Understanding Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Guide to Billy Joel’s Diagnosis with NPH Brain Condition

NEW YORK — Billy Joel announced on Instagram that he is canceling all his upcoming concerts. His decision is a result of being diagnosed with a new health condition.

On Friday, a statement shared on his Instagram revealed he was recently diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

The health condition Joel is facing is known as normal pressure hydrocephalus, which falls under the category of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is described as an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid deep within the brain, as stated by the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a vital fluid found in the brain’s cavities, called ventricles, serving the purpose of cushioning the brain and spinal cord. An obstruction in the flow of CSF leads to fluid retention in the ventricles, ultimately leading to normal pressure hydrocephalus, according to the NINDS.

The extra fluid in the brain can cause pressure and lead to brain damage, as well as issues with walking, bladder control and thinking and reasoning, according to the NINDS.

Though it can happen at any age, normal pressure hydrocephalus is most common in older adults. It is most often diagnosed through a combination of neurological testing and brain imaging.

The best chance of recovery from normal pressure hydrocephalus comes if it is diagnosed early and treated properly.

The most common treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus, according to the NINDS, is surgery.

In one option, doctors insert a shunt into the brain, which connects to another tube under the skin to help drain the excess fluid from the brain. With this option, regular monitoring of the shunt is required, and additional surgeries and repairs may be needed.

A second surgical option for normal pressure hydrocephalus is endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or EVT, where a doctor makes a hole at the bottom of the third ventricle in the brain, which allows fluid to flow to relieve the pressure, according to the NINDS.