Keywords:
CNS, Neuroradiology brain, MR, Experimental, MR-Functional imaging, Experimental investigations, Imaging sequences, Technical aspects, Cerebrospinal fluid, Haemodynamics / Flow dynamics, Obstruction / Occlusion
Authors:
A. Najafi1, T. D. J. Sartoretti2, C. A. Binkert1, S. Sartoretti-Schefer1, M. Wyss2; 1Winterthur/CH, 2Zürich/CH
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-1577
Conclusion
CSF flow measurements have not been used extensively because reference values are highly dependent on MR hardware,
sequence parameters,
post-processing and patient population.
Our research quantified the degree of influence of various sequence parameters,
slice placement and ROI diameter on the obtained flow values.
In addition,
we showed that by keeping these variables constant reliable results can be obtained.
A limitation of our study is the non-pulsatile phantom model.
Pulsatile flow in patients may lead to larger deviations of flow parameters.
In addition,
acquisition time is limited in clinical practice,
where a trade-off between best possible sequence parameters and acceptable acquisition time is required.
However,
once established,
reliable values can be obtained if the listed variables are kept constant.
For interpretation the results should be best compared with normal values collected at one’s own institute.
A comparison with literature data is only possible to a limited extent due to a large number of other variables (MR device,
field strength,
MR sequence,
evaluation software,
etc.) (5,
6).
The age and gender of the patients have a decisive influence on the flow values and should be taken into account in the interpretation of the results (4).