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Evaluation of basilar artery and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics using phase-contrast MRI: Comparison between mannitol
Ai Hori1, Wakako Seo1, Kenjirou Miyoshi1
1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan.
Insights
Phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) can measure cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and basilar artery flow in dogs. This study found no significant flow differences between mannitol and saline administration, though PC-MRI is feasible for assessing CSF dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Medical Imaging
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) poses a life-threatening risk in canines, necessitating rapid diagnosis and treatment.
- Non-invasive quantification of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and basilar artery flow is crucial for managing ICP.
- Phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) offers a potential method for evaluating these hemodynamic parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate PC-MRI for quantifying CSF and basilar artery flow in healthy Beagles.
- To assess the effects of intravenous hypertonic mannitol versus isotonic saline on these flow parameters.
- To explore the feasibility of PC-MRI in monitoring CSF dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Six healthy Beagle dogs underwent PC-MRI scans at the mesencephalic aqueduct.
- Dogs received either 1.0 g/kg mannitol or isotonic saline intravenously.
- Basilar artery and CSF flow rates were measured pre- and post-administration for 2 hours.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in basilar artery or CSF flow velocity were detected between mannitol and saline groups.
- Isotonic saline showed a slight trend toward increasing basilar artery velocity.
- Mannitol administration showed a non-significant trend toward reducing CSF waveforms.
Conclusions:
- PC-MRI is a feasible technique for measuring CSF and basilar artery flow dynamics in dogs.
- This preliminary study did not detect significant hemodynamic differences between mannitol and saline administration.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of hypertonic solutions in canine ICP management.
Abstract:
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) can cause irreversible pathological changes in the canine brain and can be life-threatening, so prompt diagnosis and therapeutic responses are warranted. The purposes of this prospective experimental study were to evaluate phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) as a non-invasive method for quantifying cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and basilar artery flow, and to assess effects of intravenous administration of hypertonic fluid. A PC-MRI scan was acquired for six healthy Beagle dogs at the level of the mesencephalic aqueduct. Either 1.0 g/kg mannitol or isotonic saline solution was administered intravenously for 15 min each at a matched dose volume of 5 mL/kg. Basilar artery and CSF flow rates were measured and their values compared between mannitol and isotonic saline solution groups before administration, and subsequently every 15 min for 2 h post-administration. The CSF dynamics were further assessed by measuring repeat flow from the caudal to rostral direction and the rostral to caudal direction as the number of waves. No significant difference was observed in basilar or and CSF flow velocity between the two groups (P > .05). However, administration of isotonic saline solution tended to increase basilar artery velocity slightly over time, while CSF velocity remained unchanged. In the mannitol group, CSF wave forms tended to be reduced at 60 and 75 min (P > .05). Findings from this preliminary study indicated that it is feasible to measure the dynamics of CSF and basilar artery flow by PC-MRI, but no flow differences could be detected for mannitol versus isotonic saline administration.
