Clinical Features of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Critical Review of Objective Findings

Abstract

BackgroundIdiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is characterized by the classic clinical triad of gait, cognitive, and urinary dysfunction, albeit incomplete in a relevant proportion of patients. The clinical findings and evolution of these symptoms have been variably defined in the literature. ObjectivesTo evaluate how the phenomenology has been defined, assessed, and reported, we performed a critical review of the existing literature discussing the phenomenology of iNPH. The review also identified the instrumental tests most frequently used and the evolution of clinical and radiologic findings. MethodsThe review was divided into 3 sections based on gait, cognitive, and urinary dysfunction. Each section performed a literature search using the terms "idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus" (iNPH), with additional search terms used by each section separately. The number of articles screened, duplicates, those meeting the inclusion criteria, and the number of articles excluded were recorded. Findings were subsequently tallied and analyzed. ResultsA total of 1716 articles with the aforementioned search criteria were identified by the 3 groups. A total of 81 full-text articles were reviewed after the elimination of duplicates, articles that did not discuss phenomenological findings or instrumental testing of participants with iNPH prior to surgery, and articles with fewer than 10 participants. Conclusions"Wide-based gait" was the most common gait dysfunction identified. Cognitive testing varied significantly across articles, and ultimately a specific cognitive profile was not identified. Urodynamic testing found detrusor overactivity and "overactive bladder" as the most common symptom of urinary dysfunction.