Reversible parkinsonism following ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a patient with obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular neurocysticercosis.

Abstract

Parkinsonism with evidence of midbrain dysfunction has been reported in a few patients with aqueductal stenosis after placement of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. The response to levodopa is variable. We report a patient with neurocysticercosis of the fourth ventricle who developed transient parkinsonism without evidence of midbrain dysfunction after placement of a VP shunt. The frequency of tremor was 5-5.5 Hz. Though the response to levodopa was initially slow, later it was significant, and after 3 months he was asymptomatic without levodopa. The exact pathophysiology of parkinsonism in our patient remained obscure.

• Authors: D K Prashantha, M Netravathi, S Ravishankar, Samhita Panda, Pramod Kumar Pal
• Journal: Clinical neurology and neurosurgery (Clin Neurol Neurosurg) Vol. 110 Issue 7 Pg. 718-21 (Jul 2008) ISSN: 0303-8467 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 18440127 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiparkinson Agents
• Levodopa

Topics

• Adult
• Antiparkinson Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cerebral Ventricles (pathology)
• Humans
• Hydrocephalus (etiology, pathology)
• Levodopa (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Neurocysticercosis (complications, diagnosis)
• Parkinsonian Disorders (drug therapy, etiology, pathology)
• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (adverse effects, methods)