脑脊液降钙素原及乳酸脱氢酶动态测定在小儿化脓性脑膜炎中诊疗的应用

目的研究化脓性脑膜炎患儿的脑脊液中降钙素原及乳酸脱氢酶浓度的动态变化。方法选取化脓性脑膜炎患者作为观察组,健康者为对照组,每组患者各20例,脑脊液乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）检测使用强生VITROS 350全自动干化学生化分析仪进行。降钙素原（PCT）检测使用梅里埃Mini VIDAS全自动免疫分析仪进行检测。结果与对照组患儿进行比较,观察组脑脊液降钙素原及乳酸脱氢酶水平均显著升高（t=2.869,P=0.007;t=2.284,P=0.018）。经有效治疗72 h后,患儿脑脊液降钙素原及乳酸脱氢酶水平显著下降。化脓性脑膜炎患儿PCT与LDH水平呈正相关关系（r=0.453,P=0.0455）。结论脑脊液中降钙素原及乳酸脱氢酶的浓度联合检测有助于化脓性脑膜炎的诊断,也助于病情的动态观察及疗效评估。     

血清降钙素原在重症病人感染早期诊断中的意义

目的:评价半定量测定血清降钙素原(PCT)对重症病人感染的早期诊断及其与疾病严重程度的相关性.方法:取121例体温>380C、符合全身炎症反应综合征临床表现并疑似感染的ICU重症病人人选,测定其血清PCT、C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞计数及分类,同时记录APACHEⅡ评分及全身性感染相关器官衰竭评分(SOFA).用半定量免疫色谱法测定血清PCT,散射免疫比浊法测定血清CRP.结果:121例入选病人按临床表现和细菌学检测结果分为感染组和非感染组.感染组的APACHEⅡ和SOFA评分明显高于非感染组(P<0.05).两组的血清PCT分布有显著性差异(x2=46.736,P=0.000),参照受试者工作特征曲线,以血清PCT≥2 ng/mL为阳性标准诊断感染的敏感度(80.65%)、特异性(77.78%)、阴性预测值(92.11%)及准确度(78.51%)均高于以CRP和WBC为诊断标准者.血清PeT与APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分呈明显正相关关系(P<0.01).结论:与CRP、WBC等传统炎症指标相比,血清PeT在重症病人严重感染的早期诊断中有一定诊断价值;且动态监测PCT水平有助于评估治疗效果.PCT与严重感染的脏器功能障碍程度及疾病的严重程度相关,是评估感染严重程度的较好参数.     

脑脊液置换治疗颅脑手术后严重颅内感染的护理

对１５例颅脑术后严重颅内感染患者行脑室、脑室－蛛网膜下腔、蛛网膜下腔脑脊液置换治疗。置换过程中通过密切观察病情变化，严格无菌操作，保持引流通畅，正确控制滴速，保持引流量与注入量相等的措施，无并发症，均痊愈出应注意每日留取脑脊液标本行生化检查，及发现神经系统内环境系乱和电解质失衡。     

血浆降钙素原的测定在烧伤脓毒症早期诊断中的意义

2001—2003年笔者单位收治严重烧伤患者 32例,其中男 25例、女 7例。年龄 1 ~ 61岁,烧伤总面积为 ( 52±25)%,Ⅲ度(29±21)%TBSA.其中 11例出现脓毒症,男 10例,女 1例,年龄 1~50岁,烧伤面积(54±27)%,Ⅲ度 (31±23)%TBSA.伤后 1—3d,每日抽取患者静脉血检测血浆降钙素原 (P     

血沉及降钙素原在髋关节置换术后早期感染中的价值

目的：探讨血沉与血清降钙素原在髋关节置换术后早期感染中的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析我院近年来15例髋关节置换术后早期感染的患者（感染组）及无感染的17例患者（对照组）的临床资料,分析患者术前及术后血沉及血清降钙素原的检测情况。结果感染组与对照组术前血沉无明显差异,术后感染组与对照组血沉均加快,但感染组血沉明显快于对照组,两者差异有统计学意义（P ＜0．05）;感染组与对照组术前血清降钙素原水平相近,对照组术后水平较术前未升高,而感染组术后血清降钙素原明显升高,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（P ＜0．05）。结论血沉及血清降钙素原为髋关节置换术后早期感染的敏感性及特异性均较高检测指标,对髋关节术后感染的早期诊断极有帮助,可作为髋关节术后有无感染的常用指标。     

动态检测降钙素原对食管癌微创术后感染的早期诊断价值

【摘要】 目的 评价动态检测降钙素原对食管癌微创术后感染的早期诊断价值。方法〓选择我院胸外科2015年6月至2016年6月食管癌微创手术患者68例为观察对象(观察组),同期健康体检患者30例为健康组;分别检测实验组术后第1、2、3、5天的静脉血PCT值,其中10例发生感染,归为感染组,余58例为未感染组。比较感染组、未感染组及健康组三组的PCT值。结果〓术后第1天感染组、未感染组PCT较健康组升高(P<0.05),感染组和未感染组无统计学差异;术后第2天感染组较未感染组PCT升高(P<0.05),术后第3天及第5天感染组较未感染组PCT有显著升高(P<0.01),术后前两天未感染组较健康组升高有显著统计学差异(P<0.05),第3及第5天无明显统计学差异。结论〓动态检测降钙素原对食管癌微创术后合并感染有早期诊断价值,术后第2天PCT≥2.06 μg/mL时警示有可能合并细菌感染,可尽早开始针对性地抗感染治疗。     

SICU严重脓毒症患者血降钙素原和乳酸清除率的临床分析

【摘要】〓目的〓探讨血清降钙素原(PCT)及乳酸清除在SICU严重脓毒症患者中的临床价值。方法〓研究对象来源于我院SICU从2013年6月至2015年5月收治的78例严重脓毒症患者。临床数据包括血清降钙素原、APACHE Ⅱ评分、6 h动脉血乳酸清除率及患者预后等相关资料。根据临床结局及动脉血乳酸水平,所有患者分为存活组(n=54)和死亡组(n=24);高乳酸清除率组(n=51)和低乳酸清除率组(n=27)。结果〓各组年龄、性别、APACHE Ⅱ评分和基础血乳酸值差异无显著性意义。死亡组患者的血清PCT水平明显高于存活组(P<0.05),死亡组6 h乳酸清除率较存活组明显低(P<0.05)。无论死亡组和存活组,PCT水平与患者乳酸清除率均无相关关系(r2=0.189, P>0.05;r2=0.133, P>0.05)。结论〓严重脓毒症患者血清降钙素原水平升高及乳酸清除能力降低,二者水平变化间没有相关性。     

肝移植术后血清降钙素原监测的临床意义

目的 探讨血清降钙紊原(PCT)浓度在肝移植术后的变化规律以及对细菌感染、病毒感染和排斥反应的诊断与鉴别诊断意义.方法 采用荧光免疫夹心法检测25例肝移植术后病人的血清PCT浓度,并根据术后并发症种类分为无并发症组、病毒感染组、急性排斥反应组和细菌感染组.结果 肝移植术后各组第1～3天的平均PCT浓度分别为(24.50±4.6)ng/ml、(21.40±3.3)ng/ml、(12.25±3.1)ng/ml,呈逐渐下降趋势;肝移植术后无并发症组、病毒感染组和急性排斥反应组的平均PCT浓度在7～10 d后下降至近于正常,并维持在(0.51±0.11)ng/ml;而且病毒感染组和急性排斥反应组,在发热初期以至诊疗结束平均PCT浓度分别为(0.44±0.16)ng/ml、(0.53±0.14)ng/ml,未见升高;而细菌感染组的PCT浓度为(15.70±5.1)ng/ml,在发热初期即明显高于前3组(P<0.05);在无并发症组、病毒感染组、急性排斥反应组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 肝移植术后第1～3天,血清PCT呈现高值,随后逐渐下降,7～10 d后降至近于正常;血清PCT在病毒感染和排斥反应期间不升高,而在细菌感染时显著升高,因此血清PCT监测有助于肝移植术后细菌感染与排斥反应或病毒感染的鉴别诊断.     

肝移植术后血清降钙素原监测的临床意义

Objective To investigate the changes of procalcitonin (PCT) in patients after liver transplantation and explore their significance for diagnosis and differential diagnosis among bacterial infection, viral infection and acute rejection.Methods PCT was measured in serum of 25 liver trans-plant patients by immunofluorescence sandwich method and the patients were divided into the non-complication group, viral infection group, acute rejection group and bacterial infection group.Results The concentrations of PCT in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after transplantation were(24.50 ± 4.6)ng/ml, (21.40± 3.3)ng/ml and (12.25 ± 3.1)ng/ml, respectively and they presented a decreasing tendency.The concentrations of PCT in non-complication group, viral infection group and acute rejection group decreased gradually and were near the normal level of (0.51±0.11) ng/ml after 7～10 days.Moreo-ver, the concentrations of PCT in viral infection group and acute rejection group were (0.44 ± 0.16)ng/ml and(0.53±0.14)ng/ml when the patients were in fever.The concentration of PCT in the viral infection group were(15.70±5.1)ng/ml, which was significantly higher than that in other 3 groups (P<0.05) in the early days of fever.The statistical differences among the other three groups were not significant (P>0.05).Conclusion The concentration of PCT in serum is high in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day then decreased gradually soon.The concentration of PCT is not high in viral infection or acute rejection while significantly high in bacterial infection, so it can be used to differentiate the bacterial infection from acute rejection and virus infection after liver transplantation.     

肝移植术后血清降钙素原监测的临床意义

Objective To investigate the changes of procalcitonin (PCT) in patients after liver transplantation and explore their significance for diagnosis and differential diagnosis among bacterial infection, viral infection and acute rejection.Methods PCT was measured in serum of 25 liver trans-plant patients by immunofluorescence sandwich method and the patients were divided into the non-complication group, viral infection group, acute rejection group and bacterial infection group.Results The concentrations of PCT in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after transplantation were(24.50 ± 4.6)ng/ml, (21.40± 3.3)ng/ml and (12.25 ± 3.1)ng/ml, respectively and they presented a decreasing tendency.The concentrations of PCT in non-complication group, viral infection group and acute rejection group decreased gradually and were near the normal level of (0.51±0.11) ng/ml after 7～10 days.Moreo-ver, the concentrations of PCT in viral infection group and acute rejection group were (0.44 ± 0.16)ng/ml and(0.53±0.14)ng/ml when the patients were in fever.The concentration of PCT in the viral infection group were(15.70±5.1)ng/ml, which was significantly higher than that in other 3 groups (P<0.05) in the early days of fever.The statistical differences among the other three groups were not significant (P>0.05).Conclusion The concentration of PCT in serum is high in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day then decreased gradually soon.The concentration of PCT is not high in viral infection or acute rejection while significantly high in bacterial infection, so it can be used to differentiate the bacterial infection from acute rejection and virus infection after liver transplantation.     

血清降钙素原检测对于肾移植术后肺部感染的诊断价值

目的：与内毒素和C反应蛋白（ CRP）检测结果进行比较,探讨血清降钙素原（ PCT）检测在肾移植术后肺部感染诊断中的临床意义及其应用价值。方法回顾性分析2010年2月至2013年9月武汉大学移植医学中心98例肾移植术后并发肺部感染的受者临床资料。根据肺部感染的病原体诊断标准将受者分为细菌组（48例）和非细菌组（50例）,比较PCT、内毒素和CRP检测3种方法诊断肾移植术后细菌性肺部感染的灵敏度和特异度,比较3种方法对确诊肾移植术后并发细菌性肺部感染受者的阳性诊断结果。结果 PCT 检测灵敏度为95.8％,特异度为94．0％;内毒素检测灵敏度为77．1％,特异度为72．0％;CRP检测灵敏度为52．1％,特异度为58．0％。血清PCT检测细菌组受者阳性结果高于内毒素和CRP检测（χ2＝7.36,10．04, P均＜0．05）。结论血清PCT检测对于肾移植术后细菌性肺部感染的临床诊断价值高于内毒素和CRP,可作为肾移植受者是否并发细菌性肺部感染的优选诊断指标。     

胸椎管狭窄症术后脑脊液漏继发低颅压症状的临床特点及处理策略

【摘要】 目的：探讨胸椎管狭窄症术后脑脊液漏继发低颅压症状的临床特点及处理策略。方法：回顾性分析2021年8月～2022年3月于北京大学第三医院骨科行胸椎后路手术且术后并发脑脊液漏的38例胸椎管狭窄症患者的资料,其中男7例,女31例,年龄30～78岁（56.6±11.1岁）。根据术后是否出现低颅压症状分为低颅压症状组和非低颅压症状组,低颅压症状组15例,男1例,女14例,年龄43～78岁（58.9±11.0岁）,非低颅压症状组23例,男6例,女17例,年龄30～72岁（55.1±11.2岁）。采用疼痛视觉模拟评分（visual analogue scale,VAS）评估头痛,按照WHO规定标准对恶心呕吐进行分级,头晕按患者的主观感受分为：轻度、中度和重度,对比两组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、术后补液量及引流量;采用二元Logistic分析低颅压症状的危险因素;总结低颅压症状的具体表现、严重程度、出现时间、持续时间;评价补液、调整体位、改变引流方式等治疗措施对低颅压症状的疗效。结果：15例出现低颅压症状的患者中,头痛11例（73.3%）,恶心呕吐9例（60.0%）,头晕5例（33.3%）,其中7例（46.7%）为单一症状,6例（40.0%）合并2种症状,2例（13.3%）合并3种症状。头痛VAS评分为2～6分（4.0±1.0分）,恶心呕吐程度：Ⅱ级1例,Ⅲ级7例,Ⅳ级1例,头晕程度均为轻度。患者出现低颅压症状时间为术后24～96h（41.3±25.5h）。低颅压症状持续天数为1～4d（2.2±0.9d）。低颅压症状治疗方法包括补液、调整体位及改变引流方式,拔除引流管时间为3～5d,平均为3.9d。15例患者低颅压症状经保守治疗后均完全缓解,顺利出院。脑脊液漏继发并发症情况,非低颅压症状组颅内出血1例、蛛网膜下腔-胸膜腔瘘1例,低颅压症状组伤口裂开1例。患者胸椎管狭窄症术后并发脑脊液漏患者出现低颅压症状比例为39.5%（15/38）,低颅压症状组和非低颅压症状组在手术时间、术中出血量、术后补液量及引流量无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示年龄、性别、体重、身高、BMI、手术时间、手术节段、术中总入量、术中总出量、术中出血量、术后第1天血钠、平均每日引流量、平均每日引流量/体重、平均每日补液量、平均每日补液量/体重与低颅压症状无显著相关性（P＞0.05）。结论：胸椎管狭窄症术后并发脑脊液漏患者出现低颅压症状的比例较高;低颅压症状的常见临床表现为头痛、恶心呕吐、头晕,半数患者会合并出现两种或两种以上症状;补液、调整体位及改变引流方式等综合处理方案能够有效地缓解低颅压症状或缩短其持续时间。     

脑脊液持续引流结合鞘内注射治疗术后颅内G~-杆菌感染

目的探讨腰穿置管脑脊液持续引流+鞘内给药在治疗G~-杆菌所致神经外科手术后颅内感染中的作用。方法神经外科术后脑脊液培养结果为G~-杆菌感染的患者34例,均给予腰穿置管脑脊液持续引流,并结合药敏试验结果给予鞘内给药治疗。结果34例患者中32例有效,有效率为94.12%。2例无效,无效率为5.88%,其中1例死亡,死亡率为2.9%,1例自动出院。结论脑脊液持续引流+结合药敏的鞘内注射治疗术后颅内感染,简单、有效。     

Multiloculated hydrocephalus related to cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection

Summary This study is an attempt to establish that CSF shunt infection has a role in the aetiology of multiloculated hydrocephalus. The authors carried out a review of 12 cases of multiloculated hydrocephalus who were treated at King Khalid University Hospital between 1988–1994. The multiloculation appears to have developed following the shunt infection in all cases. The hydrocephalus was related to an intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in 9 patients and was congenital in 2 patients and post-meningitic in 1 patient. The shunt infection was caused by a gram-negative organism in 8 patients and duration of external ventricular drainage ranged from 9–24 (median 13) days. The diagnosis of multiloculated hydrocephalus was made on average 2 months after the shunt infection. In three patients endoscopic fenestration of intraventricular septations was attempted but was effective in only one case. The other patients were managed by two shunts (9 patients) and three shunts (2 patients). At a mean follow-up of 15 months, the shunt revision rate of the patients was 0.4/year. One patient died of multiple brain abscesses and 6 patients remain severely disabled. The poor outcome may also be related to the original IVH as well as the multiloculated hydrocephalus.The study also shows that patients with post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus, who develop a shunt infection due to gram-negative organisms and in whom the CSF fails to be cleared of the infection following 12 days of external drainage appear to be at risk of developing multiloculated hydrocephalus.     

神经内科危重症患者不同致病菌所致颅内感染的脑脊液生化及常规指标差异

目的分析神经内科不同致病菌所致颅内感染的脑脊液生化及常规检测指标,为治疗颅内感染提供理论依据。 方法选取2013年1月至2018年1月于重庆市开州区人民医院就诊的106例神经内科危重症患者为研究对象,其中并发颅内感染者为研究组（59例）,非颅内感染者为对照组（47例）。研究组患者根据是否出现昏迷分为未昏迷组（38例）和昏迷组（21例）,根据感染类型分为化脓性组（21例）、结核性组（20例）和病毒性组（18例）。应用生化分析仪、ELISA法和速率散射免疫比浊法检测患者脑脊液和血液上清液降钙素原（PCT）、C-反应蛋白（CRP）和神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）水平。 结果化脓性组、结核性组和病毒性组患者脑脊液及血清PCT、CRP和NSE水平均显著高于对照组患者（P均< 0.05）。病毒性组患者血清和脑脊液NSE水平[（15.68 ± 6.15）μg/L、（17.06 ± 3.25）μg/L）]显著高于化脓性组患者[（11.36 ± 3.54）μg/L、（10.65 ± 3.61）μg/L]和结核性组患者[（12.63 ± 4.26）μg/L、（12.89 ± 4.33）μg/L）]（P均< 0.05）。化脓性组患者血清和脑脊液PCT[（0.86 ± 0.34）ng/ml、（0.72 ± 0.33）ng/ml]和CRP水平[（8.55 ± 2.4）ng/ml、（8.68 ± 2.57）ng/ml]均高于病毒性组和结核性组患者,差异均有统计学意义（P均< 0.05）。昏迷组患者脑脊液和血清PCT、CRP和NSE水平均高于未昏迷组患者和对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P均< 0.05）。 结论神经内科并发颅内感染者脑脊液和血清PCT、CRP和NSE水平能够反映颅内感染病情,为颅内感染的诊断和治疗提供可靠依据。     

The risk of intracranial infection in adults with hydrocephalus after ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery: A retrospective study

Infection remains the most significant complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery. The objective of this study was to investigate intracranial infections complicating VPS surgery in adults with hydrocephalus. Patients who underwent VPS surgery for hydrocephalus between 2000 and 2016 were included. Clinical data and follow‐up evaluations were examined and analysed retrospectively. A total of 502 patients with hydrocephalus who underwent VPS surgery were included. They were followed up for at least 2 years. Twelve patients with incomplete data were excluded. Four hundred and ninety patients were included in the final analysis. Twenty‐five cases of intracranial infection occurred, accounting for 5.1% of patients with VPS surgery. The mean age of the patients was 57.1 ± 10.1 years (range, 39–72 years). The incidence of intracranial infection in patients over 60 years of age was higher than that in patients under 60 years of age (P = .007). Age (P = .007), diabetes (P = .026), skin infection (P = .028), bed‐ridden (P = .007), and modified operation (P = .011) were highly correlated with the incidence of intracranial infection. The findings of this retrospective study show that age, diabetes, skin infection, bed‐ridden, and modified operation of hydrocephalus significantly and independently correlated with the incidence of infection. Prospective studies are needed to assess the relationship between the incidence of infection and risk factors in patients with hydrocephalus after VPS.     

脑积水患者手术前后脑脊液中谷氨酸和一氧化氮水平的变化

目的 观察脑积水患者脑脊液内谷氨酸(Glu)和一氧化氮(NO)水平在手术前后的动态变化。方法 收集36例急性脑积水和21例慢性脑积水患者在接受脑脊液外引流或分流手术前后脑脊液标本,用高效液相色谱仪检测Glu浓度、硝酸还原酶法测NO浓度。对照组28例患者脑脊液用同样方法检测。结果 手术前,急性脑积水患者脑脊液中Glu和NO浓度分别为(8.17±1.06)、(38.47±3.90) μmol/L,慢性脑积水患者脑脊液中Glu和NO浓度分别为(6.23 ±0.97)、(33.18 ±2.75) μmol/L,均明显高于对照组,手术后Glu和NO浓度均有不同程度下降,其下降程度与患者的手术疗效呈正相关。结论 脑脊液中高水平的Glu和NO可能参与了脑积水患者的病理生理过程,动态测定脑脊液中Glu和NO浓度有助于判断患者的手术疗效和预后。     

Penetration of fusidic acid into human brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid

Summary Penetration of fusidic acid into brain tissue in six patients and cerebrospinal fluid in seven patients was determined. Tissue samples, taken during surgery revealed drug levels at about 7% of simultaneous serum concentrations. In contrast, cerebrospinal fluid concentrations were below 1% of serum levels. Since serum- and tissue levels of fusidic acid were far above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MICs) of staphylococci and streptococci, and since it has a long serum half-life of about 10 hours, it is a promising candidate for prophylaxis in neurosurgery.     

异丙酚对脑创伤家兔血/脑脊液乳酸和葡萄糖含量的影响

目的探讨异丙酚对家兔脑创伤的影响.方法用90只健康新西兰兔(雄性)建立稳定的脑创伤模型.1.将20只家兔随机分为对照组噻胺酮1mg/kg(n=10)与异丙酚(Pro)组噻胺酮1mg/kg+异丙酚30mg@kg-1@h-1.麻醉动物,维持30min(n=10).分别于伤前、伤后4h、24h、48h、72h、1w采集外周静静脉血与脑脊液,测定血/脑脊液乳酸(LA)和葡萄糖(Glu)含量;2.将70只家兔随机分为对照组,伤后24h组、72h组和1w组(输注生理盐水)以及伤后异丙酚治疗24h组、72h组和1w组(异丙酚30mg@kg-1@h-1.静脉滴注,每次维持30min,每天一次)(n=10),分别取脑组织做NSE免疫组织化学染色和病理检查.结果1.两组伤后血/脑脊液LA水平显著高于伤前(P＜0.01),但异丙酚组明显低于同时段对照组水平(P＜0.05或0.01);对照组伤后24h、48h和72h血/脑脊液Glu明显低于伤前,异丙酚组脑脊液Glu仅在伤后24h降低(P＜0.05或0.01),异丙酚组血Glu在伤后4h、24h与对照组比较有明显差异(P＜0.05).2.脑组织NSE免疫组织化学染色和病理检查对照组损伤区及其周围脑组织伤后24h起可见脑组织出血,退行性变,胶质细胞减少,部分区域细胞可见空泡变性;伤后72h可见较多嗜中性细胞浸润;伤后1w脑间质水肿,胶质细胞明显增生,神经元细胞未见NSE表达.异丙酚组在受伤脑组织或其周围损伤明显轻于对照组,部分神经元细胞NSE表达明显.结论异丙酚能够降低脑创伤后血/脑脊液LA含量,对创伤性脑损伤具有一定的保护作用.     

Reappraisal of the intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in patients with the so-called “Normal pressure hydrocephalus” syndrome

Summary Fifty-four shunt-responsive patients were selected from a prospective protocol directed to study patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Patients with gait disturbances, dementia, non-responsive L-Dopa Parkinsonism, urinary or faecal incontinence and an Evans ratio greater or equal to 0.30 on the CT scan were included in the study.As a part of their work-up all patients underwent intracranial pressure monitoring and hydrodynamic studies using Marmarou's bolus test. According to mean intracranial pressure (ICP) and the percentage of high amplitude B-waves, patients were subdivided in the following categories: 1) Active hydrocephalus (mean ICP above 15 mmHg), which is in fact no tone normal pressure hydrocephalus; 2) Compensated unstable hydrocephalus, when mean ICP was below 15 mmHg and B-waves were present in more than 25% of the total recording time and 3) Compensated stable hydrocephalus when ICP was lower or equal to 15 mmHg and beta waves were present in less than 25% of the total recording time.The majority of the patients in this study (70%) presented continuous high or intermittently raised ICP (active or unstable compensated hydrocephalus group). Mean resistance to outflow of CSF (Rout) was 38.8 mm Hg/ml/min in active hydrocephalus and 23.5 mm Hg/ml/min in the compensated group (Students t-test, p < 0.05). Higher resistance to outflow was found in patients with obliterated cortical sulci and obliterated Sylvian cisterns in the CT scan.No statistically significant correlation was found when plotting the percentage of beta waves against pressure volume index (PVI), compliance or Rout. An exponential correlation was found when plotting beta waves against the sum of conductance to outflow and compliance calculated by PVI method (r=0.79).Patients with the so-called normal pressure hydrocephalus syndrome have different ICP and CSF dynamic profiles. Additional studies taking into consideration these differences are necessary before defining the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of ICP monitoring and CSF studies in selecting appropriate candidates for shunting.