It is seen in advanced ages, especially after the sixties. The patient's steps are getting smaller day by day, his balance is disturbed and he starts to fall frequently. Increasing forgetfulness is accompanied by urinary incontinence. All these symptoms may belong to Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. The most important symptoms are walking difficulties, urinary incontinence and dementia. In addition to diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, which cause forgetfulness or gait disturbance in old age, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is a common condition. In a study conducted in elderly people who live with assistance, the incidence was found to be 9-14%. The coexistence of these three symptoms strengthens the diagnosis of the disease.
How Does Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Develop?
There are fluid-filled cavities called “ventricular” in our brain. About half a liter of rock water-clear cerebrospinal fluid is produced in these spaces every day, and this fluid rises to the surface of the brain and is absorbed by the brain. Our brain repeats this process every day. In advanced ages, the absorption of cerebrospinal fluid deteriorates and the brain begins to shrink while the ventricles in the brain grow.
As a result, the patient's forgetfulness gradually increases. His strides get smaller, he has difficulty starting and turning, and he falls frequently. Urinary incontinence often accompanies these findings and the patient becomes unable to urinate.
How to Diagnose?
When the above-mentioned findings are detected, the "Minimental test" is called first to determine the patient's memory status. memory test. If the test results show a memory impairment of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, approximately 10-15 cc of cerebrospinal fluid is taken from the patient. For this purpose, a procedure called “lumbar puncture” is applied.
The patient's condition improves within hours by following the fluid intake. In particular, his gait improves markedly. If the patient's response to fluid intake is positive in this way, shunt surgery is performed to make the condition permanent.
How is the Treatment Performed?
It is a relatively easy operation among neurosurgery operations. A silicone tube is placed under the skin from the waist to the abdomen of the patient. Excess cerebrospinal fluid� It is absorbed by the fat layer in the abdomen. Postoperatively, patients usually stay in the hospital for one day.
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