This paper summarizes our experience of exploiting a Dual Echo Steady State (DESS) pulse sequence for the fast qualitative assessment of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics at the aqueduct of Sylvius and Monro's foramina levels of the brain liquor pathways using a low-field magnetic resonance imager. Normal and pathologic CSF flow patterns are discussed. The capabilities of the described method as an effective extra tool for deriving the additional diagnostic information via visualization of flow voids in the brain CSF pathways are shown.
AhoTRKarisJP: Normal pressure hydrocephalus: diagnostic imaging and prognostic assessment. Barrow Quarterly19: 16–22, 2003.
2.
ChoiJ-UKimD-SHuhR: Endoscopic approach to arachnoid cyst. Childs Nerv Syst15: 285–291, 1999.
3.
GammalTAllenM: MR evaluation of hydrocephalus. Am J Neuroradiol149: 807–813, 1987.
4.
GreitzD: Radiological assessment of hydrocephalus: new theories and implications for therapy. The Neuroradiology Journal19: 475–495, 2006.
5.
HaughtonVMKorosecFR: Peak systolic and diastolic CSF velocity in the foramen magnum in adult patients with Chiari I malformations and in normal control participants. Am J Neuroradiol24: 169–176, 2003.
6.
LeeJHLeeHK: CSF flow quantification of the cerebral aqueduct in normal volunteers using phase contrast cine MR imaging. Korean J Radiol5: 81–86, 2004.
7.
HoffmannKTHostenN: CSF flow studies of intracranial cysts and cyst-like lesions achieved using reversed fast imaging with steady-state precession MR sequences. Am J Neuroradiol21: 493–502, 2000.
8.
BushongSC: Gradient echo imaging. In: RowlandJ (Ed): Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Mosby, St. Louis1996: 292–297.
9.
MosherTJPruettSW: Magnetic resonance imaging of superficial cartilage lesions: role of contrast in lesion detection. J Magn Reson Imaging10: 178–182, 1999.
10.
WesbeyGEdelmanRHarrisR: Artifacts in MR Imaging. In: EdelmanRHesselinkJ (Ed): Clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia1990: 87–89.
11.
BradleyWGKortmanKEBurgoyneB: Flowing cerebrospinal fluid in normal and hydrocephalic states: appearance on MR images. Radiology159: 611–616, 1986.