Billy Joel has announced the cancellation of his upcoming concerts due to a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). This condition is characterized by symptoms such as cognitive and memory problems, balance and gait issues, and urinary incontinence. Dr. Matthew Potts, an expert in neurological surgery at Northwestern Medicine, is available for media interviews to discuss NPH's symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis.
"NPH has a treatment, which is draining excess fluid from the brain using a surgically inserted shunt," stated Dr. Potts. He emphasized the importance of accurate diagnosis since the symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions affecting older adults. "The important thing is getting the right diagnosis."
Dr. Potts explained that diagnosing NPH can be challenging because there isn't a definitive test for it. "There is not one test that says 'Yes, this is NPH.' For some patients, fluid will build up and a brain scan might show it, but that doesn’t mean it’s NPH," he said.
Before proceeding with shunt surgery, most patients undergo a simulated procedure to assess potential benefits. This involves draining fluid via a lumbar puncture or spinal tap to observe if symptoms improve temporarily.
In terms of treatment specifics, Dr. Potts described how shunts are used: "To drain that excess fluid, we put in a shunt during surgery where one end goes in the cerebral spinal fluid while the other end usually goes somewhere else in the body — usually the abdomen — to drain the excess fluid."
He also clarified differences between hydrocephalus and NPH: "Hydrocephalus in general means a buildup of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain...NPH is a type of hydrocephalus typically seen in older people."
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