normal pressure hydrocephalus
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nor·mal pres·sure hy·dro·ceph·a·lus
a type of hydrocephalus developing usually in older people, due to failure of cerebrospinal fluid to be absorbed by the pacchionian granulations, and characterized clinically by progressive dementia, unsteady gait, urinary incontinence, and usually, a normal spinal fluid pressure.
Synonym(s): occult hydrocephalus
normal pressure hydrocephalus
Etymology: L, norma, rule, premere, to press; Gk, hydor, water, kephale, head
a condition in which there is dilation of the ventricles without an increase in intracranial pressure. Classic symptoms are gait disturbance, memory/cognitive problems, and urinary incontinence. Diagnosis is made by lumbar puncture to remove cerebrospinal fluid and by watching to see if any of the symptoms improve.
normal pressure hydrocephalus
A misnomer referring to a condition seen in older adults that consists of low-grade hydrocephalus and intermittently elevated intracranial pressure, usually nocturnal, causing Hakim’s triad of symptoms (gait apraxia, urinary incontinence, dementia).normal pressure hydrocephalus
Adult hydrocephalus, communicating hydrocephalus, idiopathic hydrocephalus Neurology A form of gradual onset progressive hydrocephalus, which accounts for ±5% of all dementias Etiology Idiopathic, obstruction to CSF flow; CSF is produced normally but not reabsorbed; the brain's ventricles enlarge to accommodate the ↑ volume of CSF; CSF pressure remains normal; it is accompanied by brain atrophy due to compression by the fluid-filled ventricles Risk factors Conditions causing obstruction of CSF–eg, closed head injury, neurosurgery with craniotomy, meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage. See Hydrocephalus.nor·mal pres·sure hy·dro·ceph·a·lus
(nōr'măl presh'ŭr hī'drō-sef'ă-lŭs)A type of hydrocephalus developing usually in older people, due to failure of cerebrospinal fluid to be absorbed by the pacchionian granulations, and characterized clinically by progressive dementia, unsteady gait, urinary incontinence, and usually, a normal spinal fluid pressure.