Shunting for Hydrocephalus: An Oral History

Abstract

Twelve neurosurgeons and an inventor-manufacturer, all veterans of the early days (1950s) of shunting for hydrocephalus, were interviewed and recorded on tape. Others were interviewed, but not recorded. Reminiscences that might illuminate the social context of this development in surgical practice were sought.

The Analysis of Syrian Refugee Patients Treated With the Diagnose of Hydrocephalus: The Study of 28 Cases

“…Here, the cortical thickness is regarded as one of the criteria in order to save cognitive functions of the patients 13 . The most used method in surgical treatment is the process to transfer CSF in ventricles to pleura, atrium or peritoneum with the help of a catheter 14,15 . Another surgical treatment alternative is the third ventriculostomy which is especially effective on aqueduct stenosis.…”

Periton Absorbsiyon Bozukluğu Olan Bir Hastada Ventriküloplevral Şant Operasyonu Sonrasında Gelişen Hidrotoraks

“…With the help of reservoir and catheter, the draining of CSF to the pleura (ventriculopleural shunt), to the atrium, and to the peritoneal cavity (ventriculoperitoneal shunt) are the most common methods [11][12][13] .However, shunt revision may be required as a result of shunt infection, overdrainage, underdrainage, or clogging. Peritoneal absorption disorder was determined in our patient who had undergone multiple ventriculoperitoneal shunt operations and revisions for various reasons.…”

Surgical Treatment of Hydrocephalus: A Historical Perspective

“…Matson provided these to the Harvard Transplant Service, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Murray, who had already begun the work for which Murray and E. Donnall Thomas received the 1990 Nobel Prize. When the transplant service was unable to use most of them, the kidneys were passed on to Dr. John Enders, who in turn used them for his Nobel Prize winning studies on developing a non-neuronal tissue culture system for poliovirus [35].…”

“…At the same time, the current state of medical practice and litigation may discourage the type of bold contribution made 40 years ago by John Holter in designing the first slit valve for his acutely ill child [48]. And the fact that manufacturers are reluctant to wait several years for the results of clinical trials may contribute to the lack of initiative on the part of industry [35]. Both of these processes would tend to inhibit the development of radical new treatments.…”