New-onset hydrocephalus in an adult with cerebral palsy: A case report and review of the literature.
Jeremy Roberts, Denesh Ratnasingam, Cristina Sarmiento
PMID 39269861WHAT IT FOUND
A 27-year-old woman with cerebral palsy developed new hydrocephalus, causing severe spasms and pain.
An MRI revealed enlarged ventricles. Shunt surgery resolved her symptoms rapidly. This case suggests clinicians should investigate neurologic causes for new or worsening hypertonia in adults with cerebral palsy.
Key findings
01New-onset bilateral lower extremity spasms and severe pain in an adult with cerebral palsy were identified as symptoms of newly acquired non-obstructive hydrocephalus.
02Symptoms including spasms, pain, and decreased oral intake resolved rapidly after ventriculoperitoneal shunt replacement.
03The case highlights the need for comprehensive evaluation for neurologic causes when adults with cerebral palsy present with changes in spasticity or hypertonia.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
This is a single case report, so it cannot establish that hydrocephalus is a common cause of worsening spasms in adults with cerebral palsy. The cause of the hydrocephalus was not identified. Generalizability is limited to patients with similar profiles (adults with severe CP, nonverbal, using AAC).
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest were declared by the authors. No funding was provided.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that hydrocephalus is a frequent cause of worsening spasms in adults with cerebral palsy based on this single case. It is a rare presentation that required extensive exclusion of other causes before diagnosis.