The office is visited by a 43-year-old guy with a history of HIV infection who is not adhering to highly active antiretroviral medication as a result of years of memory loss and cognitive impairment. The patient struggles with speaking, concentration, and attention. He has been more indifferent and sluggish during the past few months. He has fallen several times in the recent past due to balance issues. The patient hasn't had a headache, tremor, blurred vision, fever, nausea, or incontinence. His brother has a history of severe intellectual disability and epilepsy. The patient has an 18/30 Mini-Mental State Examination score and is emotionally dulled. He also struggles with fine motor skills and postural instability. Noncontrast head CT scan reveals diffuse cortical atrophy with some enlargement of the ventricles, as shown in the exhibits. This patient's condition can be best described as which of the following?

Question

The office is visited by a 43-year-old guy with a history of HIV infection who is not adhering to highly active antiretroviral medication as a result of years of memory loss and cognitive impairment. The patient struggles with speaking, concentration, and attention. He has been more indifferent and sluggish during the past few months. He has fallen several times in the recent past due to balance issues. The patient hasn't had a headache, tremor, blurred vision, fever, nausea, or incontinence. His brother has a history of severe intellectual disability and epilepsy. The patient has an 18/30 Mini-Mental State Examination score and is emotionally dulled. He also struggles with fine motor skills and postural instability. Noncontrast head CT scan reveals diffuse cortical atrophy with some enlargement of the ventricles, as shown in the exhibits.   This patient's condition can be best described as which of the following?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Hydrocephalus is an enlargement of the ventricles (with or without elevated pressure) caused by either neuronal volume loss (eg, hydrocephalus ex-vacuo) or excessive cerebrospinal fluid accumulation (due to flow obstruction or impaired absorption).  Neurodegenerative diseases (eg, AIDS dementia) can be associated with hydrocephalus ex-vacuo due to significant cortical atrophy, which allows the ventricles to expand while maintaining normal pressure.

The Office Is Visited by a 43-Year-Old Guy with a History