Clinical impact of the intrathecal infusion test to distinguish between Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) and Dementia

Introduction: NPH was first described by Hakim in 1964. Although it is still an often unrecognised disease. Especially difficult is to distinguish between dementia and NPH. Methods: From 2003 to 2005 we examined 16 patients suspected for NPH. Two of three cardinal clinical symptoms had to be present. Charactaristic features on CT/MRI were communicating hydrocephalus, periventricular low densities and rounding of the frontal horns. All patients were admitted to administer an intrathecal infusion test. Criteria for NPH was an increased resistance to outflow (Rout) and a recovery after CSF tap test. According to Ta…