological conditions: orientation (horizontal/vertical), compliance (low/medium/high), and pulsation generator force (low/medium/high). Our data show that pulse pressures are faithfully transmitted from the ventricle to the valve, that lower compliance and higher pulse generator forces lead to higher pulse pressures in the pseudo-ventricle, and that both gravity and higher pulse pressure lead to higher flow rates. The presence of a valve mitigates but does not eliminate these higher flow rates. Shunt valves are prone to gravity-dependent overdrainage, which has motivated the development of gravitational valves and antisiphon devices. This study shows that overdrainage is not limited to the vertical position but that pulse pressures that simulate rhythmic (eg, cardiac) and provoked (eg, Valsalva) physiological CSF pulsations increase outflow in both the horizontal and vertical positions and are dependent on compliance. A deeper understanding of the physiological parameters that affect intracranial pressure and flow through shunt systems is prerequisite to the development of novel valves.

Happy birthday Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery: we are two years old!

An unlikely idea became a reality in June 2019 when we gathered an enthusiastic group and started testing the platform & workflow by OJS/PKP thus turning an idea into something concrete. The next step would be choosing the name of the journal and creating the website. Finally, the choice of the national and international editorial board based on academic and scientific criteria. Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery (APN) was born. We published the very first issue of the APN in September 2019. The decision was to use of the Internet and related technologies as an enabler and infrastructure for health innovations. The use of information and communication technologies and the web helps to empower patients (not least through peer-to-peer communications), provides a platform for communication, clinical information and telemedicine (these days often through mobile devices), and revolutionizes information access and medical education [1]. We were not only innovating on content, but also on form. We were the first open access electronic-only journal in pediatric neurosurgery, and also, we are on social media as Facebook, Instagram and tweeter. We have different types of publication highlighted the clinical case, video clinical case, and clinical video lecture. Our YouTube channel, together with SBNPed, has a total of 48 videos and more than a thousand inscriptions. The Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery is a triannual peer-reviewed medical online journal and was recognized in September 2020 as the official publication of the Brazilian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. We believe APN will contribute in furthering efforts to make our dream a reality getting a pediatric neurosurgery medical journal to be recognize in the world as option to publish original papers, clinical case, video clinical case, and others. Some statistics related to APN: MOST DOWNLOADED PDF ARTICLE: Dezena et al. Anatomy of the ventricular system: Historical and morphological aspects MOST READ ABSTRACT: Furlanetti et al. Shunt Technology in Pediatric Neurosurgery: Current options and Scientific Evidence MOST CITED ARTICLE: de Oliveira RS, Ballestero MFM. The Covid-19 Outbreak and Pediatric Neurosurgery guidelines Submissions Received 112 In two years, APN has published 62 international peer-review medical journals in 5 issues from September, 2019 to August, 2021. All articles are available online and free license to open access and download. All the papers were peer-reviewed (Figure 1). During this period, we included a specialized consultancy and we were able to index the APN in several indexing bases: Google Scholar, Cengage, REDIB, Crossref, Dimensions, and the most recent J-Gate. On this special occasion the editorial office would like to extend their greatest appreciation to all editors, and reviewers who have been supportive, and devoted much of their time and effort in nurturing APN. The journal, in particular, would like to thank the authors for placing their faith in this new, bold journal when it was still in its beginning stages. This continuous support has been pivotal to the development of the journal. In the times to come, APN will remain committed to publishing novel, high-quality, and valuable content. APN endeavors to bring readers the most up-to-date information in a wide variety of fields in the hopes of ultimately benefiting patients, all while ensuring the largest possible readership for all articles published in the journal. In our modern globalized academic community, APN recognizes the importance of international collaborations, and seeks to promote itself as an international journal. We have organized a series of articles focusing on important topics in various fields, and invited international prominent experts to co-author. Based on data from Google Analytics, APN is gaining momentum and attracting interest from readers. The number of accesses to abstracts has been increasing progressively since 2019 (Figure 2). As Section Editors, they keep track of the latest and significant research in their areas and recommend international key opinion leaders to review and write editorial comments on those important topics. We will pursue the serious work and include the APN in more indexing databases, expanding its importance in pediatric neurosurgery. Yes, it's time to celebrate this incredible achievement! but continue the professional work. Happy Birthday Archives of Pediatric Neurosurgery! A long life for everyone!

Shunt technology for infants and a lifetime.

The use of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts remains a fundamental therapeutic modality in the management of hydrocephalus. Nowadays, neurosurgeons have an arsenal of different shunt technologies on their hands, with several companies producing many different configurations of them. The greatest difficulty of treating a child with hydrocephalus is to deal with a brain that will enormously change its size and hydrodynamic conditions and a body that will multiply its height and weight in a short time. Detailed knowledge of the hydrodynamic properties of shunts is mandatory for any neurosurgeon and much more for those taking care of pediatric patients. It is necessary to know that these properties of the valve may influence the evolution of the patient after shunting and it is recognized that a patient physiology-specific valve selection may yield better outcomes and decrease complications. This article provides a summary of the most common available CSF valves and overdrainage control devices, their technology, and possible combinations. The objective is to offer a quick overview of the armamentarium to facilitate the recognition of the implanted device and improve the selection of the most suitable valve for each patient.

Outcomes After TIPS for Ascites and Variceal Bleeding in a Contemporary Era-An ALTA Group Study.

Advances in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) technology have led to expanded use. We sought to characterize contemporary outcomes of TIPS by common indications. This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study using data from the Advancing Liver Therapeutic Approaches study group among adults with cirrhosis who underwent TIPS for ascites/hepatic hydrothorax (ascites/HH) or variceal bleeding (2010-2015). Adjusted competing risk analysis was used to assess post-TIPS mortality or liver transplantation (LT). Among 1,129 TIPS recipients, 58% received TIPS for ascites/HH and 42% for variceal bleeding. In patients who underwent TIPS for ascites/HH, the subdistribution hazard ratio (sHR) for death was similar across all Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Sodium (MELD-Na) categories with an increasing sHR with rising MELD-Na. In patients with TIPS for variceal bleeding, MELD-Na ≥20 was associated with increased hazard for death, whereas MELD-Na ≥22 was associated with LT. In a multivariate analysis, serum creatinine was most significantly associated with death (sHR 1.2 per mg/dL, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.4 and 1.37, 95% CI 1.08-1.73 in ascites/HH and variceal bleeding, respectively). Bilirubin and international normalized ratio were most associated with LT in ascites/HH (sHR 1.23, 95% CI 1.15-1.3; sHR 2.99, 95% CI 1.76-5.1, respectively) compared with only bilirubin in variceal bleeding (sHR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.13). MELD-Na has differing relationships with patient outcomes dependent on TIPS indication. These data provide new insights into contemporary predictors of outcomes after TIPS.

The Impact of Hydrocephalus Shunt Devices on Quality of Life

Background: Despite advances in hydrocephalus shunt technology and improvement in hydrocephalus management, many patients have chronic disability and require multiple surgeries throughout their lifetime. There is limited data from patients’ perspective regarding the impact of shunt devices on quality-of-life. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed to evaluate the impact of shunt devices on patient quality-of-life. The survey was distributed via social media platforms of the Hydrocephalus Association, and patients self-selected to anonymously complete the online questionnaire. A literature review was performed to contextualize the findings from the survey. Results: A total of 562 survey responses were obtained from a network encompassing 35,000 members. The mean age was 30 years old (0.5–87), and 65% identified as female. Eighty one percent underwent at least 1 shunt revision surgery, with a reported average of 10 shunt revision surgeries per patient (1–200 surgeries). Occlusion, shunt migration and infection were the leading causes for revision at 60%, 47%, and 35%, respectively. In addition, 72% of patients reported pain and discomfort from the device, and 68% expressed avoidance of certain activities due to “fear of bumping shunt.” Despite numerous articles discussing shunt technology, a review of the literature indicated a paucity of studies specifically evaluating the burden of shunt devices from a patient/caregiver perspective. Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest long-term physical and psychosocial burden associated with shunt devices. Importantly, this study highlights the need for concerted efforts to develop validated tools to study patient reported outcomes as it relates to neurocranial implanted devices.

Shunt Implants – Past, Present and Future

The treatment of hydrocephalus has evolved over centuries from being an enigma to the use of complex bioprosthetics. Major developments have taken place in the past few decades in shunt hardware and technology, with the use of complex flow regulating valves and biomaterials such as medical-grade silicone having revolutionized the management of hydrocephalus. To discuss the evolution of shunts over the decades and how they will evolve in the future. In this article, we mention an overview of the evolution of shunt technology and hardware from the prehistoric, pre-shunt era to the modern shunt and a brief insight into the future of hydrocephalus treatment. We review the history, development, and pioneers in shunt development and discuss the various types and parts of a shunt system. Shunts have been developed from the works of Galen and Hippocrates to the latest technologies using in vivo flow biosensors, computational analysis of flow dynamics, and use of artificial intelligence. This has led to an individualized and appropriate management that can be provided to even the most complex cases of hydrocephalus.

Long term follow-up of shunted idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus patients: a single center experience.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a condition characterized by gait disturbance, dementia and/or urinary incontinence and enlarged ventricular system due to disturbance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This study aims to describe the long-term experience with patients with iNPH submitted to ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) with the programmable valve STRATA® (Medtronic). We prospectively selected a cohort of patients with a diagnosis of iNPH from January 2010 to April 2013 in a Brazilian tertiary hospital. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, which consists of the Mini-Mental State Examination and Time Up and Go tests and the application of Japanese Scale for Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus in three stages: prior to the TT, 3h after the TT and 72h after the TT. Fifty patients were submitted to VPS and followed. There were 32 men and 18 women. Mean age was 77.1 with standard deviation of 10.9. Follow-up time ranged from 96 to 120months, with mean of 106months. After 1year of follow-up, 42 (83%) patients presented with clinical improvement, decreasing to 62% of patients at mid-term follow-up and 38% of patients at late follow-up. Complications occurred in 18% of subjects, needing reoperation in 16%. Our results show relevant clinical impact of shunting in iNPH patients, decreasing over time. Complications should not be underestimated, reaching up to 18% and demanding reoperation in 16% of cases. Thus, although much has been improved with current shunt technology, it is still important to consider the drawbacks of treatment.

A charge balancing technique for neurostimulators

A charge balancing technique that is applicable to dual-edge current nerve stimulators is proposed herein, which is primarily directed to achieving charge balance by controlling discharge times. Compared to the charge balancing technique proposed in other papers, the number of single-cycle imbalanced charges is less than 15 pC. In order to reduce the amount of imbalanced charge, indirect shunt technology, leakage current compensation technology and offset voltage compensation technology was proposed in this paper to build up a synchronization system. To ensure that the neural stimulator can still be in charge balance after performing multiple stimulation cycles, a short pulse insertion technique is applied to the circuit. The circuit was designed based on the TSMC 180 nm process and verified its functionality under the Cadence platform.

Gaps, Controversies, and Proposed Roadmap for Research in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus is considered common but remains underinvestigated. There are no uniformly accepted diagnostic criteria and therapeutic guidelines. We summarize the accumulated evidence regarding the definition, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, highlighting the many gaps and controversies, including diagnostic challenges, the frequent association with neurodegeneration and vascular disease, and the many unknowns regarding patient selection and outcome predictors. A roadmap to fill these gaps and solve the controversies around this condition is also proposed. More evidence is required with respect to diagnostic criteria, the value of ancillary testing, prospective population-based studies and novel trial designs. Furthermore, a need exists to develop new advanced options in shunt technology. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Shunt Technology in Pediatric Neurosurgery: Current options and Scientific Evidence

Introduction: Hydrocephalus is the most common neurosurgical condition among children worldwide and shunt diversion of the cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF) has been widely available. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review on types and models of shunt devices available and critically evaluate scientific evidence in favor of the usage of specific technologies. Methods: Searches of the PubMed database were performed for relevant articles published from until March 2020. Appropriate keywords were used to identify all studies, including: “shunt”, “technology”, “hydrocephalus”, “children”, “pediatric”. The indications and scientific evidence in favor of the usage of specific shunt technology for the treatment of hydrocephalus according to age, underlying pathology and other features of specific patients were discussed under the light of the current literature. Results: A total of 178 peer-reviewed papers were found. Out of them, only 21 matched our inclusion criteria and were finally selected. The papers were reviewed and described technology discussed below. A summary of the main types of shunts commercially available worldwide, including their respective working mechanism and construction was also included. Conclusion:Shunt technology has evolved during the last decades and continues to be intensively developed. Despite of the huge arsenal of different types of shunt systems currently available on the market, the treatment of hydrocephalus remains challenging. Investment in research, education and training, as well as prospective randomized multicentric controlled trials evaluating the role of specific valves in the treatment of individual group of hydrocephalic pediatric patients are urgently needed.

Reevaluation of Ventriculopleural Shunting: Long-Term Efficacy and Complication Rates in the Modern Era

Ventriculopleural shunting (VPLS) is recognized as an alternative method when the standard ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) is not applicable. Nevertheless, there is limited clinical evidence of its effectiveness including long-term patency. Data on 35 consecutive patients who underwent VPLS at a single institution were retrospectively analyzed. The rates of shunt survival and incidence of symptomatic pleural effusion were calculated, and risk factors were evaluated. Mean follow-up after VPLS was 64.1 months. The cumulative overall shunt survival rates were 70%, 44%, and 28% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Among patients with shunt failure, 3 (8.6%) with overdrainage underwent simple valve replacement (from fixed to programmable valve) and retained a VPLS. If these patients are excluded, shunt survival rates were 76%, 51%, and 34% at 1, 3, and 5years, respectively, and the median shunt survival time was 3.0 years. No factor was significantly associated with shunt survival. Cumulative rates of symptomatic pleural effusion were 18%, 23%, and 46% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Median time from VPLS placement to symptomatic pleural effusion was 1.1 years. It seems that VPLS survival has improved with more modern shunt technology. VPLS is a reasonable second-line option when VPS is not feasible. The possibility of pleural effusion is not negligible, but asymptomatic/mild effusions may be managed conservatively.

Mobile Edge Computing Technology and Local Shunt Design

With the continuous innovation of new technologies in social development, mobile edge computing is a new technology widely used in the field of mobile communications. This paper will focus on the analysis of MEC technology used in mobile communications, including the low latency of MEC technology. The role of high-bandwidth advantages, as well as detailed technical solutions for mobile edge computing technology and local shunt technology, provide reference for subsequent research.

Early Readmission After Ventricular Shunting in Adults with Hydrocephalus: A Nationwide Readmission Database Analysis

Ventricular shunting is one of the primary modalities for addressing hydrocephalus in both children and adults. Despite advances in shunt technology and surgical practices, shunt failure is a persistent challenge for neurosurgeons, and shunt revisions account for a substantial proportion of all shunt-related procedures. There are a wealth of studies elucidating failure patterns and patient demographics in pediatric cohorts; however, data in adults are less uniform. We sought to determine the rates of all-cause and shunt failure readmission in adults who underwent the insertion of a ventricular shunt. We queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2014 to evaluate new ventricular shunts placed in adults with hydrocephalus. We sought to determine the rates of all-cause and shunt revision-related readmissions and to characterize factors associated with readmissions. We analyzed predictors including patient demographics, hospital characteristics, shunt type, and hydrocephalus cause. Analysis included 24,492 initial admissions for shunt placement in patients with hydrocephalus. Of patients, 9.17% required a shunt revision within the first 6 months; half of all revisions occurred within the first 41 days. There were 4044 (16.50%) 30-day and 5758 (28.8%) 90-day all-cause readmissions. In multivariable analysis, patients with a ventriculopleural shunt, Medicare insurance, and younger age had increased likelihood for shunt revision. Notable predictors for all-cause readmission were insurance type, length of hospitalization, age, comorbidities, and hydrocephalus cause. Most shunt revisions occurred during the first 2 months. Readmissions occurred frequently. We identified patient factors that were associated with all-cause and shunt failure readmissions.

Progressive Functional Underdrainage in Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt-Dependent Women During Pregnancy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Since the 1950s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt dependency has no longer been a contradiction to normal life, including sexuality and pregnancy in women, because of advances in the understanding of hydrocephalus and shunt technology. Although pregnancy in shunt-dependent women is rare, it causes uncertainty among treating physicians. We report the case of a 34-year-old pregnant woman with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Throughout her pregnancy she experienced progressive symptoms of CSF underdrainage without any signs of other pregnancy-related complications. After the delivery of a healthy infant, shunt resistance had to be readjusted to prepregnancy levels. A comprehensive review of the literature reports in English, listed in PubMed, is provided. Conservative treatment of pregnancy-related functional underdrainage by consecutive valve pressure adjustment is possible, easy, and safe.

Role of radiological parameters in predicting overall shunt outcome after ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion in pediatric patients with obstructive hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVE Despite significant advances in the medical field and shunt technology, shunt malfunction remains a nightmare of pediatric neurosurgeons. In this setting, the ability to preoperatively predict the probability of shunt malfunction is quite compelling. The authors have compared the preoperative radiological findings in obstructive hydrocephalus and the subsequent clinical course of the patient to determine any association with overall shunt outcome. METHODS This retrospective study included all pediatric patients (age < 18 years) who had undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion for obstructive hydrocephalus. Linear measurements were taken from pre- and postoperative CT or MRI studies to calculate different indices and ratios including Evans' index, frontal horn index (FHI), occipital horn index (OHI), frontooccipital horn ratio (FOHR), and frontooccipital horn index ratio (FOIR). Other morphological features such as bi- or triventriculomegaly, right-left ventricular symmetry, and periventricular lucency (PVL) were also noted. The primary clinical outcomes that were reviewed included the need for shunt revision, time interval to first shunt revision, frequency of shunt revisions, and revision-free survival. RESULTS A total of 121 patients were eligible for the analysis. Nearly half of the patients (47.9%) required shunt revision. The presence of PVL was associated with lower revision rates than those in others (39.4% vs 58.2%, p = 0.03). None of the preoperative radiological indices or ratios showed any correlation with shunt revision. Nearly half of the patients with shunt revision required early revision (< 90 days of primary surgery). The reduction in the FOHR was high in patients who required early shunt revision (20.16% in patients with early shunt revision vs 6.4% in patients with late shunt revision, p = 0.009). Nearly half of the patients (48.3%) requiring shunt revision ultimately needed more than one revision procedure. Greater occipital horn dilation on preoperative images was associated with a lower frequency of shunt revision, as dictated by a high OHI and a low FOIR in patients with a single shunt revision as compared with those in patients who required multiple shunt revisions (p = 0.029 and 0.009, respectively). The mean follow-up was 49.9 months. Age was a significant factor affecting shunt revision-free survival. Patients younger than 6 months of age had significantly less revision-free survival than the patients older than 6 months (median survival of 10.1 vs 94.1 months, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative radiological linear indices and ratios do not predict the likelihood of subsequent shunt malfunction. However, patients who required early shunt revision tended to have greater reductions in ventricular volumes on postoperative images. Therefore a greater reduction in ventricular volume is not actually desirable, and a ventricular volume high enough to reduce intracranial pressure is instead to be aimed at for long-term shunt compliance.

Hydrocephalus and Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts: Modes of Failure and Opportunities for Improvement.

Between 0.5 and 4 of every 1000 children are born with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is an over-accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain, which can affect cognitive function, vision, appetite, and cranial nerve function. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can result in death. The current treatment for hydrocephalus uses ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts with valves to redirect CSF from the ventricles into the peritoneum. Shunt technology is limited by a number of complications, which include infection after implantation, shunt obstruction due to clot formation or catheter obstruction by scar tissue or choroid plexus, disconnection and tubing migration, and overdrainage or underdrainage of CSF due to valve malfunction. While modifications to surgical procedures and shunt design have been introduced, only modest improvements in outcomes have been observed. Here we provide an overview of hydrocephalus, VP shunts, and their modes of failure, and we identify numerous areas of opportunity for biomedical engineers and physicians to collaborate to improve the performance of VP shunts.

Şant Disfonksiyonuna Bağlı sekonder oksipital İnfarkt: Olgu Sunumu

Hydrocephalus is a clinical table characterized with the enlargement of ventricles due to progressive accumulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) and an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP). Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is currently the most effective and frequent method used in the treatment of hydrocephaly. Spite to the continuous development monitored in shunt technology, today approximately 70% of the patients with a shunt inserted may face with shunt dysfunction within a ten years period. The current case is a 3 years old patient who was hospitalized and treated due to a shunt dysfunction diagnosis where a secondary occipital infarct and blindness developed against the shunt dysfunction. Shunt-induced complications may develop in hydrocephalus patients. We have presented a rare complication accompanied with the related literature regarding loss of vision relative to shunt dysfunction.

Abstracts from Hydrocephalus 2015.

The 7th Annual Meeting of the International Society for hydrocephalus and Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders (ISHCSF) is being held in Banff, Alberta, Canada September 19th-21st, 2015. There are three satellite symposia accompanying the main Congress. On September 17th, the 1st Calgary Hydrocephalus Symposium will be hosted by the Cumming School of Medicine to provide an intimate opportunity to explore state-of-the-art hydrocephalus care. On September 18th, the satellite Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) Symposium will be held in Banff, providing an opportunity to share and learn from the experience of international experts regarding this challenging hydrocephalus disorder. We also welcome our colleagues and members of the International Hydrocephalus Imaging Working Group (IHIWG). IHIWG members include Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Neuroradiologists and Physicists who will have their autumn meeting on September 18th in Banff. Hydrocephalus 2015 will cover the full range of CSF disorders affecting both children and adults. The focus of work done in our field is the patient and to this end, the theme of three special sessions of this Congress will be “The Patient”. These special sessions will examine: 1) Quality Improvement and Safety in Hydrocephalus Care; 2) Transition and Adult Hydrocephalus Care; and 3) Ethics and Patient Involvement in Clinical Research. These sessions will provide a foundation for the research that will be presented during Hydrocephalus 2015 which will include sessions dealing with pediatric hydrocephalus, adult hydrocephalus, advanced Neuro-imaging techniques in hydrocephalus, CSF shunt design and technology and intracranial pressure. We will also have special sessions devoted to young investigators and will recognize those with the best oral presentations and best posters. We have a great social program to span the conference. We start with the Welcoming Reception on September 18th, party at a bar-be-que buffet barn dance on September 19th and then celebrate at the Denim and Diamonds Gala Dinner on September 20th. Our very special guest speaker for the Gala Dinner is Dr. Michael Bliss, renowned historian and author of “Harvey Cushing. A Life in Surgery”.