Computer modelling of the cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics of aqueduct stenosis

As the craniospinal space is a pressure loaded system it is difficult to conceptualize and understand the flow dynamics through the ventricular system. Aqueduct stenosis compromises flow, increasing the pressure required to move cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the ventricles. Under normal circumst...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical & biological engineering & computing 1999, Vol.37 (1), p.59-63
Main Authors: JACOBSON, E. E, FLETCHER, D. F, MORGAN, M. K, JOHNSTON, I. H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure
Cerebrospinal fluid. Meninges. Spinal cord
Computational Biology
Computer Simulation
Fluid dynamics
Fluid Shifts
Humans
Hydrocephalus - physiopathology
Medical sciences
Models, Biological
Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes)
Neurology
Space life sciences
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Summary:As the craniospinal space is a pressure loaded system it is difficult to conceptualize and understand the flow dynamics through the ventricular system. Aqueduct stenosis compromises flow, increasing the pressure required to move cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the ventricles. Under normal circumstances, less than one pascal (1 Pa) of pressure is required to move a physiological flow of CSF through the aqueduct. This is too small to measure using clinical pressure transducers. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program, CFX, has been used to model two forms of aqueduct stenosis: simple narrowing and forking of the aqueduct. This study shows that with mild stenoses, the increase in pressure required to drive flow becomes significant (86-125 Pa), which may result in an increased transmantle pressure difference but not necessarily an increased intraventricular pressure. Severe stenoses will result in both. Wall shear stresses increase concomitantly and may contribute to local damage of the aqueduct wall and further gliosis with narrowing.
ISSN:0140-0118
1741-0444
DOI:10.1007/BF02513267