The Inaugural MHFP Symposium

Important Problems Waiting for a Solution

Synopsis

The Inaugural Margaret Hackett Family Program (MHFP) Symposium introduced a variety of central nervous system congenital anomalies and the challenges of their treatments. Specific congenital syndromes and their burdens were discussed in detail to describe treatment approaches. In addition, models of care as well as future approaches were investigated.

At the conclusion of the event, participants had learned to:

  • Understand the unique problems of treating CNS congenital anomalies.
  • Understand the approaches to several CNS congenital anomalies that are well treated.
  • Be aware of the currently untreatable CNS congenital anomalies that still mostly defy successful treatments.

Participants

This webinar event was designed for neurosurgeons, neurologists, pediatricians, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals dedicated to the treatment of central nervous system congenital anomalies.

Speakers

"Cognitive and Psychiatric Aspects of Chiari Malformation Type I"

"Cognitive and Psychiatric Aspects of Chiari Malformation Type I"

Corey Bolton, MA

As a research extern at the Lacy Lab at the University of Chicago, Corey Bolton presented an overview of the University of Chicago Chiari Cognition Study. It was concluded in the study that most children with Chiari Malformation I (CM1) displayed average intellect and general cognitive abilities. Predictors of impairment may reflect CNS malformations or underdevelopment. Decompression surgery also showed no evidence of negative impact on memory. The study provides the need for better understanding of psychiatric illness in CM1 and integration of cognitive data with physical symptoms, functional living, and CNS imaging and CSF dynamics.

"Dynamic Cervicomedullary Compression and Hydrocephalus in Achondroplasia"

"Dynamic Cervicomedullary Compression and Hydrocephalus in Achondroplasia"

Moise Danielpour, MD

Dr. Moise Danielpour is the Vera and Paul Guerin Family Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery and Director of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. In this presentation, he discussed dynamic cervicomedullary compression and hydrocephalus in patients with achondroplasia. Dr. Danielpour engadged the audience with his great expertise in treating hydrocephalus in patients with anchondroplasia, and gave great insight to attendees who may not have as much exposure to the treatment and care of achondroplastic patients.

 

"Transitional Care in Spina Bifida"

"Transitional Care in Spina Bifida"

Sarah Jernigan, MD, MPH

Dr. Jernigan discussed the role of coordinated clinics for transitional care of adult patients and the overall importance of transitional care. The audience was informed of the barriers to developing transitional care programs and about way they could provide more effective transitions. Spina Bifida is the most common neural tube defect, and its health impact in adult patients include psycho-social issues (e.g. depression) that affect quality of life and health outcomes. By developing coordinated adult practitioners and having consistent referrals by pediatricians, we are able to provide more effective transition of care into adulthood.

"Basic CSF physiology"

"Basic CSF physiology"

Andreas A. Linninger, PhD

Andreas Linninger, Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago, provided the audience with an overview of transport mechanisms in the central nervous system (CNS), cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) production and drainage, and the classical CSF pathway. Dr. Linninger provided various images and global models to predict CSF flow patterns. By using imaging and various models, he concludes that CSF production and reabsorption may have a capillary component that is linked with local perivascular transport.

"Missteps in Neurodevelopment"

"Missteps in Neurodevelopment"

Carina Yang, MD

As the Director of Pediatric Neuroradiology and Assistant Professor of Radiology, Dr. Carina Yang presented three forms of holoprosencephaly and discussed differences between Dandy Walker malformation versus variant. The three main forms of holoprosencephaly are alobar, semilobar and lobar. She described each in detail with imaging to support visual understanding. Similarly, Dandy Walker Malformation was presented with a variety of imaging to enhance learning, and the advantage of fetal MRIs were made apparent by Dr. Yang. Dr. Yang concludes that information obtained from MRI can better enable patient counseling and decision-making regarding pregnancy and in planning fetal surgery.