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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1982 Jan;45(1):64–69. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.45.1.64

The clinical effect of lumbar puncture in normal pressure hydrocephalus.

C Wikkelsø, H Andersson, C Blomstrand, G Lindqvist
PMCID: PMC491267  PMID: 7062072

Abstract

Owing to all the difficulties involved in selecting patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus for shunt-operation, a cerebrospinal fluid-tap-test (CSF-TT) is introduced. Psychometric and motor capacities of the patients are measured before and after lumbar puncture and removal of 40-50 ml CSF. Patients fulfilling criteria for normal pressure hydrocephalus were compared to patients with dementia and atrophy shown by computed tomography. Normal pressure hydrocephalus patients showed temporary improvement after lumbar puncture. The extent of the temporary improvement appeared to be well correlated with the improvement after shunt operation. Accordingly, the CSF-TT seems to be of value when selecting those patients who will probably benefit from a shunt operation.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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