Each year, about 70,000 patients are diagnosed with hydrocephalus, commonly known as “water on the brain.” It can be a congenital condition, that is, one can be born with it, but in adults hydrocephalus is usually the result of injury or trauma to the brain, such as with a concussion or direct impact, certain diseases like meningitis, conditions like a bleeding blood vessel, or a blockage that causes an increase in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that flows through your brain and spinal cord. When the flow of CSF is interrupted or the brain overproduces it due to inflammation, the excess fluid can cause difficulty with walking and memory.
If your doctor has diagnosed you as having hydrocephalus and prescribed a shunt be placed to divert the excess spinal fluid to your peritoneal cavity and help relieve pressure on the brain, you doubtless have questions about the procedure. In this article, we provide a brief overview of the treatment and what to expect.
The shunt allows increased fluid flow away from the brain, where it can be absorbed by the body.
In most cases, the shunt is permanent and will be monitored regularly by your doctor or ONC surgeon to ensure it doesn’t become blocked
or infected.
Of course the idea of having a device inserted into one’s brain can be a cause for concern for any patient. The caring, exceptionally experienced doctors and trained staff of ONC understand that you have questions and trepidations about this highly specialized procedure, and we are eager to address them with sensitivity and patience.
If you’d like to know more about shunt placement for hydrocephalus for yourself or someone you care about, please contact us. Our knowledgeable professionals are here to provide the information you need to help you feel more informed and
in control.
Call us – we are ready to help.
DANIEL P. ROBERTSON, MD
• In the practice of neurosurgery since 1994. Joined Ocala Neurosurgery Center in 2004
• Board Certified in Neurological Surgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons
• Bachelor of Engineering Degree from Duke University
• Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee
• Residency in neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas
• Member, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
• Fellow, the American College of Surgeons
• Certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners
• On staff at Munroe Regional Medical Center & Ocala Regional Medical Center
Dr. Robertson is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the Marion County Medical Society.
Dr. Daniel Robertson, his partner neurosurgeons, Dr. Mark Oliver and Dr. Antonio DiSclafani, and their talented support team are dedicated to providing unsurpassed diagnostic and therapeutic care for a range of neurological and spinal disorders. Our foremost mission is to help you return to a life of health, comfort and vitality.
Ocala Neurosurgical Center
OcalaNeurosurgicalCenter.com
352-622-3360
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