Abstract: Objective To investigate the diagnostic and predictive value of spasticity in shunting patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).Methods Twenty-three secondary NPH patients who received ventriculo-peritoneal shunt were retrospected. Increased muscular tension were quantified pre and post-shunting by modified Ashworth scale. The dilatated ventricle was measured by Evans' index.Results Four weeks after shunting, spasticity was relieved to some extent on all the identical limbs side of the primary impairment cerebral and 78% cases was improved to zero scale. on the contralateral side limbs, the relieved rate was 86% and 46% cases improved to normal scale. Evans' index improved 35%.Conclusion Increased muscle tonus could be measurement quantified and is readily available and sensitive as a diagnostic criteria in secondary NPH.

Key words: normal pressure hydrocephalus, spasticity, shunting