CME: When to consider normal pressure hydrocephalus in the patient with gait disturbance
Publish date: February 15, 2008
Ronan Factora, MD , Mark Luciano, MD, PhD
Ronan Factora, MD , Mark Luciano, MD, PhD

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a chronic adult disorder of unknown cause. Characterized by gradual onset of gait impairment, cognitive dysfunction, and urinary, NPH is a relatively rare cause of these 3 common symptoms. Diagnosis is made based on suspicion of NPH symptoms, the additional finding of ventriculomegaly on imaging, and confirmatory testing with a trial of CSF drainage, which can predict improvement with CSF shunting. Treatment involves CSF diversion, usually through implantation of a shunt from the ventricles to the peritoneal cavity.

