Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics in Patients with Pseudotumor Cerebri

Abstract

CSF dynamics were determined as a function of intracranial pressure in patients with pseudotumor cerebri. Servocontrolled variable rate lumbar infusions were used to determine net CSF-absorptive capacities and resting pressures in 10 patients; serial studies were done in 5 of the patients. Nearly all of the patients had abnormally low CSF-absorptive capacities. On the other hand, marked elevations in resting pressure were not a constant feature of the disease. Concurrent changes in the cerebrovascular bed could introduce errors into this manometric determination of CSF dynamics; the significance of this potential artifact is examined. The results of this study suggest that the CSF compartment may be of etiological importance in the pathophysiology of pseudotumor cerebri.

Cerebral blood flow, Cerebral blood volume, Cerebrospinal fluid, Intracranial pressure, Papilledema, Pseudotumor cerebri