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Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
Alternate Names : Hydrocephalus - Adult, Hydrocephalus - Communicating, "water on the Brain", Hydrocephalus - Idiopathic
Definition
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a brain disorder caused by blockage of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, with enlargement of the ventricles within the brain and compression of the brain tissue. It may result in loss of any or all brain functions controlled by the area of the brain which is compressed.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) can be a reversible or treatable disorder. It is thought to account for about 5% of all dementias. The incidence is 1 out of 100,000 people. NPH can occur at any age. The onset of symptoms is often gradual.
NPH is a form of hydrocephalus ("water on the brain", too much brain fluid). It can occur without identifiable cause, or it may be caused by any condition where there is an obstruction to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CSF is produced in normal amounts in this condition, but it is prevented from being normally re-absorbed.
The ventricles of the brain enlarge to accommodate the increased volume of CSF so the pressure of CSF, when measured by lumbar puncture (spinal tap), remains normal. Brain tissue is damaged or destroyed because of compression by the fluid-filled ventricles. If there is an identifiable cause and the cause can be corrected, the symptoms may reverse or at least stop getting worse. If there is no identifiable cause, the disorder is often progressive.
Risk factors include disorders that may cause obstruction of the flow of CSF, such as head injury (closed), surgery on the brain (craniotomy), meningitis or similar infections, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding from a blood vessel or aneurysm in the brain).
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• Definition
• Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Symptoms & Signs
• Prevention
• Diagnosis & Tests
• Treatment
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Dementia
• Hydrocephalus
• Meningitis
• Stress Incontinence
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Tests & Exams
• Cranial CT Scan
• CSF Collection
• MRI of the Head
• RHISA Scan
Surgery & Procedures
• Brain Surgery
• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
Other Topics
• Bowel Incontinence
• Confusion
• Consciousness - Decreased
• Fatigue
• Head Injury
• Inability to Use Objects and Perform Tasks
• Incidence
• Speech Impairment (Adult)
• Symptomatic
• Walking/Gait Abnormalities
• Weakness
Review Date : 5/10/2002
Reviewed By : Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., MSc, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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