Study on the applicaton value of the PC-MRI on the cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in Chiari malformation type Ⅰ complicated with syringomyelia

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging(PC-MRI) in evaluating the change of dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) on the CSF dynamics in patients with Chiari malformation type Ⅰ(CMⅠ).

MethodsSixteen healthy volunteers and 17 CMⅠ and syringomyelia patients were divided into the control goup and CMⅠgroup, respectively.The region between canium and neck of CMⅠ group was detected using PC-MRI scans before and after 12 months of operation, and the control group was checked only once.The changes of CSF velocity and flow at the central segment of midbrain aqueduct, exit segment of the fourth ventricle and second cervical spine level were analyzed.

ResultsCompared with the control group, the peak flow velocity of CSF in each examined site in CMⅠ group increased(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), and the overall flow decreased(P < 0.01).After operation, the peak velocity of CSF in CMⅠ group slowed significantly down(P < 0.01), and the flow increased(P < 0.01).The differences of the peak flow velocity and flow of CSF between the central segment of midbrain aqueduct and second cervical spine level among different prognosis patients were statistically significant(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe improvement of CSF dynamics is related to the prognosis of patients.The application of PC-MRI in monitoring the dynamics of CSF is helpful to evaluate the prognosis of patients with CMⅠ complicated with syringomyelia.