Cerebrospinal fluid pressure measurements and radioisotope cisternography in dogs

Cerebrospinal fluid pressure measurements and radioisotope cisternograms were made in 16 mongrel random-source dogs (beagle breed excluded) as a screening technique in developing an experimental animal model for communicating hydrocephalus. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure measurements were made by puncturing the cisterna magna with a spinal needle through which the radiopharmaceutical was also subsequently injected. The mean cerebrospinal fluid pressure was 117 mm water, and the incidence of hydrocephalus was found to be rare. Cisternographic flow patterns also indicate that cerebrospinal fluid flow and absorption in dogs differs from that found in man.