Visualization of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics using multi-spin echo acquisition cine imaging (MUSACI)

Purpose: To evaluate the visualization of CSF dynamics using the novel method multi-spin echo acquisition cine imaging (MUSACI). Methods: MUSACI is based on multi-echo volume isotropic turbo spin-echo acquisition (VISTA) with pulse gating. MUSACI images were acquired in 11 healthy volunteers (7 men, 4 women; age range, 24–46 y, mean age, 31.9 ± 5.51 y). We compared the CSF signal intensities (SIs) at multiple values of the effective echo time (TE_eff) at the lateral ventricle, the foramen of Monro, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle. We compared the CSF SI changes in MUSACI at multiple TE_eff and the mean velocities in phase contrast (PC) at each trigger delay at the foramen of Monro, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle. Results: The anterograde CSF motion from the aqueduct to the fourth ventricle, the retrograde motion from the aqueduct to the third ventricle, and the retrograde motion from the foramen of Monro to the lateral ventricle were observed with MUSACI. The CSF SIs at each TE_eff in the foramen of Monro, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle were significantly lower than that at each TE_eff in the lateral ventricle (P < 0.05). The CSF SI in MUSACI changed with the TE_eff, and the CSF movements were observed at each trigger delay in PC. Conclusion: MUSACI can provide both high-resolution anatomical detail of the CSF passageways and physiologic information regarding CSF dynamics in a single scan.