METHODS OF MRMYELOGRAPHY TECHNICS IN THE ASSESSMENT OF CEREBRAL FLUID CIRCULATION DISORDERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to define possibilities of different MR myelography techniques in the assessment of cerebral fluid circulation disorders. Our study includes 34 patients who underwent noninvasive MR myelography. In 17 of these patients we also performed MR myelography with cardiac synchronization for the analysis and quantitative evaluation of CSF circulation parameters in patients with aqueductal stenosis and Arnold-Chiari malformation. In 2 patients with symptoms of intracranial hypotension and suspicion of liquorrhea we additionally performed limited-use invasive technique: contrast-enhanced MR myelography. MR myelography and MR cisternography techniques can effectively replace invasive visualization techniques of cerebrospinal fluid space. Phase contrast MRI can be useful in the evaluation of hydrocephalus grade and postoperative follow-up, for instance in patients with Arnold-Chiari malformation. Nowadays these methods become routine and are performed for all of the patients with appropriate CSF system pathology. The only challenge that sometimes require performing of contrast enhanced MR myelography (MR cisternography) is the need of CSF leak visualization in patients with rhinorrhea and otorrhea.