The association of normal-pressure hydrocephalus with obstructive sleep apnea.

This report describes a 70-year-old man with obstructive sleep apnea who deteriorated rapidly when nasal continuous positive airway pressure was begun. The patient was found to have normal-pressure hydrocephalus, which was possibly exacerbated by the nasal continuous positive airway pressure. A review of the literature indicates several significant associations between apnea, normal-pressure hydrocephalus, and increased intracranial pressure and suggests that the association of obstructive sleep apnea and hydrocephalus might not be rare. Implications for diagnosis and treatment are discussed.