Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamic changes in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension using phase contrast cine MR imaging

Abstract

Abstract Background Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) mainly affects overweight women in the middle age period. The pathophysiology of IIH stays unclear, but suggested mechanisms include excess CSF production, reduced CSF absorption, increased brain water content, and increased cerebral venous pressure Objectives To assess the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamic changes in aqueduct of Sylvius in patients of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with new MRI technique: phase contrast cine MRI (PCC-MRI). Methods Thirty patients diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension were divided into 3 groups according to treatment options (no treatment, medical treatment, and medical treatment with repeated lumbar tapping). CSF flow data were evaluated by phase contrast cine MRI. Results PCC-MRI parameters were significantly higher in group who was on medical treatment (group II) than other groups. The sensitivity of PCC MRI parameters ranged from 56.7 (stroke volume (SV) and mean flow (MF)) to 83.3% (peak systolic velocity (PSV)). A statistically significant difference was found for the mean flow value (p 0.039) between the control group and IIH patients. Conclusion The most specific CSF flowmetry parameter detected to help diagnosis of IIH is mean flow especially among early discovered patients. PCC MRI can be used as non-invasive technique for diagnosis of IIH and treatment follow-up.

Keywords

• Cerebrospinal fluid
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• Phase contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging