Assessment of Flow Dynamics of Cerebrospinal Fluid with Phase-contrast Cine MR Image

Kim, Dong Seok; Choi, Joong Uhn; Yun, Pyeung Ho; Kim, Dong Ik; Park, Seoung Woo

Abstract

Phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging techniques can be used to evaluate the to-and-fro motion of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) throughout CSF pathways between the ventricles and subarachnoid space of the brain and spine. This CSF motion is due to transmitted cardiac pulsation from systolic expansion of the cerebral hemispheres. To cover the entire cardiac cycle, peripheral cardiac triggering was used. Using this technique, we analyzed quantitative CSF motion over a cardiac cycle to distinguish normal CSF flow from that seen in hydrocephalus. We tested the reproducibility of the aqueductal CSF signal intensity on a phase contrast cine MR sequence in 28 patients with normal ventricle. Sixteen patients with obstructive hydrocephalus and 11 patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus(NPH) were investigated with the sequence before and after CSF diversion. The peak CSF flow velocity in aqueduct was significantly increased in patients with NPH and significantly decreased in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus(NPH group: 6.71cm/sec, control group: 2.94cm/sec, obstructive group; less than 1.0cm/sec). After LP shunting in NPH group, retrograde flow signal curves were anterogradely converted and the peak flow velocities were somewhat decreased(mean: 5.10cm/sec). The clinical diagnosis of NPH was well correlated with the results of cine MRI. After endoscopic third ventriculostomy in obstructive group, we could note increased CSF flow velocity both at prepontine cistern and precordal subarachnoid space with markedly increased flow at prepontine cistern. Phase contrast cine MRI is useful in evaluatng the CSF dynamics in patients with hyperdynamic aqueductal CSF (NPH) or aqueductal obstruction(obstructive hydrocephalus).