Shunting for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 14 March 2002. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

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.

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

Search strategy: 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'.

Selection criteria: 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.

Data collection and analysis: No data matching the selection criteria were found.

Main results: No randomized controlled trials of shunt placement versus no shunt were found.

Reviewers' conclusions: There is no evidence to indicate whether placement of a shunt is effective in the management of NPH.

Citation: Esmonde T, Cooke S. Shunting for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

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This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

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File Reference: AB003157.htm