Investigation of ventricular cerebrospinal fluid flow phase differences between the foramina of Monro and the aqueduct of Sylvius

Abstract

In this paper, phase contrast magnetic resonance flow measurements of the foramina of Monro and the aqueduct of Sylvius of seven healthy volunteers are presented. Peak volume flow rates are of the order of 150 mm3/s for the aqueduct of Sylvius and for the foramina of Monro. The temporal shift between these volume flows is analyzed with a high-resolution cross-correlation scheme which reveals high subject-specific phase differences. Repeated measurements show the invariability of the phase differences over time for each volunteer. The phase differences as a fraction of one period range from -0.0537 to 0.0820. A mathematical model of the pressure dynamics is presented. The model features one lumped compartment per ventricle. The driving force of the cerebrospinal fluid is modeled through pulsating choroid plexus. The model includes variations of the distribution of the choroid plexus between the ventricles. The proposed model is able to reproduce the measured phase differences with a very small (5%) variation of the distribution of the choroid plexus between the ventricles and, therefore, supports the theory that the choroid plexus drives the cerebrospinal fluid motion.