Clinical and MRI Characteristics of 56 Patients with Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Objective: To analyze and summarize the clinical and MRI manifestations of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) diagnosed via surgery in order to improve the understanding of this disease. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical and preoperative MR (including 3DT1WI, T2WI, and T2 FLAIR) data of 56 patients with iNPH diagnosed via shunt surgery at our hospital to evaluate and describe MR linear parameters and common radiological features. Results: Among the 56 patients with iNPH, 91.1%, 60.7%, and 42.9% showed gait disturbance, cognitive impairment, and urinary disturbance, respectively; the classical triad accounted for 23.2%. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (51.8%), diabetes (28.6%), and PD (12.5%). In the analysis of the 56 patients’ MR images, 82.1% had acute callosal angle and 39.3%, positive disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space (DESH) signs , with a mean DESH score of (5.24±1.27). Conclusion: Patients with confirmed iNPH most often also have hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and PD. The classical triad is less frequent, and the positive rate of typical MR signs is not high. Thus, the accurate diagnosis and prognosis prediction of negative patients remains challenging and should be combined with other clinical examinations to clarify the diagnosis and treatment.