Cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism in infants with hydrocephalus

In this study, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (rCMRO₂) were measured using positron emission tomography (PET) with oxygen-15 radiopharmaceuticals to clarify the pathophysiology of ventriculomegaly in the developing brain. Four hydrocephalic infants without severe neurological deficit were studied. Hypoperfusion was observed in the frontal, parietal, and visual association cortices which surrounded dilated anterior or posterior horns of the lateral ventricle. Lower rCMRO₂ values than adult rates were observed in all cases. In the infants with markedly enlarged anterior or posterior horns, the surrounding cortices showed relatively lower rCMRO₂ values with the fall of rCBF. Postoperative studies were performed in two infants. rCMRO₂ increased in every region after ventriculoperitoneal shunting, but little change was observed in rCBF. These results indicate that metabolic deterioration occurs in the developing brain with hydrocephalus.