Normal pressure hydrocephalus

• Normal pressure hydrocephalus:

  • Occurs due to an abnormal build up of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles - increased pressure
  • More common in the elderly
  • Other risk factors - head trauma, infection or inflammation of the brain, tumour and subarachnoid haemorrhage
• Clinical features:

  • Progressively worsening memory lapses
  • Personality and mood disturbances
  • Difficulties with walking - wide based gait, difficulty lifting feet off floor (magnetic gait)
  • Urinary incontinence
• Management:

  • Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is used to drain excess CSF into the abdomen, relieving pressure on the brain