Magnetic resonance imaging analysis of extremely slow flow in a model shunt system |
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Authors: | Edmund Frank Michael Buonocore Larry Hein |
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Affiliation: | (1) Division of Neurosurgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, 97201 Portland, OR, USA;(2) Department of Radiology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA;(3) Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA |
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Abstract: | Shunt malfunction is common and its diagnosis may require invasive testing that may be inaccurate or result in complications. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may prove to be a useful noninvasive test of shunt function as it has been shown that MRI is capable of measuring cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows from 2 ml/h to 40 ml/h in model systems. Since flows in functioning shunt systems can be less than 2 ml/h, MRI must be sensitive enough to detect flow in this range in order to be a valid test for shunt function. Continuing previous studies, we have studied MRI flow-related enhancement at flow rates from 0 to 2 ml/h. Multiple spin echo scans (TR2000, TE20) were made through a specialized section of tubing in a model shunt system. The intensity of the MRI signal at points known to demonstrate maximal flow-related enhancement was measured. A linear relationship was demonstrated between signal intensity and flow as low as 0.8 ml/h. These results add support to the concept that MRI is sensitive enough to detect the lowest flows present in functioning shunt systems and therefore may be useful as a noninvasive test of shunt function. |
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Keywords: | Magnetic resonance imaging Shunt malfunction Cerebrospinal fluid shunt Cerebrospinal fluid |
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