 |
 ADVANCED IMAGING CENTER PHYSICIAN NEWS |
 October 1999 |
Topics in Neuroradiology: MRI CSF FLOW STUDY
|
ADVANCED IMAGING CENTER PHYSICIAN NEWS |
October 1999 |
Q. What is MR CSF Flow Study?
This is a special noninvasive technique (no injections), only available at AIC, that evaluates CSF flow in the brain.
Q. What are some applications?
Two main applications: (1) evaluation for hyperdynamic flow in the brain for diagnosis of shunt-responsive Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH); and (2) evaluation of shunt patency in the brain.
Q. Can you actually measure the CSF flow velocity in the brain?
Yes! A sophisticated software available on our high-field 1.5 Tesla short-bore Siemens Symphony MRI can measure the CSF flow rate in the Aqueduct of Sylvius and calculate the CSF stroke volume per cardiac cycle.
Q. How do you determine if there is hyperdynamic flow?
If the CSF stroke volume is over a certain threshold, then hyperdynamic flow exists and shunt-responsive NPH becomes a possibility.
Q. What's shunt-responsive NPH?
NPH patients with hyperdynamic flow may actually respond to a shunt placement. The MR CSF Flow Study is a noninvasive test to select this group of patients.
For more information, please call me personally at (6610) 949-8111.
Ray Hashemi, MD, PhD
Director