BRAIN UNDER PRESSURE WHY CEREBROSPINAL FLUID DESERVES STRATEGIC FOCUS IN HEALTHCARE

Knowing the significance, signs, developing solutions and integrating CSF awareness into standard care protocols can lead to a better patient experience and outcome, optimized resource allocation and leadership in a growing field of neurology.

- Dr. Roopesh Kumar, Director, Department of Neurosurgery at MGM Healthcare, Chennai

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) related disorders remain the most unrecognized and misdiagnosed neurological conditions in clinical practice today. The recent public awareness, most importantly through the diagnosis of the legendary musician Billy Joel or also known as the piano man. These disorders can go undetected or mistaken for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons or Alzheimer’s.

The misdiagnosis of these disorders presents a clinical challenge. It leads to dragged out patient suffering, avoidable healthcare costs and inappropriate treatments. CSF represents an untapped market segment in brain health innovation, of stakeholders across the healthcare value chain such as clinicians, hospital administrators, device manufacturers, insurers, diagnostic companies and investors. And hence, it is time to pay attention to Cerebrospinal Fluid. With greater awareness, healthcare can invest in screening tools and updated protocols for treatment. The industry has an opportunity to change CSF related disorders from being under the radar to being commonly acknowledged and treated.

Estimated annual costs of delayed CSF diagnosis can be significant. However very limited data to put a figure to it precisely. It can be around 15,000 USD per person on an average.

The CSF management market is estimated to be 2.5 Billion USD in 2024 and to grow to 3.8 Billion USD by 2021 (growth at CAGR-6.2%).

The CSF diagnostic market is 3300 Million USD in 2024, growing steadily at 5.3% year on year. The CSF Devices market in the US is estimated at 1.5 Billion USD in 2023.

Major players are (USA):

1. Medtronic

2. Integra

3. Natus medical

4. Sophysa

5. B Braun

Understanding CSF - More Than Brain Cushioning