Abstract
Low-/negative-pressure hydrocephalus (LPH/NePH) is uncommon in clinical practice,
and doctors are unfamiliar with it. LPH/NePH is frequently caused by other central
nervous system diseases, and patients are frequently misdiagnosed with other types
of hydrocephalus, resulting in delayed treatment. LPH/NePH therapy evolved to therapeutic
measures based on “external ventricular drainage below atmospheric pressure” as the
number of patients with LPH/NePH described in the literature has increased. However,
the mechanism of LPH/NePH formation is unknown. Thus, understanding the process of
LPH/NePH development is the most important step in improving diagnosis and treatment
capability. Based on case reports of LPH/NePH, we reviewed theories of transcortical
pressure difference, excessive cerebral venous drainage, brain viscoelastic changes,
and porous elastic sponges.
Keywords
low-pressure hydrocephalus - negative-pressure hydrocephalus - cerebral viscoelasticity
change theory - excessive drainage of cerebral veins theory - porous elastic sponge
theory
