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Abstract
Purpose
We aimed to evaluate the utility of two types of MR cisternography [fast spin echo sequence and steady-state coherent gradient echo (GRE) sequence] in addition to phase contrast-cine imaging (PC-cine), for assessing patency at the aqueduct and third ventriculostomy site.
Materials and Methods
43 patients (35 patients with suspected aqueductal stenosis and 8 patients with third ventriculostomy) were retrospectively analyzed. PC-cine, 3 dimensional sagittal fast spin echo sequence [driven-equilibrium imaging (DRIVE) or volumetric isotrophic T2-weighted acquisition (T2 VISTA)] and steady-state coherent fast GRE sequence (balanced turbo field echo; bTFE) imaging were performed in all patients. The patency of the aqueduct or third ventriculostomy site was scored. Some pitfalls of each sequence were also analyzed in individual cases.
Results
93% of all cases showed consistent scores in PC-cine, DRIVE/T2 VISTA, and bTFE imaging. DRIVE/T2 VISTA imaging provided functional information of cerebrospinal fluid flow with flow-related artifacts, while bTFE imaging allowed direct visualization of the aqueduct or ventriculostomy site. However, evaluation of anatomical structures was difficult in three cases with strong flow-related artifacts on DRIVE/T2 VISTA and in 2 cases with susceptibility artifacts on bTFE.
Figures and Tables
Fig. 1
A 47-year-old man with Chiari malformation.
A. Phase-contrast cine image shows active cerebrospinal fluid pulsation through the aqueduct (arrows).
B. Volumetric isotrophic T2-weighted acquisition image shows patent aqueduct and flow-related artifact within the patent aqueduct (arrows).
C. Balanced turbo field echo image shows patent aqueduct without flow-related artifact (arrow).
Fig. 2
A 54-year-old man with aqueductal stenosis.
A. Phase-contrast cine image shows faint cerebrospinal fluid pulsation through the aqueduct (arrows).
B, C. Both volumetric isotrophic T2-weighted acquisition (T2 VISTA) (B) and balanced turbo field echo (C) images show web-like lesion at the superior medullary velum of the 4th ventricle causing aqueductal stenosis (arrow). Also there is no flow-related artifact through the aqueduct on T2 VISTA image (B).
Fig. 3
A 65-year-old woman with a coil-embolized aneurysm at the top of the basilar artery. Phase-contrast cine image (A) shows coil-embolized giant aneurysm at the basilar tip (arrowheads) and no active cerebrospinal fluid pulsation through the aqueduct (arrow). Volumetric isotrophic T2-weighted acquisition image (B) also shows coil-embolized aneurysm causing aqueductal stenosis (arrow). However, the lumen of the aqueduct is obscured by coil-induced susceptibility artifact on balanced turbo field echo image (C).
Fig. 4
A 3-year-old boy with Dandy-Walker variant. Phase-contrast cine image (A) shows active cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation through the aqueduct (arrow). Volumetric isotrophic T2-weighted acquisition image (B) shows severe flow-related artifact through the aqueduct due to large amount of CSF flow, which obscures the normal contour of the aqueduct (arrow). Balanced turbo field echo image (C) shows slightly widened aqueduct and minimal flow-related artifact within the aqueduct (arrow).
Fig. 5
A 23-year-old man underwent the endoscopic third ventriculostomy for the aqueductal stenosis. Phase-contrast cine image (A) shows active cerebrospinal fluid pulsation through the ventriculostomy site in the 3rd ventricle floor (arrows). Volumetric isotrophic T2-weighted acquisition image (B) directly demonstrates the ventriculostomy site (arrows) and flow-related artifact through the ventriculostomy site. The ventriculostomy site is directly identified without flow-related artifact on balanced turbo field echo image (arrows) (C).
Fig. 6
A 10-month-old girl with endoscopic third ventriculostomy for the aqueductal stenosis. Phase-contrast cine image (A) shows active cerebrospinal fluid pulsation through the ventriculostomy site (arrow). Driven-equilibrium image (B) shows severe flow-related artifact in the 3rd ventricle and prepontine cistern area (arrows), which obscures the exact ventriculostomy site at the 3rd ventricle floor, whereas 3rd ventriculostomy site is localized with minimal linear flow-related artifact on balanced turbo field echo image (arrows) (C).
Table 1
Comparison of PC-Cine, T2 VISTA/DRIVE and bTFE Imaging Scores for Evaluation of Aqueductal Patency
*Y = years, M = months.
AC = arachnoid cyst, bTFE = balanced turbo field echo, DRIVE = driven-equilibrium imaging, ETV = endoscopic third ventriculostomy, NA = not assessed, PC-cine = phase contrast-cine imaging, T2 VISTA = volumetric isotrophic T2-weighted acquisition, VPS = ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Table 2
Comparison of PC-Cine, T2 VISTA/DRIVE and bTFE Imaging Scores for Evaluation of Patency at Ventriculostomy Site after Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy
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