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My Husband Has Been Diagnosed With Hydrocephalus And So Far
Question: My husband has been diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and so far nothing has been done except a spinal tap. His condition is getting worse and I want to know if there is any more help. His right side is very weak and many times he can't make his right foot go where it needs to go. He is having blurred vision, is having problem controlling his bladder, and a little bit of dementia. I want to know if I should be trying to get him into a neurologist. He has had the spinal tap by a neuro-surgeon. He says there is nothing more that can be done.
Brief Answer:
Hydrocephalus should be treated even surgically.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query.
From the symptoms seems that the diagnosis is normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
If there was an improvement after the spinal tap, then, your husband is a candidate to be treated with surgery.
Parkinson's disease also may cause similar symptoms, so, an evaluation with levodopa is necessary also ( Parkinson's improves by levodopa use, NPH patients don't improve ).
Surgery in such cases include ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculoatrial shunting.
A less invasive procedure such as endoscopic third ventriculostomy ( ETV) also may result in improvement.
So, if the overall health condition doesn't pose any major risks for the surgery, your husband needs to be treated.
Get a second opinion from a Neurosurgeon or Neurologist.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Hydrocephalus should be treated even surgically.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query.
From the symptoms seems that the diagnosis is normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
If there was an improvement after the spinal tap, then, your husband is a candidate to be treated with surgery.
Parkinson's disease also may cause similar symptoms, so, an evaluation with levodopa is necessary also ( Parkinson's improves by levodopa use, NPH patients don't improve ).
Surgery in such cases include ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculoatrial shunting.
A less invasive procedure such as endoscopic third ventriculostomy ( ETV) also may result in improvement.
So, if the overall health condition doesn't pose any major risks for the surgery, your husband needs to be treated.
Get a second opinion from a Neurosurgeon or Neurologist.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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