Short description:

Long description:

Often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a disease of the elderly that is on the rise as the population ages. Its similarities to Parkinson's disease, dementia and other chronic neurodegenerative conditions make diagnosis challenging, requiring clinicians to be alert to the signs and symptoms that differentiate it.

Here is the first comprehensive book on the topic, written by experts who have researched and taught courses on NPH for years. From clinical characteristics and pathophysiology to signs and symptoms, radiographic findings, diagnostic tests and state-of-the-art treatment techniques, it covers everything practitioners need to know about this multi-faceted condition.

Special Features:

• Describes the classic symptom triad of gait disturbance, urinary incontinence and dementia
• Covers the full sequence of the diagnostic work-up, including imaging studies, non-invasive tests, and invasive procedures such as lumbar infusion and cerebrospinal tap tests
• Explains the risks and benefits of surgical implantation of a ventricular-peritoneal (VP) shunt to relieve symptoms and restore function, including key criteria for evaluating "shunt responsiveness"
• Provides the first step-by-step account of operative shunt placement by Dr. Michael Fritsch, who has performed the procedure extensively at leading neurosurgical centers throughout the world

Including troubleshooting techniques following shunt surgery, long-term management of patients, prognosis for the condition and future initiatives, this all-inclusive reference makes a major contribution to the field. It is essential for neurosurgeons, neurologists, internists, residents, and other physicians who treat diseases of the elderly in everyday practice.

This is an excellent book that can be used as a starting point to gain a basic understanding regarding the assessment and management of the adult iNPH patient and would be recommended reading for anyone with an interest in this important topic. -- Neurosurgery-online.com

Table of Contents:

1 Introduction
2 Epidemiology of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
3 History
4 Clinical Characteristics and Differential Diagnosis
5 Pathophysiology
6 Noninvasive Diagnostic Work-up
7 Imaging
8 Invasive Diagnostic Work-up
9 Shunt and Valve Technology
10 Shunt and Valve Settings
11 Surgical Technique
12 Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
13 Scales and Score
14 Follow-up Management of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
15 Complications
16 Prognosis
17 Summary and Future Perspectives