University of Calgary

Adult Hydrocephalus Program

Overview

In 2001, the University of Calgary Adult Hydrocephalus Clinic was established with the goal to standardize and enhance the care for patients with hydrocephalus. The population of adult patients with hydrocephalus is increasing as diagnostic and therapeutic techniques improve identification and survival of treated patients. Hydrocephalus patients have typically been assessed and cared for by individual physicians in an unstructured and unfocused clinic environment. In 2008 there are 350 patients followed in the Adult Hydrocephalus Clinic. This population includes patients who initially had a diagnosis of hydrocephalus as a child, adults with acute and subacute hydrocephalus, patients with long-standing overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA), and patients with idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH). An audit of all adult patients who have undergone treatment of their hydrocephalus over the last 14 years has been started.

The University of Calgary Adult Hydrocephalus Program has emerged as a response to the success of the Adult Hydrocephalus clinic. The effort to focus the care of adult patients with hydrocephalus in a specialty clinic represented an important development to help foster a better understanding of the natural history of patients with untreated hydrocephalus, to standardize the investigative strategies for patients with a potential diagnosis of hydrocephalus and to manage the issues related to problems with treatment of hydrocephalus using shunts.  Clinical research is progressing along these avenues. A Canadian Adult Hydrocephalus Study Group is being established to help advance these objectives nationally.

Members

Neurosurgeons:Dr. Mark G Hamilton, Dr Clare Gallagher, Dr. Walter Hader
Medical Neurologist and Geriatrician: Dr. David Hogan, Dr. David Patry
Neuropsychology: Michael King, Ph.D.
Nurse Practitioner: Ron Prince (Inpatient)

Research Interests

 

  • Neuroendoscopy treatment and outcome for hydrocephalus
  • Neuropsychological effects of endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus
  • Infections in ventricular catheters and shunts
  • Treatment of idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH)
  • Transition care for pediatric patients with hydrocephalus
  • Endoscopic management of patients with brain tumors

Grant Support

  • Codman Corporation
  • Medtronic Corporation

Updated: 2009-04-30