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. 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. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence to indicate whether placement of a shunt is effective in the management of NPH.