What radiological finding is characteristic of normal pressure hydrocephalus?

• A. Enlarged Subarachnoid Spaces
• B. Widely Dilated Ventricles
• C. Increased Cortical Atrophy
• D. Small Ventricles

Answer: (B)

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain's ventricles, leading to an enlargement of these spaces while often maintaining normal pressure during clinical evaluations. This condition typically presents with classic symptoms of gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, and cognitive impairment.

The radiological finding associated with normal pressure hydrocephalus is widely dilated ventricles. Despite the increased size of the ventricles, there often isn't a corresponding increase in intracranial pressure, which is what distinguishes this condition from other types of hydrocephalus. This dilatation occurs without significant sulcal enlargement, indicating that the surrounding brain tissue is relatively preserved in volume compared to other conditions that cause ventriculomegaly, such as atrophy.

In summary, the characteristic finding of widely dilated ventricles on imaging is crucial for diagnosing normal pressure hydrocephalus, distinguishing it from conditions where other pathologies might also lead to changes in ventricular size.