title: The association of normal-pressure hydrocephalus with obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: This report describes a 70-year-old man with obstructive sleep apnea who deteriorated rapidly when nasal continuous positive airway pressure was begun. The patient was found to have normal-pressure hydrocephalus, which was possibly exacerbated by the nasal continuous positive airway pressure. A review of the literature indicates several significant associations between apnea, normal-pressure hydrocephalus, and increased intracranial pressure and suggests that the association of obstructive sleep apnea and hydrocephalus might not be rare. Implications for diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02903.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Millman
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Fogel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000075202:Contraindications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010546:Perphenazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D009661:Nortriptyline; D010546:Perphenazine