The efficiency of PC-MRI in diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus and prediction of shunt response.
OBJECTIVE
In this prospective study, we aimed to reveal the efficiency of phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) in the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) and prediction of shunt response.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 43 patients with INPH diagnosis and 15 asymptomatic age-matched controls. PC-MRI studies were applied on cerebral aqueduct and superior sagittal sinus (SSS) in all the cases.


RESULTS
The maximum and mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow velocities were significantly higher in the INPH patients compared with the controls (P < .05). CSF stroke volume (43.2 + or - 63.8 microL) and output/min (3921 + or - 5668 microL) were remarkably higher in the NPH group compared with the control group (3.9 + or - 3.9 microL, 439 + or - 487 microL, respectively) (P < .05). Maximum and mean venous velocity values of the INPH patients (maximum, 19.2 + or - 4.3 cm/s; mean, 16 + or - 3.7 cm/s), were lower than those of the control group (maximum, 21.8 + or - 4.6 cm/s; mean, 18.9 + or - 3.9 cm/s) (P < .05). Stroke volume and venous output/min values of INPH patients in SSS, were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < .001, P = .007, respectively). The response of INPH patients against shunt treatment showed no statistical correlation with any of the PC-MRI parameters (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of CSF venous flow velocities with PC-MRI is a noninvasive test that benefits INPH diagnosis, but remains inadequate in prediction of response against shunt treatment.
Algin
Oktay
O
Department of Radiology, Uludag University Medical Faculty, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey. droktayalgin@gmail.com
Hakyemez
Bahattin
B
Parlak
Mufit
M
D000368:Aged; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome