Abstract #2267
Direct
Visualization and Quantitation of CSF Flow in Shunts
Noam
Alperin1,2, Sang H. Lee1, Leonardo Macedo3, Daniele
RigamontI4, Ari Blitz3
1University of Miami,
Miami, FL, United States; 2Radiology, University of Miami, United
States; 3Radiology, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD; 4Nuerosurgery,
Johns Hopkins, Baltimore,
MD
Diversion
of excessive CSF from hydrocephalic brains by shunting is, in many cases, a
life saving procedure. The down side of shunting is high failure rate.
Consequently, about 40% of the shunting procedures performed annually in the US
are for shunt replacement. The decision for shunt replacement is challenging
as there is no reliable noninvasive test for shunt function. We present the
first direct visualization and quantitation of CSF flow in ventricular shunts
using high temporal and spatial resolution cine phase contrast MR and
automated flow quantitation technique. Volumetric flow rate through in patent
shunts were on the order of the CSF production rate.
