TY - JOUR
T1 - Symptomatic congenital hydrocephalus in the elderly simulating normal pressure hydrocephalus
AU - Graff-Radford, Neill R.
AU - Godersky, John C.
PY - 1989/12
Y1 - 1989/12
N2 - In a series of 30 older patients shunted for symptomatic hydrocephalus, we found 3 with a head circumference at or greater than the 98th percentile. In 2, we demonstrated deterioration over 6 and 12 months by serial videotaping of gait and neuropsychological testing. In the 3rd, serial lumbar punctures over a 6-month period gave temporary improvement. In each, CTs showed ventriculomegaly without transependymal flow. One patient had an Arnold-Chiari type I abnormality identified by MRI. All had systemic hypertension. CSF pressure monitoring showed CSF pressure > 15 mm Hg 39% of the time in 1 patient, and 100% in another. All improved with ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Patients with probable compensated congenital hydrocephalus who functioned well throughout most of their lives may become symptomatic as they age but improve with shunt surgery. The head circumference should be measured in all older hydrocephalic patients.
AB - In a series of 30 older patients shunted for symptomatic hydrocephalus, we found 3 with a head circumference at or greater than the 98th percentile. In 2, we demonstrated deterioration over 6 and 12 months by serial videotaping of gait and neuropsychological testing. In the 3rd, serial lumbar punctures over a 6-month period gave temporary improvement. In each, CTs showed ventriculomegaly without transependymal flow. One patient had an Arnold-Chiari type I abnormality identified by MRI. All had systemic hypertension. CSF pressure monitoring showed CSF pressure > 15 mm Hg 39% of the time in 1 patient, and 100% in another. All improved with ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Patients with probable compensated congenital hydrocephalus who functioned well throughout most of their lives may become symptomatic as they age but improve with shunt surgery. The head circumference should be measured in all older hydrocephalic patients.
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U2 - 10.1212/wnl.39.12.1596
DO - 10.1212/wnl.39.12.1596
M3 - Article
C2 - 2586776
AN - SCOPUS:0024792768
SN - 0028-3878
VL - 39
SP - 1596
EP - 1622
JO - Neurology
JF - Neurology
IS - 12
ER -