Variations of intraventricular pressure during pneumoencephalography

1974 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Philippon ◽  
Bernard George ◽  
Jean Metzger

✓ Intraventricular pressure was studied in eight patients during and after diagnostic pneumoencephalography. In cases with normal initial pressure and normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics, variations in pressure were moderate, immediate, and disappeared at the end of the examination. In cases of normal-pressure hydrocephalus, there was a slow but relatively important elevation that continued for at least 24 hours. In cases with intracranial hypertension, there was a rapid significant increase; return to normal depended principally upon the flow from a large CSF compartment.

1979 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svend Erik Børgesen ◽  
Flemming Gjerris ◽  
Søren Claus Sørensen

✓ Forty patients with clinical evidence of normal-pressure hydrocephalus were studied by monitoring intraventricular pressure during a 24-hour period, and by a lumboventricular perfusion test for measurement of the conductance to outflow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The purpose of the study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between intraventricular pressure and conductance to outflow of CSF, and whether it is possible to use the results from pressure monitoring in the selection of patients who may be expected to benefit from shunting therapy. The conductance to outflow was used as an evaluation factor in the selection of patients to be treated by a shunt. The conductance to CSF outflow differed by twelvefold between the lowest and highest values. The level of resting intraventricular pressure was within normal limits in all patients. Accordingly, there was no evidence of a relationship between conductance to outflow and intraventricular pressure. So-called B-waves were seen more frequently in patients with decreased conductance to outflow, but were also present in patients with high conductance to outflow. Therefore, the presence of B-waves does not imply a low conductance to outflow of CSF.


1980 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tung Pui Poon ◽  
Edward J. Arida ◽  
Wolodymyr P. Tyschenko

✓ The authors report a case of cerebral cysticercosis which presented with generalized nonspecific neurological signs and symptoms attributed to acute aqueductal obstruction, with concomitant intracranial hypertension. These were characteristic intracranial calcifications along with angiographically demonstrated signs of hydrocephalus. Contrast encephalography clearly demonstrated aqueductal obstruction. Pathologically, the aqueductal obstruction was shown to be due to parasitic invasion of the brain stem with compression of the aqueduct. The presence of typical intracranial calcification in conjunction with either obstructive or normal-pressure hydrocephalus should alert the observer to the possibility of cerebral cysticercosis.


1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 742-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei I. Holodny ◽  
Ajax E. George ◽  
Mony J. de Leon ◽  
James Golomb ◽  
Andrew J. Kalnin ◽  
...  

Object. The authors describe a subgroup of patients with shunt-proven normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) who presented with focal fissural and sulcal dilation on imaging studies. The specific radiological features and methods of differentiating this condition from cortical atrophy are delineated. Methods. Normal-pressure hydrocephalus has been described as dilation of the ventricles that is out of proportion to the sulci. Sulcal dilation has been taken as evidence of cortical atrophy and has even been used as a criterion to exclude patients from undergoing a shunting procedure. The authors describe five cases of patients with shunt-proven NPH who presented with focal dilation of cortical fissures and sulci. In three of the cases, there was a paradoxical decrease in the size of the dilated fissures and sulci that paralleled the decrease in the size of the lateral ventricles following successful shunting. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that focal fissural and sulcal dilation may represent reservoirs of cerebrospinal fluid analogous to the ventricular system. Patients should not be denied a shunting procedure solely on the basis of focally dilated fissures of sulci.


1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 687-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnita J. W. Boon ◽  
Joseph T. J. Tans ◽  
Ernst J. Delwel ◽  
Saskia M. Egeler-Peerdeman ◽  
Patrick W. Hanlo ◽  
...  

✓ The authors examined whether measurement of resistance to outflow of cerebrospinal fluid (Rcsf) predicts outcome after shunting for patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). In four centers 101 patients (most of whom had idiopathic NPH) who fulfilled strict entry criteria underwent shunt placement irrespective of their level of Rcsf obtained by lumbar constant flow infusion. Gait disturbance and dementia were quantified by using an NPH scale and the patient's level of disability was assessed by using the modified Rankin scale (mRS). In addition the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination was performed. Patients were assessed prior to and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. Primary outcome measures were based on differences between the preoperative and last NPH scale scores and mRS grades. Improvement was defined as a change measuring at least 15% in the NPH scale score and at least one mRS grade. Intention-to-treat analysis of all patients at 1 year yielded improvement for 57% in NPH scale score and 59% in mRS grade. Efficacy analysis, excluding serious events and deaths that were unrelated to NPH, was performed for 95 patients. Improvement rose to 76% in NPH scale score and 69% in mRS grade. Six cut-off levels of Rcsf were related to improvement in NPH scale score using two-by-two tables. Positive predictive values were approximately 80% for an Rcsf of 10, 12, or 15 mm Hg/ml/minute, 92% for an Rcsf of 18 mm Hg/ml/minute, and 100% for an Rcsf of 24 mm Hg/ml/minute. Negative predictive values were low. More important was the highest likelihood ratio of 3.5 for an Rcsf of 18 mm Hg/ml/minute. Extensive comorbidity was a major prognostic factor. Measurement of Rcsf reliably predicts outcome if the limit for shunting is raised to 18 mm Hg/ml/minute. At lower Rcsf values the decision depends mainly on the extent to which clinical and computerized tomography findings are typical of NPH.


2005 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 831-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulio Maira ◽  
Carmelo Anile ◽  
Annunziato Mangiola

Object. The primary empty sella syndrome (ESS) represents a heterogeneous clinical picture characterized by endocrine disturbances and signs of intracranial hypertension. An increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) is proposed to be one of the involved pathogenetic factors. Methods. The series included 142 patients who were observed during a period of 20 years. All patients underwent an ICP and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics evaluation through the use of a lumbar constant-rate infusion test. Impairment of ICP and CSF dynamics was observed in 109 patients (76.8%). In 35 of the 36 patients affected by severe intracranial hypertension without rhinorrhea, improvement in adverse neurological symptoms was achieved after implanting a CSF shunt. Visual function, already seriously compromised before surgery, remained severely altered in one patient. In the group of 34 patients affected by rhinorrhea, CSF leakage was controlled using different surgical treatments: CSF shunt placement in 16 cases, surgical repair of the sellar floor in three, and both procedures in the remaining 13. Two patients refused any surgical treatment. Conclusions. The role of increased ICP in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of primary ESS has been confirmed. Adverse neurological signs and a CSF leak are correlated with an actual increase in ICP and are relieved after CSF shunt insertion. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is more common than generally thought. Its resolution can be achieved using a careful diagnostic protocol and sometimes may require different surgical procedures.


1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 510-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norihiko Tamaki ◽  
Tadaki Kusunoki ◽  
Toshimitsu Wakabayashi ◽  
Satoshi Matsumoto

✓ Cerebral hemodynamics in 31 patients with suspected normal-pressure hydrocephalus were studied by means of the xenon-133 (133Xe) inhalation method and on dynamic computerized tomography (CT) scanning. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is reduced in all patients with dementia. Hypoperfusion was noted in a frontal distribution in these patients compared with normal individuals. There was no difference in CBF patterns between patients with good and those with poor outcome. The CBF was increased following cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting in patients who responded to that procedure: increase in flow correlated with clinical improvement, frontal and temporal lobe CBF was most markedly increased, and the CBF pattern became normal. In contrast, CBF was decreased after shunt placement in patients who were considered to have suffered from degenerative dementia, as evidenced by non-response to shunting. Dynamic computerized tomography studies demonstrated that patients with a good outcome showed a postoperative reduction in mean transit time of contrast material, most prominent in the frontal and temporal gray matter, and slight in the deep frontal structures, but not in the major cerebral vessels. Patients with poor outcome after shunting, however, had an increase in transit time in all regions. This corresponded well with the results as determined by the 133Xe inhalation method.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin M. Greenberg ◽  
Michael A. Williams

Abstract OBJECTIVE Spinal catheters are often inserted for treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leaks; however, they have recently been recommended for elective cerebrospinal fluid drainage to identify patients with possible normal pressure hydrocephalus who are most likely to respond to shunt surgery. The rate of spinal catheter-associated meningitis with elective spinal catheter insertion is unknown. The objective was to determine the rate of infection and risk factors associated with elective spinal catheter insertion for evaluation of hydrocephalus and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). METHODS We retrospectively analyzed clinical and microbiological data and cerebrospinal fluid results of patients admitted during 60 consecutive months who had elective spinal catheter insertion for evaluation of normal pressure hydrocephalus or IIH. RESULTS A total of 461 spinal catheters were inserted in 454 patients, including 419 (90.9%) for treatment of hydrocephalus and 42 (9.1%) for IIH. The infection rate was 3.3% (15 out of 461 patients) for the entire cohort, 3.6% (15 out of 419 patients) for the hydrocephalus cohort, and 0% for the IIH cohort. There was one death (0.2%) in the hydrocephalus cohort. The infection rate was reduced and sustained at 1.8% for 225 catheters after the topical antiseptic was changed to chlorhexidine (two-sided Fisher's exact test; P = 0.114). CONCLUSION Although infection is the most serious complication of spinal catheter insertion for evaluation of hydrocephalus or IIH, the infection rate can be maintained below 2% with use of chlorhexidine topical antiseptic application, single-dose preprocedural antibiotic administration, and clinical surveillance of the patient. The benefit of cerebrospinal fluid drainage via spinal catheter for normal pressure hydrocephalus outweighs the risks associated with the procedure.


1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 1026-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Marmarou ◽  
Montasser A. Abd-Elfattah Foda ◽  
Kuniaki Bandoh ◽  
Masaaki Yoshihara ◽  
Takuji Yamamoto ◽  
...  

✓ Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics were correlated to the changes in ventricular size during the first 3 months posttrauma in patients with severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8, 75 patients) to distinguish between atrophy and hydrocephalus as the two possible causes of posttraumatic ventriculomegaly. Using the bolus injection technique, the baseline intracranial pressure (ICP), pressure volume index, and resistance for CSF absorption (R0) provided a threedimensional profile of CSF dynamics that was correlated with ventricular size and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 3, 6, and 12 months posttrauma. Patients were separated into five different groups based on changes in ventricular size, presence of atrophy, and CSF dynamics. Group 1 (normal group, 41.3%) demonstrated normal ventricular size and normal ICP. Group 2 (benign intracranial hypertension group, 14.7%) showed normal ventricular size and elevated ICP. Group × (atrophy group, 24%) displayed ventriculomegaly, normal ICP, and normal R0. Group 4 (normal-pressure hydrocephalus group, 9.3%) had ventriculomegaly, normal ICP, and high R0. Group 5 (high-pressure hydrocephalus group, 10.7%) showed ventriculomegaly and elevated ICP with or without high R0. The GOS score in the nonhydrocephalic groups (Groups 1, 2, and 3) was better than in the hydrocephalic groups (Groups 4 and 5). It is concluded from these results that 44% of head injury survivors may develop posttraumatic ventriculomegaly. Posttraumatic hydrocephalus, as identified by abnormal CSF dynamics, was diagnosed in 20% of survivors and their outcome was significantly worse. This study demonstrates the importance of using CSF dynamics as an aid in diagnosis of posttraumatic hydrocephalus and identifying those patients who may benefit from shunt placement.


1982 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 833-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bortoluzzi ◽  
Leonardo Di Lauro ◽  
Giovanni Marini

✓ A case of benign intracranial hypertension with polyradiculopathy and spinal pain is reported. Radioactive iodinated serum albumin (RISA) cisternography demonstrated the absence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow into the intracranial cisterns, and gave evidence of CSF absorption through the spinal arachnoid villi.


2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 855-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Poca ◽  
Maria Mataró ◽  
Maria Del Mar Matarín ◽  
Fuat Arikan ◽  
Carmen Junqué ◽  
...  

Object. Data from many studies have demonstrated that shunt insertion in patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is associated with high morbidity and a lack of significant improvement; however, the use of strict diagnostic and treatment protocols can improve the results of surgery in these patients. The primary aim in this prospective study was to analyze the results of shunt placement in 43 patients with idiopathic NPH. A secondary aim was to determine the relationship between several clinical and neuroimaging factors, and patient outcome after surgery. Methods. Thirty men and 13 women with a mean age of 71.1 ± 6.9 years participated in this study. All patients underwent clinical, neuropsychological, and radiological assessment before and 6 months after surgery. In all patients continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure was performed using a fiberoptic extradural sensor. In 31 patients cerebrospinal fluid dynamics were also determined. Eighty-six percent of patients showed clinical improvement after shunt insertion, 11.6% showed no change, and 2.3% exhibited some worsening. Gait improved in 81.4% of the patients, sphincter control in 69.8%, and cognitive dysfunction in 39.5%. There was no treatment-related death. Early or late postsurgical complications occurred in six patients (14%), although all of these complications were minor or were satisfactorily resolved. The complete clinical triad, cortical sulci size, and periventricular lucencies were related to outcome, whereas patient age, symptom duration, ventricular dilation, and the degree of presurgical dementia were unrelated to outcome. Conclusions. Given the correct diagnosis, shunt insertion can produce marked improvement in patients with idiopathic NPH syndrome, causing few deaths and few clinically relevant complications.


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