Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

A clear liquid called cerebrospinal fluid (also abbreviated to CSF) cushions your brain and protects it from injury. Sometimes, bleeding in the brain or infection can trigger a buildup in CSF that puts pressure on your brain and can lead to serious health issues.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus can be hard to identify because it isn’t as common as other neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. Because normal pressure hydrocephalus shares many neurological symptoms with conditions often associated with aging, it can be mistaken for natural aging.

Symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus can include:

• Confusion
• Difficulty walking
• Inability to focus
• Short-term memory loss
• Urinary incontinence

Most times, your family physician will perform a medical history evaluation and a physical exam to see how you walk. If further testing is needed, you may be referred to a specialist for screenings, such as:

• Imaging tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), help doctors examine your skull and translate radiographic images to a computer screen that can reveal brain damage
• Neuropsychological testing allows your physician to observe your problem-solving skills

For most treatments, your physician will extract some of the built-up cerebrospinal fluid liquid.

Some procedures to do this include:

External lumbar drainage

In this procedure, your physician will remove some of your excess cerebrospinal fluid through a hollow tube called a catheter placed into your spine. If needed, your surgeon may insert a long, thin, hollow tube called a shunt into your body to redirect cerebrospinal fluid from your brain toward your abdomen, where it can flow as a natural part of your circulatory process. Shunts usually remain implanted and provide everyday relief.

Spinal Tap

This method allows your physician to extract some of your excess cerebrospinal fluid through a needle that your physician enters into the affected region.