Cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics in patients with multiple sclerosis: a phase contrast magnetic resonance study

Funct Neurol. 2011 Oct-Dec;26(4):215-22.

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics, which supposedly have a strong relationship with chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), might be expected to be affected in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In this study, CSF flow at the level of the cerebral aqueduct was evaluated quantitatively by phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) to determine whether CSF flow dynamics are affected in MS patients. We studied 40 MS patients and 40 healthy controls using PC-MRI. We found significantly higher caudocranial (p=0.010) and craniocaudal CSF flow volumes (p=0.015) and stroke volume (p=0.010) in the MS patients compared with the controls. These findings may support the venous occlusion theory, but may also be explained by atrophy-dependent ventricular dilatation independent of the venous theory in MS patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebral Veins / physiopathology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / physiology*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / physiopathology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / physiopathology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / physiopathology*
  • Stroke Volume / physiology
  • Venous Insufficiency / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Venous Insufficiency / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Contrast Media