The predictor role of the aqueduct cerebrospinal fluid flow on endoscopic third ventriculostomy: explication on assumption physical model

is used to evaluate the patency of ventriculostomy after ETV (1,14,16).Thus, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ETV in patients with hydrocephalus caused by aqueductal stenosis, by measuring and comparing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the aqueductus sylvii and prepontine cistern.We also validated improvement in aqueductal flow after successful ETV in the assumption physical model.█ INTRODUCTION E ndoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for the management of hydrocephalus has been becoming more popular because it is minimally invasive and does not involve the usual complications of shunt implantation (4,14,16,18).Cine-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that AIM: To evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics in the aqueductus sylvii of patients with obstructive hydrocephalus who underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and to predict ventriculostomy patency via aqueduct flow measurements. MATERIAL and METHODS:Twenty-four patients with obstructive hydrocephalus caused by primary aqueduct stenosis who underwent ETV were included in the study.All the patients underwent conventional and cine magnetic resonance imaging before and after treatment.The flow of CSF in the aqueduct of Sylvius and prepontine cistern was assessed, and the diameter of the third ventricle was also measured.Increase in the aqueduct flow velocity after a successful ETV was supported by the assumption physical model that highlights a possible mechanism that explains the clinical findings. RESULTS:The flow pattern and velocity in the prepontine cistern and aqueduct were normal in 17 out of 24 patients who responded to ETV clinically.However, seven patients who did not respond to ETV had an abnormal flow pattern in both the prepontine cistern and aqueduct. CONCLUSION:The flow pattern in the aqueduct was normalised and velocity was increased compared with those of preoperative values after a successful ETV.The flow of CSF in the prepontine cistern is routinely used for ventriculostomy patency assessment.In addition, aqueduct measurements may be useful in predicting ventriculostomy patency.The physical model provides valuable insights on a possible mechanism that affected the experimental data.