[Cerebrospinal fluid flow imaging in the meningeal hemorrhage]

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow oscillations are synchronized with cerebral blood flow and are also involved in the control of variations of intracranial pressure during the cardiac cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible alterations of CSF flow dynamics during the acute phase of meningeal hemorrhage (MH).

Eleven patients with MH confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scan were examined by MR imaging, which comprised morphological sequences and flow dynamic sequences for quantification of CSF oscillations and cerebral blood flow rates. CSF oscillations were recorded at the cerebral aqueduct and C2-C3 subarachnoid space (SAS), where a vascular sequence was also performed to quantify artery blood flow. These results were compared to oscillations of a population of 44 control subjects and a difference of at least two standard deviation was used to define a hyperdynamic or hypodynamic appearance of CSF flow. Dilatation of the ventricular system was determined on radiographs by two neuroradiologists and a neurosurgeon.

Only four patients presented normal ventricular CSF flow, one patient presented hypodynamic flow and five patients presented hyperdynamic flow. Five patients had normal cervical CSF flow and five patients presented hyperdynamic flow. The two patients with ventricular dilatation both presented hyperdynamic ventricular CSF flow associated with normal cervical CSF flow. One patient was excluded.

Abnormal CSF flow dynamics were shown suggesting the hypothesis that bleeding increases intracranial volume and induces a reduction of cerebral compliance and an increase of intracranial pressure. The increased oscillations in the ventricular system would therefore predispose to dilatation.