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The EEG in normal pressure hydrocephalus

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Summary

Fourteen patients with NPH were studied with special reference to associated EEG changes, one case being reported in detail. In 13 cases the EEG was abnormal, the abnormality most frequently observed being a of the rhythmic slow wave type, consisting of bursts of monorhythmic theta or delta waves seen in both hemispheres. This type of abnormality was present in 7 cases. In 4 of the 5 cases with serial EEGs the abnormality became more accentuated with the advance of the illness. In 4 of 5 cases in whom postoperative EEGs were obtained there was significant improvement of the EEG after the shunting procedure.

There were strong correlations between the EEG abnormality described, demonstrable ventricular reflux on cisternography, and the effectiveness of the shunt operation.

It was considered that serial EEGs are a useful diagnostic procedure in following up patients at risk of developing NPH.

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Author notes

  1. Kazuo Hashi

    Present address: Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan

    Shuro Nishimura, Akinori Kondo, Kiyoshi Nin & Shim Jac-Hong

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  1. Kazuo Hashi
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  2. Shuro Nishimura
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  3. Akinori Kondo
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  4. Kiyoshi Nin
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Hashi, K., Nishimura, S., Kondo, A. et al. The EEG in normal pressure hydrocephalus. Acta neurochir 33, 23–35 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405738

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