MRI contribution to the exploration of cerebrospinal fluid fistulae

Results of CT and MRI explorations in 8 patients with cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF) fistulae are reported and compared with surgical findings in 7. Sensit ivity of MRI (CISS and fast T2 spin-echo sequences) was excellent giving pe rfect correlations with surgical findings in 7/7 cases. CT and MRI were fou nd to provide complementary information suggesting they should be used in c ombination as first intention explorations of suspected CSF fistulae. Compu terized cisternography should be used if MRI is contraindicated or if a cli nically and biologically proven CSF fistulae is not visualized by CT or MRI .