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. 2022 Jul-Aug;55(4):225-230.
doi: 10.1590/0100-3984.2021.0120.

Cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics in healthy pediatric subjects

Karen Sousa Plata  1 , Gerardo Cruz  1 , Hector Lezcano  2
Affiliations

Cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics in healthy pediatric subjects

Karen Sousa Plata et al. Radiol Bras. 2022 Jul-Aug.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, using cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (cine-PC MRI), in healthy pediatric subjects, determining the normal flow values in this population, as well as identifying differences related to age, sex, and body surface area.

Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 32 healthy children and adolescents, in whom the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the cerebral aqueduct was evaluated quantitatively with cine-PC MRI. We used specialized software to analyze the images obtained with cine-PC MRI, drawing a region of interest on the aqueduct. A flow-time curve was obtained, as were automated measurements of the various parameters.

Results: The following normal (mean) values were obtained: net flow, 1.10 ± 0.99 mL/m; stroke volume, 12.2 ± 10.1 µL/cycle; mean velocity, 0.72 ± 1.00 cm/s; peak systolic velocity, 5.28 ± 2.30 cm/s; peak diastolic velocity, 4.51 ± 1.77 cm/s. These values were not affected by age or sex. In addition, body surface area was not found to correlate significantly with mean velocity or stroke volume.

Conclusion: In children and adolescents, the basic cerebrospinal fluid flow parameters, as determined by cine-PC MRI, appear to be independent of age and sex.

Objetivo: Avaliar a dinâmica do fluxo do líquido cerebrospinal por cine-ressonância magnética com contraste de fase em crianças saudáveis, para determinar os valores normais de fluxo nesta população, bem como a diferença entre medições distintas de acordo com idade, sexo ou área da superfície corporal.

Materiais e métodos: Convocamos 32 crianças saudáveis em uma análise descritiva de prevalência para a avaliação quantitativa do fluxo do líquido cerebrospinal pelo aqueduto de Sylvius. A análise foi realizada por meio de software especializado, desenhando uma região de interesse no aqueduto. Uma curva de fluxo-tempo e medições automáticas de diversos parâmetros foram obtidas.

Resultados: Os seguintes valores normais foram obtidos: fluxo efetivo de 1,10 ± 0,99 mL/m; volume médio de 12,2 ± 10,1 µL/ciclo; velocidade média de 0,72 ± 1,00 cm/s; pico de velocidade sistólica de 5,28 ± 2,30 cm/s; pico de velocidade diastólica de 4,51 ± 1,77 cm/s. Esses valores não foram afetados pela idade ou sexo das crianças. Além disso, não foi encontrada correlação significativa entre a área corporal, a velocidade média e o volume sistólico.

Conclusão: De modo geral, os parâmetros básicos do fluxo do líquido cerebrospinal independem de idade e sexo em crianças.

Keywords: Cerebral aqueduct; Cerebrospinal fluid; Hydrodynamics; Magnetic resonance imaging; cine.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Qualitative sagittal cine-PC MRI sequences acquired during systole (A) and diastole (B) at the level of the cerebral aqueduct (arrows).
Figure 2
Figure 2
A: Magnified quantitative axial cine-PC MRI sequence at the level of the cerebral aqueduct (arrow). B: Region of interest over the cerebral aqueduct (red). Background subtraction area (fuchsia). C: Flow-time curve obtained during a cardiac cycle.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlation between BSA and CSF stroke volume (ρ = -0.076; p = 0.67).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation between BSA and CSF mean velocity (r = -0.079; p = 0.67).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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