title: Clinical studies of cranial and spinal compliance and the craniospinal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
abstract: The cranial compartment contributed 37% and the spinal compartment 63% to the total compliance of the craniospinal space in the horizontal body position. In the erect position the values were almost reversed, the cranial compartment contributing 66% and the spinal compartment 34%. The total compliance was almost unaffected by body position. The pulsatile volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) moving between the cranial and spinal compartments was about 1 ml in the horizontal position. The corresponding pulsatile change in cerebral blood volume was calculated to be 1.6 ml. A craniospinal block increased the intracranial pressure amplitude by 110% in the horizontal position. The volume of CSF moving between the cranial and spinal compartments when sitting up and lying down, was about 3 ml. The pulsatile and postural flow rate of CSF may reach about 200 ml/min. High CSF flow velocity may impair the protective coating of CSF around the brain and thus contribute to herniation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Norway.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Magnaes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*