Turkish Neurosurgery 2022 , Vol 32 , Num 6
Two Different Approaches Regarding Hydrocephalus Treatment in the Islamic World During the Middle Ages
Ahmet ACIDUMAN1,Ozgur KUS2,Deniz BELEN3
1Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of History of Medicine and Ethics, Ankara, Turkey
2University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Department of Eye Bank, Ankara, Turkey
3University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.37323-21.2 AIM: To present the sections allocated to hydrocephalus in the works of Ibn Hubal al-Baghd?d? and Ibn al-Quff, to include them and determine their position in the history of medicine by discussing relevant literature.

MATERIAL and METHODS: A printed copy and a manuscript in İstanbul Süleymaniye Manuscript Library, Fatih Collection, nr. 3632 of Ibn Hubal's Kitāb al-Mukhtārāt fī al-Tibb, and a facsimile of a printed copy and a manuscript in Istanbul University Rare Works Library, Arabic Manuscripts, A 4749 of Ibn al-Quff's Kitāb al-Umda fī Şinā'a al-Jirāha, were used. The chapters on hydrocephalus in both works have been translated to English and obtained knowledge was determined based on relevant literature.

RESULTS: Hydrocephalus was discussed under the title "On swellings and water occurring outside the skull and on the 'uāsh of the child and on water collection in the skull" in the third volume of Ibn Hubal's work and "The sixth chapter on the treatment of water which collects in the heads of children" in the 19th article of Ibn al-Quff's work. Ibn Hubal's and Ibn al-Quff's knowledge and approach to hydrocephalus match the knowledge and approaches of their predecessors. Compared with Ibn Hubal, Ibn al-Quff provided more systematic and detailed information on hydrocephalus.

CONCLUSION: Like other writers of the Islamic world in the medieval times, Ibn Hubal and Ibn al-Quff accept definitions and classifications of hydrocephalus by Greco-Roman writers. Keywords : Hydrocephalus, Ibn Hubal al-Baghd?d?, Ibn al-Quff, History of medicine

Corresponding author : Ahmet ACIDUMAN, aciduman@medicine.ankara.edu.tr; ahmetaciduman@yahoo.com