[Diagnostic difficulties due to atypical symptoms in normal pressure hydrocephalus. A case report].
This paper presents a case of a female patient with unusual symptoms of diagnosed hydrocephalus. Symptoms demonstrated by the patient were initially diagnosed as immature personality, after that she was diagnosed with reactive depressive disorders. For those reasons she was treated for over 20 years in different psychiatric outpatient clinics and psychiatric hospitals. She was treated pharmacologically with different medications: antidepressants, neuroleptics etc. She also participated periodically in individual and group psychotherapy. Computed tomography performed after the loss of consciousness with significant motor deficits revealed relevant dilation of the cerebral ventricular system. The neuropsychological examination revealed disturbances in emotional-motivation area and cognitive deficits. Those disorders caused significant problems in social and professional activities. After completing the diagnosing process the patient was diagnosed with arrested hydrocephalus. Results of clinical examinations suggested that at this stage of the disease there are no indications for shunt implantation. Probably earlier diagnosis could bring a chance of successful neurosurgical intervention and definitely more efficient therapy.
Klinika Neurochirurgii, IMDiK PAN w Warszawie. ewmed@acn.waw.pl
Ewa
E
Fersten
Mariusz
M
Głowacki
Nestor
N
Walasek
Jerzy
J
Jurkiewicz
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D013997:Time Factors