Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2009 , Vol 19 , Num 2
Idiopatic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Çağatay ÖZDÖL, Deniz BELEN
Ankara Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Beyin Cerrahi Kliniği, Ankara, Türkiye Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus is a syndrome that is characterized by gait impairment, cognitive decline and urinary incontinance with is associated with ventriculomegaly in the absence of elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus occurs whether by primary or secondary cause. Diagnosis often represents a challenge for physicans who deal with the disease. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is rare relative to other potential causes of these symptoms in the elderly. Timely diagnosis can lead to reversal of symptoms through ventricular shunting. There are many tests used to predict possible response to surgery, such as computerized tomography or magnetic resonance of the brain, formalized neuropsychological and gait testing, large-volume lumbar puncture, and prolonged lumbar drainage, but no one test has been validated to rule out potential response to surgery. Anahtar Kelimeler : Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, Shunt, Surgery