sydney neurosurgeon professor brian owler
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Research and Publications

book publications

Johnston, I., Owler, B. K., Pickard, J. The Pseudotumor Syndrome: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Benign Intracranial Hypertension, Pseudotumor Cerebri and related conditions. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK. 2007.

book chapters published

Morris, JGL, Owler, B. K., Hely, M. A. and Fung, V. S. C. Hydrocephalus and structural lesion. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.

Pickard, J. D., Czosnyka, M., Higgins, N., Owler, B., Momjian, S., Pena, A. Clinical Aspects of Disorders of the Choroid Plexus and CSF Circulation. P 497-517. In: The Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier. Zheng, W and Chodobski, A. Taylor & Francis CRC Press 2005.

thesis published

Owler, B. K. Pathophysiology and Management of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. PhD Thesis, 2004.

Owler, B. K. Brainstem and spinal cord processing of visceral noxious information. Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney, 1993.
dr brian owler research and publications

  • Single Center Experience in Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics Testing. Czosnyka ZH, Czosnyka M, Smielewski P, Lalou AD, Nabbanja E, Garnett M, Barszcz S, Schmidt EA, Momjian S, Kasprowicz M, Petrella G, Owler B, Keong NC, Hutchinson PJ, Pickard JD.Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2021;131:311-313. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-59436-7_58.
  • Migration of distal ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter into an inguinal hernia sac in an adult patient: a case report and literature review. Trang J, McHarg D, Owler B.ANZ J Surg. 2021 Mar 12.
  • Hitting the brakes: pathological subthalamic nucleus activity in Parkinson's disease gait freezing. Georgiades MJ, Shine JM, Gilat M, McMaster J, Owler B, Mahant N, Lewis SJG. Brain. 2019 Dec 1;142(12):3906-3916
  • Connor MM, Hunt RW, Gardner J, Draper M, Maddocks I, Malowney T, Owler BK. Documenting the process of developing the Victorian voluntary assisted dying legislation. Aust Health Rev. 2018 Dec;42(6):621-626. doi: 10.1071/AH18172.
  • Zhang Z, Su WY, Owler BK. Disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus infection with spondylodiscitis of thoracic spine. J Surg Case Rep. 2018 Jun 20;2018(6):rjy141. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjy141. eCollection 2018 Jun.
  • Shaw R, Everingham E, Mahant N, Jacobson E, Owler B. Clinical outcomes in the surgical treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. J Clin Neurosci. 2016 Feb 27. pii: S0967-5868(15)00717-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2015.10.044.
  • Owler BK, Carmo KA, Bladwell W, Fa'asalele TA, Roxburgh J, Kendrick T, Berry A. Mobile pediatric neurosurgery: rapid response neurosurgery for remote or urgent pediatric patients.J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2015 Sep;16(3):340-5. Epub 2015 Jun 19.
  • Ahmed RM, Zmudzki F, Parker GD, Owler BK, Halmagyi GM. Transverse Sinus Stenting for Pseudotumor Cerebri: A Cost Comparison with CSF Shunting. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2013 Nov 28.
  • Trinh B, Ha AD, Mahant N, Kim SD, Owler B, Fung VS. Dramatic improvement of truncal tardive dystonia following globus pallidus pars interna deep brain stimulation. J Clin Neurosci. 2013 Jun 18. doi:pii: S0967-5868(13)00311-1.
  • Malm J, Graff-Radford NR, Ishikawa M, Kristensen B, Leinonen V, Mori E, Owler BK, Tullberg M, Williams MA, Relkin NR. Influence of comorbidities in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus - research and clinical care. A report of the ISHCSF task force on comorbidities in INPH. Fluids Barriers CNS. 2013 Jun 10;10(1):22. doi: 10.1186/2045-8118-10-22.
  • Pham AC, Fan C, Owler BK. Treating pediatric hydrocephalus in Australia: a 3-year hospital-based cost analysis and comparison with other studies. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2013 Apr;11(4):398-401. doi: 10.3171/2013.1.PEDS12233. Epub 2013 Feb 8.
  • Carlos Chung KH, Owler BK, Dexter M, Chaseling R.Paediatric germ cell tumours of the central nervous system: Results and experience from a tertiary-referral paediatric institution in Australia. J Clin Neurosci. 2013 Apr;20(4):514-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2012.04.017. Epub 2013 Jan 11.
  • Dwyer CM, Prelog K, Owler BK. The role of venous sinus outflow obstruction in pediatric idiopathic intracranial hypertension. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2013 Feb;11(2):144-9. doi: 10.3171/2012.10.PEDS1299. Epub 2012 Nov 23.
  • R.M. Ahmed, M. Wilkinson, G.D. Parker, M.J. Thurtell, J. Macdonald, P.J. McCluskey, R. Allan, V. Dunne, M. Hanlon, B.K. Owler, and G.M. Halmagyi. Transverse Sinus Stenting for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Review of 52 Patients and of Model Predictions. AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., Jul 28, 2011.
  • Wang D, Nykanen M, Yang N, Winlaw D, North K, Verkman AS, Owler BK. Altered cellular localization of aquaporin-1 in experimental hydrocephalus in mice and reduced ventriculomegaly in aquaporin-1 deficiency. Mol Cell Neurosci. 2011 Jan;46(1):318-24. Epub 2010 Oct 30.
  • Chung KHC, Charlton A, Arbuckle S, Chaseling R, Owler BK. Metachronous Multifocal Desmoid-Type Fibromatoses Along the Neuraxis with Adenomatous Polyposis Syndrome: Case Report. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2010 Oct;6(4):372-6.
  • Wang D, Owler BK. Expression of AQP1 and 4 in paediatric brain tumours. J Clin Neurosci. 2011 Jan;18(1):122-7. Epub 2010 Oct 20.
  • Owler BK, Pitham T, Wang D. Aquaporins: relevance to cerebrospinal fluid physiology and therapeutic potential in hydrocephalus. Cerebrospinal Fluid Res. 2010 Sep 22;7:15.
  • Czosnyka Z, Owler B, Keong N, Santarius T, Baledent O, Pickard JD, Czosnyka M. Impact of duration of symptoms on CSF dynamics in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. Acta Neurol Scand. 2010 Sep 16.
  • Murali R. Scheithauer BW. Chaseling RW. Owler BK. Ng T. Papillary tumour of the pineal region: cytological features and implications for intraoperative diagnosis. Pathology. 42(5):474-9, 2010
  • Silberstein P, Bittar RG, Boyle R, Cook R, Coyne T, O'Sullivan D, Pell M, Peppard R, Rodrigues J, Silburn P, Stell R, Watson P; Australian DBS Referral Guidelines Working Group. Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: Australian referral guidelines. J Clin Neurosci. 2009 Aug;16(8):1001-8. Review.
  • Owler BK. CSF shunt failure – an ongoing epidemic? (Editorial). Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 80(11), 2009
  • Pickard JD. Czosnyka Z. Czosnyka M. Owler B. Higgins JN. Coupling of sagittal sinus pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure in idiopathic intracranial hypertension--a preliminary report. Acta Neurochirurgica - Supplement. 102:283-5, 2008.
  • Czosnyka Z. Keong N. Kim DJ. Radolovich D. Smielewski P. Lavinio A. Schmidt EA. Momjian S. Owler B. Pickard JD. Czosnyka M. Pulse amplitude of intracranial pressure waveform in hydrocephalus. Acta Neurochirurgica - Supplement. 102:137-40, 2008.
  • Hansen MA, Cruz MJ, Owler BK. Endoscopic transnasal decompression for management of basilar invagination in osteogenesis imperfect. Journal of Neurosurgery Spine. 9(4):354-7, 2008 Oct.
  • Khong P, Pitham T, Owler BK. Isolated neurolymphomatosis of the cauda equina and filum terminale: case report.Spine. 33(21):E807-11, 2008 Oct 1
  • DeVito EE, Salmond CH, Owler BK, Sahakian BJ, Pickard JD. Caudate structural abnormalities in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. Acta Neurol Scand. 2007 Nov;116(5):328-32.
  • Czosnyka M, Czosnyka Z, Keong N, Lavinio A, Smielewski P, Momjian S, Schmidt EA, Petrella G, Owler B, Pickard JD. Pulse pressure waveform in hydrocephalus: what it is and what it isn't. Neurosurg Focus. 2007 Apr 15;22(4):E2.
  • Owler, B.K., Higgins, J. N. P., Pena, A., Carpenter, A., and Pickard, J.D. Diffusion tensor imaging of benign intracranial hypertension. Absence of cerebral oedema. British Journal of Neurosurgery 20(2): 79-81, 2006.
  • Warrier, S. Owler, B.K., Besser, M. Paraganglioma and paragangliomatosis: case report and review of the literature. ANZ Journal of Surgery 76(11):1033-1037, 2006.
  • Czosnyka Z, Czosnyka M, Owler B, Momjian S, Kasprowicz M, Schmidt EA, Smielewski P, Pickard JD. Clinical testing of CSF circulation in hydrocephalus. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2005;95:247-51.
  • Owler, B.K., Parker, G., Halmagyi, GM., Besser, M., Higgins, JNP., Pickard, JD. Venous factors in pseudotumor cerebri: a review. Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery, 30:107-174, 2005.
  • Owler, B.K., Besser, M. Extradural hematoma causing venous sinus obstruction and pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. Child’s Nervous System 21(3):262-4, 2005.
  • Owler, B. K., Makeham, J. M., Shingde, M. and Besser, M. Cerebellar Liponeurocytoma. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 12(3): 326-9, 2005
  • Owler, B. K., Halmagyi, G.M., Brennan, J., Besser, M. Syringomyelia with Chiari Malformations: 3 Unusual cases with implications for pathogenesis. Acta Neurochirurgica (Wien) 146(10):1137-43., 2004.
  • Owler, B.K., Warrier, S., Besser, M. Traumatic unilateral deep cerebral venous infarction. Journal of Clinical Neurosciencce 11(7): 767-70, 2004.
  • Owler, B.K., Parker, G., Halmagyi, GM., Dunne, VG., Grinnell, V., McDowell, D., Besser, M. Pseudotumor cerebri and venous sinus stenosis. Year Book of Neurology and Neurosurgery 2004.
  • Owler, B.K., Pena, A., Momjian, S., Harris, N., Czosnyka, Z., Czosnyka, M., Fryer, T., Smielewski, P., Donovan, T., and Pickard, J.D. Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow during CSF Pressure Manipulation in Patients with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 24(5):579-87, 2004.
  • Momjian, S., Owler, B.K., Czosnyka, Z., Czosnyka, Pena, A. and Pickard, J.D. Pattern of White Matter Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and Autoregulation in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Brain 127: 965-972, 2004.
  • Higgins, J.N.P., Gillard, G.H., Owler, B.K., Harkness, K., Pickard, J. D. MR venography in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: unappreciated and misunderstood. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 75: 621-625, 2004.
  • Higgins, J. N. P., Cousins, C., Owler, B. K., Sarkies, N., Pickard, J. D. Benign Intracranial Hypertension: 12 cases treated with venous sinus stenting. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 74(12): 1662-1666, 2004.
  • Owler, B.K., Pena, A., Harris, N., Czosnyka, Z., Czosnyka, M., Fryer, T., Smielewski, P., Donovan, T., Coles, J. and Pickard, J.D. Global & regional CBF in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 24(1): 17-23, 2004
  • Owler, B.K., Parker, G., Halmagyi, GM., Dunne, VG., Grinnell, V., McDowell, D., Besser, M. Pseudotumor cerebri and venous sinus stenosis: Journal of Neurosurgery 98(5):1045-1055, 2003.
  • Owler, B.K., Allan, R., Parker, G., Besser, M. Pseudotumor cerebri, CSF rhinorrhoea and role of venous sinus stenting in treatment. British Journal of Neurosurgery 17(1): 79-83, 2003.
  • Pena, A., Owle,r B.K,. Fryer, T.D., Minhas, P., Czosnyka, M., Crawford, P.J., Pickard, J.D. A case study of hemispatial neglect using finite element analysis and positron emission tomography. Journal of Neuroimaging. 12(4):360-7, 2002 Oct.
  • Higgins, J. N. P., Owler, B. K., Cousins, C., Pickard, J. D. (2002) Refractory Benign Intracranial Hypertension: a new diagnostic approach suggests a new treatment - venous sinus stenting. Lancet 359: 228-230.
  • Owler B. K. and Pickard J.D. (2001) Cerebral Blood Flow and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. A Review. Acta Neurologia Scandanavica 104: 325-342.
  • Owler, B. K., Jacobson, E. E. and Johnston, I. H. (2001) Low Pressure Hydrocephalus Syndrome. Report of 5 cases.. British Journal of Neurosurgery 15(4): 353-359.
  • Owler, B. K., Fong, K. Czosnyka, Z. (2001) Importance of ICP monitoring in CSF circulation disorders. British Journal of Neurosurgery 15(5): 439-440.
  • Owler, B. K., Jacobson, E. E. and Johnston, I. H. (2001) Lateral recess cysts in two cases of isolated fourth ventricle. Case report. Child’s Nervous System 17: 363-365
  • Owler, B. K., Kennedy, M. and Johnston, I. H. (2000) Recurrence of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia after Rhizotomy due to Vascular Compression. Short Report. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 69:834-835.
  • Clement, C.I., Keay, K.A., Owler, B.K. and Bandler, R. (1996) Common patterns of increased and decreased fos expression in midbrain and pons evoked by noxious deep somatic and noxious visceral manipulations in the rat [review]. J. Comp. Neurol. 366:495-515.
  • Keay, K.A., Clement, C., Owler, B. K., Depaulis, A. and Bandler, R. (1994) Convergence of deep somatic and visceral pain onto a discrete ventrolateral midbrain periaqueductal gray region. Neuroscience 61:272-732.
  • Owler, B. K. (1994) Sydney University – Towards 1997. Med J Australia 160(7): 394-395.
prof brian owler
Professor Brian Owler is a highly respected Australian trained and Sydney based neurosurgeon, caring for people with neurosurgical conditions affecting their spine or brain. 
© 2025 Prof Brian K Owler
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