Hydrocephalus Program
About us
Children's Hospital Boston's Hydrocephalus Program treats children with every form of hydrocephalus—the all-encompassing term used to describe any increase in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid within, or surrounding, the brain. Regardless of the particular circumstances of a child's hydrocephalus, safely and quickly diverting the excess fluid is essential. Here in our Hydrocephalus Program, our specialists:
- use a variety of sophisticated diagnostic procedures—including ultrasounds, Computed Tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and intracranial pressure monitoring—to make and confirm a diagnosis of hydrocephalus
- refer families of infants diagnosed with hydrocephalus in the womb to our Advanced Fetal Care Center for further evaluation and treatment recommendations
- work closely with other experts across Children's—including genetic counselors, imaging specialists and social workers—to meet all of your child's needs, including treatment for other related conditions like spinal cord tumors
- have many years' experience performing shunt placements and endoscopic third ventriculostomy procedures for safe, effective fluid drainage and diversion
Our Hydrocephalus Program clinicians are also engaged in important scientific research with great promise for better understanding, treatment and—one day—prevention of hydrocephalus and other neurological disorders. Some of our current research projects include:
- analyzing crucial periods in a child's brain development
- understanding the biological mechanisms of brain injury
- examining the role of molecular genetics in conditions like hydrocephalus
Children's researchers ask whether body's natural motion holds the key to deciphering hydrocephalus
While hydrocephalus has long been thought to stem from overproduction—and insufficient absorption—of cerebrospinal fluid, Children's neurosurgeon and Epilepsy Surgery Program director Joseph Madsen, MD, and his team of researchers are uncovering evidence to suggest that it's actually the pulsing motion of the fluid that might trigger the disease. Read more about their work.
