Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)
Alternate Names : Hydrocephalus - idiopathic, Hydrocephalus - adult, Hydrocephalus - communicating, Extraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to improve symptoms. The treatment of choice is surgery to place a tube called a shunt that routes the excess CSF out of the brain ventricles. Treatment may vary depending on the symptoms and how much the therapy relieves them.
Prognosis (Expectations)
If there is a known cause and the cause can be corrected, the symptoms may be reversed or at least stopped from getting worse. Without treatment, symptoms often get worse and could lead to death.
Surgical treatment improves symptoms in about 50% of cases. People with minimal symptoms have the best outcome. Other people may have different degrees of disability.
Complications
- Complications of surgery (infection, bleeding)
- Dementia
- Injury from falls
- Shortened life span
- Side effects of medications
- Temporary or permanent loss of brain functions
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus. Call your health care provider if a person with NPH worsens to the point where you are unable to care for the person yourself. Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if a sudden change in mental status occurs. This may mean that another disorder has developed.
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