Cerebrospinal fluid flow in children with normal and dilated ventricles studied by MR imaging

Purpose: To quantify the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in the aqueduct of children with normal and dilated ventricles using MR phase-contrast tec hnique. Material and Methods: Eighteen patients (6 months to 17 years of age) with various neurological symptoms underwent routine brain MR imaging and CSF ho w measurement in the aqueduct. Nine patients had normal ventricles, 5 had d ilated ventricles and 4 had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Results: The CSF velocity and flow rates in the aqueduct in patients with n ormal and dilated ventricles showed marked inter-individual variation and c lear overlap. In a patient with tight aqueductal stenosis and increased ven tricular pressure, pronounced CSF flow in the aqueduct was measured. Absenc e of flow in another patient with aqueductal stenosis was detected. Measura ble although low flow in the aqueduct in 4 patients with a ventriculoperito neal shunt was found. Conclusion: Quantitative phase MR flow measurement in the aqueduct demonstr ated aqueductal stenosis; these patients had either pronounced flow or no f low in the aqueduct.