Shunting for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
BACKGROUND
Since the condition was first described in 1965, the syndrome of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) has conventionally been managed by placement of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of shunting procedures in promoting stability or improvement in the neurological symptoms and signs of NPH.


METHODS
The trials were identified from a search of the Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group on 26 June 2001 using the terms 'shunt*' and 'normal pressure hydrocephalus'.


METHODS
Studies included for analysis were those involving the placement of a CSF shunt for the treatment of NPH as part of a randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
No data matching the selection criteria were found.


RESULTS
No randomized controlled trials of shunt placement versus no shunt were found.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence to indicate whether placement of a shunt is effective in the management of NPH.
Dept of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Dept of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK, BT12 6BA. tesmonde@breathemail.net
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Esmonde
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Cooke
D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000628:therapy*