Fluid dynamics of the cerebral aqueduct.
Despite a multitude of theories describing the mechanics of the intracranial spaces in diseases such as hydrocephalus, little is known about the mechanics of normal CSF flow. A pressure difference is required to drive CSF flow. Knowing that the pressure difference driving fluid through the aqueduct is beyond the resolution of clinically used pressure transducers, a computational fluid dynamics program was used to analyze flow through an aqueduct shape. Flow through this duct was compared with that through a cylinder and through a double hourglass. Both steady and oscillating flows were tested, revealing that only 1.1 Pa of pressure is required to move CSF through the aqueduct. This suggests that normally less than 5% of the total resistance to CSF flow within the CSF pathways occurs in the aqueduct.
Jacobson
E E
EE
Department of Surgery, University of Sydney, Australia.
Fletcher
D F
DF
Morgan
M K
MK
Johnston
I H
IH
D002535:Cerebral Aqueduct / Q000502:physiology*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus