Idiopathic Normal-Pressure Hydrocephalus Patient With an Ataxic Gait as the Predominant Presenting Manifestation

ABSTRACT

A 43-year-old man presented with progressive ataxic gait of 5 months duration. His gait speed was almost normal, and he did not exhibit shuffling, freezing, or festination. A formal neuropsychological evaluation revealed a deficit in visuospatial function and memory with mild frontal dysfunctions. Brain MRI revealed communicating hydrocephalus with an Evans' ratio of 0.32. After CSF removal by lumbar puncture the patient showed a marked improvement in gait as well as frontal lobe functions, and was finally diagnosed as having idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus.