Asymptomatic intracranial hypertension in disorders of CSF circulation in childhood - Treated and untreated

Twelve patients are described who were found to have asymptomatic intracran ial hypertension monitored over an extended (6 months to 6 years) period. T here were three groups: 5 patients with treated hydrocephalus with an appar ently functioning shunt, 4 patients with untreated hydrocephalus, clinicall y and radiologically nonprogressive, and 3 patients with pseudotumor cerebr i, 2 treated and 1 untreated, Although the magnitude of the intracranial pr essure changes varied, all patients had abnormal baseline pressures togethe r with repeated A and B waves, In no case was there any clinical manifestat ion of raised intracranial pressure and in all cases ventricular size remai ned constant over the period of evaluation, The clinical and pathophysiolog ical implications of these findings are discussed, Copyright (C) 2001 S. Ka rger AG,Basel.