A Case of Cauda Equina Schwannoma Presenting as Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

ABSTRACT

A 61-year-old man presented with cognitive dysfunction and an 8-month history of progressive gait disturbance. Brain MRI revealed communicating hydrocephalus. Under the impression of normal pressure hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study was done and showed unusually increased opening pressure (40 cm H2O) and protein concentration (650 mg/dl). Spine MRI was performed to rule out the possibility of intraspinal tumor. It revealed cauda equina mass, which was confirmed to be schwannoma pathologically. Intraspinal tumor should be suspected in patients with abnormally increased CSF opening pressure and/or CSF protein who presented as normal pressure hydrocephalus.