[Pneumoencephalography in multiple sclerosis]

Pneumoencephalography was performed in 35 patients with a significant diagnosis of disseminated sclerosis. Enlargement of the III ventricle was revealed in 21 patients (60%), dropsy of lateral ventricles in 16 (45,6%) and that of the IV ventricle in 13 (37,2%), atrophy of brain stem in 9 (25,4%), block of the subarachnoidal space in 11 patients (31,4%). The most pronounced brain changes were seen in patients with a cerebellar form of disseminated sclerosis and in those having severe motor disturbances, ataxia and tremor. The degree of hydrocephalus did not depend on the disease duration. A possible pathogenetic role of dropsy in disseminated sclerosis is discussed. Hydrocephalus may be considered as an additional clinicoroentgenological feature of disseminated sclerosis.