Fetal Neurosurgical Interventions for Spinal Malformations, Cerebral Malformations, and Hydrocephalus: Past, Present, and Future

Authors

Daniel A. Donoho, Division of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC; Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Arlington, VA; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Hasan R. Syed, Division of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC; Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Arlington, VA; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Electronic address: syedhr@gmail.com.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-1-2022

Journal

Seminars in pediatric neurology

Volume

42

DOI

10.1016/j.spen.2022.100964

Abstract

In this article we review the last 40 years of progress in fetal neurosurgery with special attention to current controversies and upcoming challenges in the field. We surveyed the published literature describing prenatal interventions for spinal malformations, cerebral malformations, and hydrocephalus. Even the most mature treatment paradigm, intrauterine repair of myelomeningocele, stands to benefit from advances in imaging and therapeutic modalities to improve patient selection, refine surgical techniques, validate novel biologic therapies, and streamline postoperative patient care. Other conditions under evaluation include congenital cerebral malformations, such as encephalocele, cerebrovascular malformations, and hydrocephalus. We describe cross-cutting needs for advances in fetal neuroimaging, basic disease models and new therapeutic devices to support further progress across various neurosurgical conditions affecting patients during the fetal period.

APA Citation

Donoho, Daniel A. and Syed, Hasan R., "Fetal Neurosurgical Interventions for Spinal Malformations, Cerebral Malformations, and Hydrocephalus: Past, Present, and Future" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1410.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1410

Department

Neurological Surgery