New, Less Invasive Brain Treatment Tested at Jefferson Health

Philadelphia, PA – Jefferson Health is pioneering a new, less invasive treatment for a brain disorder, offering a potential alternative to brain surgery for conditions often mistaken for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) Patients Benefit from Innovative Shunt

The procedure, an endovascular cerebrospinal fluid shunt (E-shunt), involves threading a tiny ‘drain’ through the brain via a catheter inserted through the groin. This method avoids incisions, pain, and the significant risks associated with traditional brain surgery, including hemorrhage, stroke, and infection.

John Sackett, the first patient to undergo the treatment as part of a clinical trial in South Jersey, initially sought answers after his wife noticed memory problems and difficulty with walking. He was diagnosed with NPH, a condition characterized by fluid buildup in the brain with an unknown cause. Doctors emphasized the importance of accurate diagnosis, as the traditional treatment involves invasive surgery.

“It’s better for a patient because it’s less invasive,” explained Dr. Pascal Jabbour, chair of neurological surgery at Jefferson Health. “You’re not going through the brain, less risk of a brain hemorrhage or a stroke, less risk of infection and the patients would recover right away the next day.” Sackett reported the procedure was quick and painless, and his wife has observed improvements in his walk and memory.

“I expected him to, like, cut the top of your head off, pull it all apart, and velcro everything back together,” Sackett said, expressing his relief at the minimally invasive approach.