Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a medical condition that involves the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain's ventricles, leading to an increase in intracranial pressure. It is characterized by a triad of symptoms, including gait disturbances, cognitive impairments, and urinary incontinence.
NPH mainly affects older adults, typically those over the age of 60, although it can occur at any age. Despite its name, the intracranial pressure in NPH is often within the normal range, rather than elevated. The exact cause of NPH is unknown, but it can be secondary to a variety of underlying conditions, such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, or head trauma. In some cases, NPH may develop without an identifiable cause.
The symptoms of NPH usually progress gradually, with individuals experiencing difficulties in walking, including shuffling or unsteady gait, as well as problems with balance and coordination. Cognitive impairment may present as memory loss, decreased attention span, and difficulty with problem-solving or multitasking. Urinary incontinence often manifests as increased frequency or urgency to urinate, as well as difficulty in controlling urine flow.
Diagnosing NPH involves a combination of clinical evaluation, including neurological examinations and imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. Treatment for NPH typically involves surgical intervention, where a shunt system is implanted to drain excess CSF from the brain, thus relieving symptoms and restoring normal balance.
It is worth noting that the prognosis of NPH can vary among individuals. Some patients may experience significant improvement in their symptoms following shunt surgery, while others may have limited or minimal improvement. Nonetheless
