Hydrodynamics of Cerebrospinal Fluid in Spinal Canal With Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is has great potential as a tool for diagnosis of neurological diseases such as Chiari malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM). Its extended capability to obtain in-vivo velocities of blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) allowed engineers to perform studies with engineering analysis applications such as computational fluid dynamics and physical modeling. Recently, a new MR technique called balanced steady-state free procession (bSSFP) cine imaging was developed for analysis of geometrical changes during the cardiac cycle due to compliance [1]. This study used MRI utilities to investigate hydrodynamic environment of CSF in the sub-cranial subarachnoid space (SAS). A model was constructed to simulate fluid dynamics of CSF in SAS. This model will allow investigation of detailed pressure and velocity using laser Doppler anemometry and pressure transducers. The MRI data from patient, healthy volunteers, the flow model were compared.