Disease in which there is an increase in the accumulation of brain and spinal cord's cerebrospinal fluid. It is known as normotensive because the increased fluid is not accompanied by an increase in intracranial pressure.
The cause of its onset is unknown but there is a higher tendency to occur in people with a history of cerebral aneurysm, meningitis or brain surgery.
The triad of symptoms consists of a diminished intellectual ability, difficulty walking and urinary incontinence.
It is diagnosed through a clinical questioning and a complete neurological examination. To confirm the diagnosis, the cerebrospinal fluid must be analysed and an imaging test (axial CT-scan or MRI) is performed.
The objective of the treatment is to drain the cerebrospinal fluid from the peritoneal cavity. An external ventricular drain leading to the abdominal peritoneum will be implanted.
- Neill R Graff-Radford. Normal pressure hydrocephalus. UpToDate. Mayo 2016
- Krauss JK. Normal pressure hydrocephalus: survey on contemporary diagnostic algorithms and therapeutic decision-making in clinical practice. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2004; 146:379.
- Tisell M. National and regional incidence of surgery for adult hydrocephalus in Sweden. Acta Neurol Scand 2005; 112:72.
- Klassen BT. Normal pressure hydrocephalus: how often does the diagnosis hold water? Neurology 2011; 77:1119.
- Vanneste JA. Diagnosis and management of normal-pressure hydrocephalus. J Neurol 2000; 247:5.
- Hebb AO. Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a systematic review of diagnosis and outcome. Neurosurgery 2001; 49:1166.
