Computed tomography and dynamic cerebrospinal fluid studies in the evaluation of extracerebral fluid collections in infants with hydrocephalus.
Infants presenting with an increasing head circumference were subjected to computed tomography (CT). A sub-group of 15 were identified in whom the CT scan disclosed varying degrees of ventricular enlargement together with bilateral extracerebral fluid collections. A method is described and illustrated for determining in which compartment the fluid lies. In most of the infants, non-ionic water-soluble contrast medium was injected intrathecally via lumbar puncture and directed intracranially by gravity. Subsequent CT scans monitored the passage of contrast through the subarachnoid spaces of the brain from which it was possible to determine whether there was any communication between them and the extracerebral fluid. In the remaining children, contrast medium was injected directly into the extracerebral fluid and CT was again used to demonstrate any communication between this fluid and the basal cisterns.
Turnbull
I W
IW
Department of Radiology, North Manchester General Hospital, England.
D014695:Cerebral Ventriculography; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007223:Infant; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed