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Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless liquid that bathes the brain and spinal cord, cushions the brain, and acts as a shock absorber for the central nervous system. It also circulates substances filtered from the blood, and removes waste products from the brain.
When the normal flow of CSF is disrupted, it can cause a variety of symptoms. These types of disorders require highly specialized expertise to diagnose and treat. Fortunately, UMass Memorial’s Adult Hydrocephalus program has a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists and other professionals with this advanced expertise.
Because of our experience in diagnosing and treating CSF flow disorders, we see a wide range of these conditions, including many forms of hydrocephalus (an abnormal buildup of CSF in the ventricles of the brain):
The UMass Memorial Adult Hydrocephalus Program provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment that is carefully tailored to the individual patient. Treatment of CSF flow disorders, particularly hydrocephalus, depends on the severity of the condition. Surgical treatment generally involves inserting a tube (shunt) into a ventricle to drain excess fluid and reduce pressure on the brain.
In addition to expert clinical care, our doctors and scientists are conducting groundbreaking National Institutes of Health-funded research aimed at understanding the causes of and developing new treatments for normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Click here to learn more about Neurosurgery services at Umass Memorial Medical Center.
To schedule an appointment or contribute to our research, please call 508-334-0605.