Treatment of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus by Persian Medicine: A Case Report

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a chronic disease in adults. The standard treatment in this type of hydrocephalus is shunting which is accompanied by some complications and there is also uncertainty about response to treatment. Therefore, surgery is performed in only 10-20% of the cases with iNPH. Currently, oral acetazolamide and repetitive lumbar puncture for drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid are recommended in many patients. In this case report, a 34-year-old female patient with iNPH is introduced who received acetazolamide for the past two years, and repetitive lumbar punctures. These treatments reduced her symptoms for a short time, but had never disappeared the symptoms and after a while they intensified again. The patient was treated by Persian medicine and nutrition modification was also done. Within one year, there was no recurrence of the disease and no need for lumbar puncture. This case report highlights the need for further research on Persian medicine in treatment of iNPH. It is believed that Persian medicine could be of great benefit along with current treatments of hydrocephalus.