normal pressure hydrocephalus


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

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.