TY - JOUR
T1 - Restoration of sexual activity in patients with chronic hydrocephalus after shunt placement
AU - Missori, Paolo
AU - Scollato, Antonio
AU - Formisano, Rita
AU - Currà, Antonio
AU - Mina, Concetta
AU - Marianetti, Massimo
AU - Polli, Filippo Maria
AU - Peschillo, Simone
AU - Paolini, Sergio
AU - Frati, Alessandro
AU - Miscusi, Massimo
PY - 2009/10
Y1 - 2009/10
N2 - Background: Chronic (normotensive or low pressure) hydrocephalus is characterized clinically by gait disturbance, cognitive and urinary impairment, known as Hakim's triad. Nothing has been reported about impairment in sexual function, which could involve both the patient and the patient's partner. Methods: Out of 97 patients undergoing shunt placement for chronic hydrocephalus, 28 male patients (28.8%) referenced sexual dysfunction before operation. In these cases, we performed a preoperative and postoperative survey of sexual activity. Results: In the preoperative period, all 28 patients reported having no sexual activity or arousal, from 2 to 4 years before the operation. Following shunt placement, 22/28 (78.5%) of patients regained variable sexual desire within a period ranging from 3 to 8 weeks, affording normal sexual activity with their partner. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction can be part of the very early clinical background in patients with Hakim's triad and neuroradiological imaging compatible with chronic hydrocephalus. Restoration of sexual ability and arousal should be considered among the postoperative goals in these cases, together with improvements in cognition, gait, and urinary continence.
AB - Background: Chronic (normotensive or low pressure) hydrocephalus is characterized clinically by gait disturbance, cognitive and urinary impairment, known as Hakim's triad. Nothing has been reported about impairment in sexual function, which could involve both the patient and the patient's partner. Methods: Out of 97 patients undergoing shunt placement for chronic hydrocephalus, 28 male patients (28.8%) referenced sexual dysfunction before operation. In these cases, we performed a preoperative and postoperative survey of sexual activity. Results: In the preoperative period, all 28 patients reported having no sexual activity or arousal, from 2 to 4 years before the operation. Following shunt placement, 22/28 (78.5%) of patients regained variable sexual desire within a period ranging from 3 to 8 weeks, affording normal sexual activity with their partner. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction can be part of the very early clinical background in patients with Hakim's triad and neuroradiological imaging compatible with chronic hydrocephalus. Restoration of sexual ability and arousal should be considered among the postoperative goals in these cases, together with improvements in cognition, gait, and urinary continence.
KW - Arousal
KW - Cerebral blood flow
KW - Chronic hydrocephalus
KW - Sexual
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U2 - 10.1007/s00701-009-0331-4
DO - 10.1007/s00701-009-0331-4
M3 - Article
C2 - 19823916
AN - SCOPUS:70350004931
VL - 151
SP - 1241
EP - 1244
JO - Acta Neurochirurgica
JF - Acta Neurochirurgica
SN - 0001-6268
IS - 10
ER -