Services

Hydrocephalus Clinic

The Adult Hydrocephalus Clinic was established by the University at Buffalo Department of Neurosurgery, under the direction of Walter Grand, MD and Jody Leonardo, MD. The Clinic treats patients who have been newly diagnosed with hydrocephalus as well as patients who previously had a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt as children or teenagers but did not receive proper follow up. Many of these adults now suffer from brain damage due to the long-term affects of the shunt not functioning. In some cases however, this brain damage can be reversed with appropriate care.

If you received a shunt years ago but did not receive follow-up, please call us. Early identification of a non-functioning or malfunctioning shunt is critical to stopping or reversing brain damage.

What is Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus (commonly called water on the brain), occurs when there is an abnormal build up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, which is usually caused by an obstruction that prevents the fluid from draining normally. As the fluid accumulates, it puts pressure on the delicate brain tissue, which can cause brain damage and-in some cases, if left untreated, death.