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MR ventriculography for the study of CSF flow
Vivek B Joseph1, Lakshminarayan Raghuram, Ipeson P Korah
1Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|March 15, 2003
Summary
Gadolinium-enhanced MR ventriculography safely assesses cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, identifying blockages in hydrocephalus and evaluating cyst communication and third ventriculostomy patency.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Medical Imaging
- Neurology
Background:
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) techniques are utilized for assessing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and imaging brain structures.
- Gadolinium-based contrast agents have been anecdotally reported for intrathecal and intraventricular use in humans and animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical usefulness of gadolinium-enhanced MR ventriculography for assessing CSF flow in patients with various neurologic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Five patients underwent T1-weighted MR imaging before and after intraventricular injection of gadodiamide.
- Imaging focused on identifying CSF flow obstructions, cyst-ventricle communication, intraventricular lesions, and third ventriculostomy patency.
Main Results:
- MR ventriculography clearly delineated the ventricular system in all patients.
- Obstructions to CSF flow were identified at the foramen of Luschka and foramen of Monro in hydrocephalus patients.
- Communication between cysts and ventricles was assessed, and third ventriculostomy patency was evaluated, showing both flow and absence of flow.
Conclusions:
- MR ventriculography is a safe and effective technique for evaluating CSF flow.
- It aids in pinpointing obstruction sites in hydrocephalus.
- The technique is valuable for assessing cyst-ventricle communication and the functional status of endoscopic third ventriculostomies.