Blocking cerebrospinal fluid absorption through the cribriform plate increases resting intracranial pressure

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drains through the cribriform plate (CP) in association with the olfactory nerves. From this location, CSF is absorbed into nasal mucosal lymphatics. Recent data suggest that this pathway plays an important role in global CSF transport in sheep. In this report, we tested the hypothesis that blocking CSF transport through this pathway would elevate resting intracranial pressure (ICP). ICP was measured continuously from the cisterna magna of sheep before and after CP obstruction in the same animal. To block CSF transport through the CP, an external ethmoidectomy was performed. The olfactory and adjacent mucosa were removed, and the bone surface was sealed with tissue glue. To restrict our analysis to the cranial CSF system, CSF transport into the spinal subarachnoid compartment was prevented with a ligature tightened around the thecal sac between C1 and C2. Sham surgical procedures had no significant effects, but in the experimental group CP obstruction elevated ICP significantly. Mean postobstruction steady-state pressures (18.0 +/- 3.8 cmH(2)O) were approximately double the preobstruction values (9.2 +/- 0.9 cmH(2)O). These data support the concept that the olfactory pathway represents a major site for CSF drainage.