[Acetazolamide: an alternative to shunting in normal pressure hydrocephalus? Preliminary results].
From a series of 15 consecutive patients with a normal-pressure hydrocephalus examined over 2 years. 10 showed frank improvement with oral acetazolamide. The drug was a first-choice treatment in 5 cases and was given up after a spinal tap in 5 cases. Clinical response occurred even in the most severe cases, although it was slightly less impressive for intellectual impairment than for gait or bladder disturbances. Tolerance was excellent with a daily dose of 250 to 500 mg. The benefit remained stable on a more than 1 year follow-up in 8 cases. We suggest that acetazolamide should be tried in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus prior to considering shunting.
Clinique Neurologique, Hôpital Neurologique P. Wertheimer, Lyon.
G
G
Aimard
A
A
Vighetto
J Y
JY
Gabet
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P
Bret
E
E
Henry
D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000628:therapy*; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male
D000086:Acetazolamide
Acétazolamide: une alternative à la dérivation dans l'hydrocéphalie à pression normale? Résultats préliminaires.