Analysis of Intracranial CSF Flow Dynamics in Phase-Contrast Cine MRI

Abstract

In order to clarify the flow dynamics of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid(CSF), experimental and clinical studies were performed with MR imaging. In an experiment, to-and-fro flow and bulk flow were simultaneously generated as CSF flow movement in an aqueduct. Under these conditions, the flow velocities and patterns were quantitatively measured with both phase-contrast cine MR imaging and an electromagnetic flow meter. The measured values from MR imaging matched those of the electromagnetic flow meter. Clinically, CSF flow measurement with MR imaging revealed that the maximum CSF flow velocity and the peak interval in the aqueduct were greater in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus than in healthy volunteers. In conclusion, CSF flow analysis with MR imaging makes it possible to clarify noninvasively the pathophisiology of hydrocephalus and changes in the intracranial condition.