Quantification of Flow of Cerebrospinal Fluid on Basal Level of Brain by a Phase-Contrast MRI Technique

摘要

Here we present on the ability of phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately measure dynamic properties of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow on basal level of brain. CSF characteristics were compared in a group of 55 healthy volunteers. MRI study was performed using 1. 5 T system with the following parameters: repetition time TR/echo time TE = 14/8. 3 ms; flip angle FA = 15°; slice thickness = 4 mm. Velocity values of CSF flow on basal level of brain obtained in the study were statistically analyzed by capturing mean values and building confidence intervals (p = 0. 05). Student's paired t-test was performed to determine significance of the differences between mean values and between caudal and cranial CSF flows. Normal values of mean velocity, mean flux and peak velocity were defined by Q-flow technique. The highest values of CSF flow characteristics were observed in the Sylvian aqueduct and pontomedullaris cistern. Mean velocity and mean flux of caudal CSF flow had significantly higher values compared to the cranial CSF flow in all investigated structures.