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. 2021 Jan;22(1):e2.
doi: 10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e2.

Cerebrospinal fluid flow in normal beagle dogs analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging

Hyunju Cho  1 , Yejin Kim  1 , Saebyel Hong  1 , Hojung Choi  2
Affiliations

Cerebrospinal fluid flow in normal beagle dogs analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging

Hyunju Cho et al. J Vet Sci. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Diseases related to cerebrospinal fluid flow, such as hydrocephalus, syringomyelia, and Chiari malformation, are often found in small dogs. Although studies in human medicine have revealed a correlation with cerebrospinal fluid flow in these diseases by magnetic resonance imaging, there is little information and no standard data for normal dogs.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to obtain cerebrospinal fluid flow velocity data from the cerebral aqueduct and subarachnoid space at the foramen magnum in healthy beagle dogs.

Methods: Six healthy beagle dogs were used in this experimental study. The dogs underwent phase-contrast and time-spatial labeling inversion pulse magnetic resonance imaging. Flow rate variations in the cerebrospinal fluid were observed using sagittal time-spatial labeling inversion pulse images. The pattern and velocity of cerebrospinal fluid flow were assessed using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging within the subarachnoid space at the foramen magnum level and the cerebral aqueduct.

Results: In the ventral aspect of the subarachnoid space and cerebral aqueduct, the cerebrospinal fluid was characterized by a bidirectional flow throughout the cardiac cycle. The mean ± SD peak velocities through the ventral and dorsal aspects of the subarachnoid space and the cerebral aqueduct were 1.39 ± 0.13, 0.32 ± 0.12, and 0.76 ± 0.43 cm/s, respectively.

Conclusions: Noninvasive visualization of cerebrospinal fluid flow movement with magnetic resonance imaging was feasible, and a reference dataset of cerebrospinal fluid flow peak velocities was obtained through the cervical subarachnoid space and cerebral aqueduct in healthy dogs.

Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid; dogs; magnetic resonance imaging.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. A sagittal T2W image showing the cerebral aqueduct level (solid line) and foramen magnum level (dashed line) (A). Time-SLIP sagittal plane images and PC-MR transverse plane images at the cerebral aqueduct (B,C) and foramen magnum level (D,E). As shown in the (C and E), measurements are made in 3 ROIs; cerebral aqueduct and the dorsal and ventral aspects of the SAS.
T2W, T2 weighted; Time-SLIP, time-spatial labeling inversion pulse; PC, phase-contrast; MR, magnetic resonance; ROIs, regions of interest; SAS, subarachnoid spaces.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Sagittal Time-SLIP MR images after a transverse labeling pulse show the contrast difference between tagged and untagged CSF at various TIs. The image is converted to color to maximize the expression of light and shade. Scale bar of primary images (A) and converted images (B). Labeled CSF in the cervical arachnoid space (C) and cerebral aqueduct (D) enters the caudal SAS and 4th ventricle. The red and green areas, indicating tagged CSF, increase in the dorsal SAS and cerebral aqueduct (arrows). In addition, in the ventral SAS, the green areas are seen extending backwards (arrow heads).
Time-SLIP, time-spatial labeling inversion pulse; MR, magnetic resonance; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; TI, inversion time; SAS, subarachnoid spaces.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. CSF flow waveforms of 6 dogs in three ROIs. The positive deflections represent craniocaudal flow and the negative deflections represent caudocranial flow.
FM, foramen magnum; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; ROIs, regions of interest.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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