Salomón Hakim

Salomón Hakim

Salomón Hakim, Colombian neurosurgeon

Born	June 4, 1922
Birth place	Barranquilla, Colombia
Died	May 5, 2011
Place of death	Bogotá, Colombia
Nationality	Colombian
Known for	Discovery of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Salomón Hakim (June 4, 1922 – May 5, 2011) was a renowned Colombian neurosurgeon and researcher, best known for his discovery of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that can cause dementia, gait disturbance, and urinary incontinence in adults. His work has had a significant impact on the field of neurology and neurosurgery, providing a treatable cause of dementia.

Early Life and Education

Salomón Hakim was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, to a family of Lebanese descent. He pursued his medical education at the National University of Colombia, where he graduated with a degree in medicine. Hakim furthered his studies in neurosurgery in the United States, training at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Lahey Clinic.

Career and Research

Hakim returned to Colombia, where he began his practice in neurosurgery. In the 1950s, he observed a group of patients with symptoms of dementia, gait disturbance, and urinary incontinence, which were not explained by the existing medical knowledge at the time. Through his research, Hakim identified that these symptoms were due to an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain's ventricles, despite normal pressure readings. This led to the identification of a new condition, which he termed Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Hakim's work was initially met with skepticism, but over time, his findings were validated and accepted by the medical community. He developed a surgical treatment involving the implantation of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt to drain excess fluid, which significantly improved the symptoms in many patients.

Legacy

Salomón Hakim's discovery of NPH has provided a treatable cause of dementia, distinguishing it from other forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. His work has improved the quality of life for countless patients worldwide. Hakim's contributions to neurosurgery and neurology are celebrated, and he is remembered as a pioneer in his field.

Personal Life

Hakim was married and had several children, including Carlos Hakim, who followed in his father's footsteps and became a prominent figure in the field of neurology.

Also see

• Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
• Cerebrospinal fluid shunt
• Dementia
• Neurosurgery
• Alzheimer's disease