Detection of CSF flow in the ventriculo-Peritoneal shunt using MRI.
OBJECTIVE
A noninvasive test for shunt function would be beneficial in the management of patients with CSF shunting. We present our method to diagnose shunt function using MRI.


METHODS
We performed two experiments. In the first we simultaneously performed MRI of two tubes, one with water flowing inside at various flow speeds and the other with static water inside, and compared the signal intensity inside each lumen. In the second we took four MR images of the actual shunt tubes in three patients at different states of shunt function, each having a tube containing static water pasted side by side with the actual subcutaneous shunt tube.


RESULTS
In the first experiment we could detect the enhancement effect of slow flow. The minimal detectable flow speed using this method was approximately 1.7 ml/h. The result obtained in actual patients matched the clinical status of the shunt function.


CONCLUSIONS
This method would be useful as a qualitative test for shunt function.
Chang
H S
HS
Department of Neurosurgery, Suwa Central Hospital, Nagano, Japan.
D000328:Adult; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012212:Rheology; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt