Current Possibilities of the Use of Magnetic Resonance in the Diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Overview

Normal pressure hydrocephalus, especially idiopathic, is a disease of older age. Diagnosis of this disease is still a topic of scientific research and discussions. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain seems to be a perspective diagnostic tool. In our review, we present modalities of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain that can be useful in the diagnostic algorithm of normal pressure hydrocephalus. We present both, conventional magnetic resonance ima­ging that shows the morphology of brain parenchyma, as well as modalities that provide valuable information about the functional parameters of the brain tissue. Although research in this area is promising, the optimal modality of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain has not been identified yet. Therefore, magnetic resonance imaging continues to be used as a complementary method and cannot fully replace the liquorodynamic tests.

Key words:
normal pressure hydrocephalus – gait disturbances – dementia – incontinentia – magnetic resonance imaging of the brain

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manu­script met the ICMJE “uniform requirements” for biomedical papers.