Biomechanical modeling and Magnetic Resonance Imaging to investigate CSF flow physiology

Abstract

Nowadays Phase contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PC-MRI) is the only sensor able to measure in physiological conditions blood and cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) flow dynamics during cardiac cycle at different levels of the craniospinal system [1]. Combining modelling and in Vivo PC-MRI measurments of CSF Flow at the cervical Spinal (Qs) and Aqueduct of Sylvius (Qv) or Sub-Arachnoidal cerebral (Qc) levels makes it possible to compute Intracranial pressure (ICP) as well as get a deep insight into the LCS dynamical system. Inertia has been neglected in most of previous LCS models. Our simple model show that inertia plays a crucial role in particular in the optimal LCS flow amplitudes and phases.