Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Sep 17, 2020
  • Author: Michael J Schneck, MD, MBA; Chief Editor: Selim R Benbadis, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Multiple other illnesses may present similarly to NPH that should be considered in the Differential diagnosis. In particular, Parkinson disease and NPH may present in a similar, but distinct manner. Start hesitation and freezing episodes can occur in NPH, often mimicking the gait in Parkinson disease. In contrast to Parkinson disease, rigidity and unilateral rest tremor are less commonly observed. Furthermore, a robust response to L-Dopa is not typically seen in NPH, in contrast to Parkinson disease.

Differential Diagnoses