Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a disorder, which usually strikes middle age to older adults. In NPH, the ventricles are enlarged, but there is no increase of pressure within the ventricles. The problem is thought to be due to the CSF not being fully reabsorbed by the body (through the arachnoid villi). NPH can be a tricky condition to diagnose as it is often mistaken for the beginnings of dementia, Parkinson's, or Alzheimer's.
It is characterized by an abnormal gait (walk), urinary incontinence, and short-term memory problems.
What Are the Symptoms ?
The syndrome of normal pressure hydrocephalus is usually characterized by a triad of symptoms: complaints of gait disturbance (difficulty walking), mild dementia and impaired bladder control. These symptoms may not occur all at the same time, and sometimes only one or two symptoms are present .
What Treatment Is Available?
The most common and usually the only available treatment for NPH is the surgical implantation of a shunt, a device that channels CSF away from the brain to another part of the body where it can be absorbed. Most shunt systems consist of three components:
1) a collection catheter situated within the cerebral ventricles or the lumbar spinal canal.
2) a valve mechanism to control how much CSF flows and
3) an exit catheter to drain the CSF to another part of the body .
What Causes Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus ?
The majority of cases of NPH are idiopathic (meaning of unknown cause). NPH can also develop as the result of a headinjury, cranial surgery, subarachnoid hemorrhage, tumor or cysts, as well as subdural hematomas, bleeding during surgery, meningitis and other brain infections. All of these predisposing conditions can cause inflammation that affects the CSF pathways,impeding CSF flow.
Dr.Sanjay Mongia , Neurological Surgeon. Ph: 9821313033
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