Normal pressure hydrocephalus: relationship among clinical picture, CT scan and intracranial pressure monitoring

Fifty-five patients suffering from normal pressure hydrocephalus were considered. All patients underwent chronic intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring for at least 24 h. The decision to perform surgery was made on the basis of the ICP monitoring data only. A retrospective analysis on clinical pictures, CT findings and ICP monitoring data was carried out in the attempt to find more selective criteria, in order to submit patients to chronic ICP monitoring. Clinical findings showed controversial data, whereas the enlargement of the III ventricle showed a strict, but not absolute, correlation to pathological pressure profiles. The follow-up of non-shunted patients is briefly discussed.