INFORMATION VALUE OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING IN SHUNTED HYDROCEPHALUS

Objective - To study the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in e valuating children with shunted hydrocephalus. Methods - Sixty one asy mptomatic children with shunted hydrocephalus or cystic cerebrospinal fluid collections were studied by cranial MRI. The information obtaine d from the images was classified into three categories: provided (1) a new diagnosis, (2) additional information, or (3) no essential new in formation. The findings were compared with those of the last follow up computed tomograms. Results - MRI provided a new diagnosis in seven c ases (11.5%), and additional information was obtained in 34 (55.7%) ca ses. In 20 cases (32.8%) no essential new information was obtained. MR I visualised white matter lesions and corpus callosum pathology more o ften than computed tomograms. Conclusions - MRI provided new important information in cases of children with shunted hydrocephalus to such a n extent that it can be recommended as the primary imaging method for every child with this disorder.