Dusting off the personal archives of Salomón Hakim: unveiling the mind behind normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Abstract

Dr. Salomón Hakim (1922-2011), a Colombian physician of Lebanese descent, is widely known for leading a paradigm shift in neurosurgery. In a landmark contribution to neurological medicine, he was the first to identify and characterize a previously unrecognized clinical entity now known as normal pressure hydrocephalus, or Hakim's syndrome, marking a pivotal moment in modern understanding of the disease. Dr. Salomón Hakim was inspired by his father and, since childhood, increasingly curious about physics and the natural sciences. This curiosity led him to develop abilities that would later contribute to valuable advances in medicine and neurosurgery. His interests through early life were conveyed in what he called the "world's largest lab: the human body." Through hard work, Dr. Hakim left a legacy and intellectual heritage that has saved and improved thousands of lives. The work herein aims to share unedited and previously unpublished personal and family archives provided by his son, Fernando Hakim, showcasing Dr. Hakim's valuable contribution to history from the first identified cases of normal pressure hydrocephalus to the creation of Hakim's valve, as well as its current impact.