Measuring CSF Flow in Chiari I Malformations

Cardiac-gated Phase Contrast MR (PC MR) is used in the evaluation of the Chiari I malformation to assess the CSF flow though the foramen magnum. Images may show reduced CSF flow posterior to the spinal cord in patients with a Chiari I malformation. MR images however do not differentiate with sufficient accuracy between symptomatic and asymptomatic Chiari I malformations. In the presence of the Chiari I malformation, CSF velocities are elevated. Measuring the velocity of flow and determining the degree of inhomogeneity in CSF flow aid in the detection of clinically significant flow abnormalities.

[1]  Baxter P Rogers,et al.  Application of image registration to measurement of intervertebral rotation in the lumbar spine , 2002, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[2]  C. Boesch,et al.  Quantitative MR imaging of lumbar intervertebral disks and vertebral bodies: influence of diurnal water content variations. , 1993, Radiology.

[3]  V. Haughton,et al.  Axial rotation of the lumbar spinal motion segments correlated with concordant pain on discography: a preliminary study. , 2006, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[4]  R. Kreis,et al.  Tissue characterization of symptomatic and asymptomatic disc herniations by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging , 1997, Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.

[5]  V. Haughton,et al.  Effect of axial loading on neural foramina and nerve roots in the lumbar spine. , 1990, Radiology.

[6]  C. Pfirrmann,et al.  Magnetic Resonance Classification of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration , 2001, Spine.

[7]  A. Nachemson,et al.  Correlation between lactate levels and pH in discs of patients with lumbar rhizopathies , 1968, Experientia.

[8]  L. Riley,et al.  Occult lumbar lateral spinal stenosis in neural foramina subjected to physiologic loading. , 1996, AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology.

[9]  V. Haughton,et al.  The etiology of focal spinal arachnoiditis. An experimental study. , 1993, Spine.

[10]  U. Fernstrom.  A discographical study of ruptured lumbar intervertebral discs. , 1960, Acta chirurgica Scandinavica. Supplementum.

[11]  S. A. Shirazi-Adl,et al.  Nutrient supply and intervertebral disc metabolism. , 2006, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[12]  L. Pitts,et al.  Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of nimodipine-treated acute experimental focal cerebral ischemia. , 1986, Acta radiologica. Supplementum.

[13]  K. Schellhas,et al.  Lumbar Disc High‐intensity Zone: Correlation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Discography , 1996, Spine.

[14]  G. Selvik,et al.  A Roentgen Stereophotogrammetric System , 1983, Acta radiologica: diagnosis.

[15]  D. J. Prendergast,et al.  Quantitative analysis of intervertebral disc structure. , 1986, Acta radiologica. Supplementum.

[16]  K. Tamai,et al.  Diagnosis of Symptomatic Disc by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: T2-Weighted and Gadolinium-DTPA-Enhanced T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging , 2002, Journal of spinal disorders & techniques.

[17]  Barry W. McDonald,et al.  Agreement between diagnoses reached by clinical examination and available reference standards: a prospective study of 216 patients with lumbopelvic pain , 2005, BMC musculoskeletal disorders.

[18]  J. S. Barr,et al.  Rupture of the Intervertebral Disc with Involvement of the Spinal Canal , 1934 .

[19]  H. V. Crock.  The Presidential Address: ISSLS: Internal Disc Disruption A Challenge to Disc Prolapse Fifty Years On , 1986, Spine.

[20]  V. Haughton,et al.  Measuring the axial rotation of lumbar vertebrae in vivo with MR imaging. , 2002, AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology.

[21]  Xiaobing Fu,et al.  Possible Pathogenesis of Painful Intervertebral Disc Degeneration , 2006, Spine.