Predictive Value of Flow MRI in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Surgery

Predictive Value of Flow MRI in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Surgery

The idea is to assess the predictive value of flow magnetic resonance imaging (flow MRI) for patient suffering normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) planned for surgery. By now, the depletive lumbar puncture is the best test assessing the efficacy of a forthcoming surgery. The idea is to demonstrate that flow MRI can be as effective as lumbar puncture in term of predictive value of surgery response.

In that way, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics are evaluated by a single non invasive examination. CSF flow is measured at the Sylvius' aqueduct, cervical, arachnoid space and 4th ventricle levels.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age: over 20 years
• diagnostic of normal pressure hydrocephalus
• ventricular dilation visible on radiological examination
• patients gave their written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• age: less than 20 years
• MRI contra-indication
• pregnancy
• lumbar puncture within 48 hours before MRI
• cardiac arrhythmia
• cerebral/lacunar stroke