Overview: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)

·         What is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus ?

·         What are the symptoms ?

·          How is it diagnosed ?

·         Is there a cure for NPH ? 

What is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus ? 

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, also known as Adult Chronic Hydrocephalus is a complex condition in which there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities in the brain, known as the ventricles. This increase of CSF leads to a progressive dilatation of the ventricles, causing symptoms such as altered gait, neurological deficits, and incontinence. This disorder usually affects older people, often with no known cause, other times can occur after head trauma, stroke, hemorrhage or meningitis in the nervous system.

What are the symptoms ?  

The NPH may manifest itself by shifting the balance, with decreased walking speed and falls. Sometimes the onset of symptoms and the lack of balance is confused with labyrinthitis. Cognitive changes are presented by memory difficults, slowing thoughts resembling a depression and, finally, there may be urinary incontinence.

How is it diagnosed ? 

The Diagnosis is based on typical symptoms associated with dilatation of the ventricles, which can be seen on imaging studies, such as brain CT scan or MRI of the brain (see figure below). There is an examination known as TAP-test, namely the withdrawal of large volumes of cerebrospinal fluid. This examination is of great value in the investigation of normal pressure hydrocephalus. When the test is positive not only can confirm the diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, but also predict which patients will have successful valve placement surger

Ventricular dilation seen on magnetic resonance imaging