Historical Trend of Hydrocephalus Research at International Neuroscience Institute [INI, Hannover, Germany] and Report on 12 years’ Activities of Worldwide Help on Children with Hydrocephalus [WHOCH] Project

Hydrocephalus research at INI, both in basic scientific and clinical research has been continuously and expansively performed nearly in last quarter of a century including the basic laboratory research at Nordstadt hospital in early 1990s. First, an experimental model of kaolin-induced cat/mouse was used to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation and to create the clinically compatible animal models, such as with “Hydromyelic Hydrocephalus,” “Experimental Syringomyelia Model,” and other specific aspects of CSF circulation developing in the immature brain. Consequently, these works reached to one epoch-making hypothesis, “Evolution Theory of CSF dynamics” and “Minor CSF Pathway Hydrocephalus.” In 2004, a new model of neuroendoscope with a new neuroendoscopic surgical concept was completed with collaboration of Karl Storz in Germany, first called “Oi-Samii Handy Pro.” With this invention, the free-hand maneuvering surgical technique of the minimized world finest rigid-rod neuroendoscope with three working channels became a standard technique in neuroendoscopic surgery worldwide. At the basement research laboratory of INI, the intensive research works for the image-guided neuroendoscopy (image-guided neuroendoscopic surgery) was promoted by the clinical and research fellows supported by the “Samii-Oi Fellowship” both in Tokyo Jikei University Women’s & Childrens’ Medical Center (JWCMC). There were totally 13 fellows over 10 countries. There have been several dozens of research papers have been published in the major scientific journals by these fellows. Based on our hydrocephalus research at INI and the development of a new model of neuroendoscope, a clinico-social global project, namely “Worldwide Help on Children with Hydrocephalus [WHOCH]” was started and expanded worldwide in past 12 years. The international seminar and hands-on course for treatment of hydrocephalus with or without “Live Surgery” education were held among over 16 countries and 51 times. There were over 30 severe hydrocephalic children with various forms of hydrocephalus were treated in this series worldwide. This presentation will summarize the outcome of these activities and discuss the future subjects in hydrocephalus research in the international level.