The contribution of 3D-CISS and contrast-enhanced MR cisternography in detecting cerebrospinal fluid leak in patients with rhinorrhoea

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2010-03

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British Inst Radiology

Abstract

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the value of unenhanced (three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state (3D-CISS)) and contrast-enhanced MR cisternography (CE-MRC) in detecting the localisation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in patients with rhinorrhoea. 17 patients with active or suspected CSF rhinorrhoea were included in the study. 3D-CISS sequences in coronal and sagittal planes and fat-suppressed T-1-weighted spin-echo sequences in three planes before and after intrathecal contrast media adminstration were obtained. Images were obtained of the cribriform plate and sphenoid sinus. In addition, high-resolution CT (HRCT) was performed in order to evaluate the bony elements. The leak was present in 9/17 patients with 3D-CISS and 10/17 patients with CE-MRC. The leak from the cribriform plate to the nasal cavity in six patients and from the sphenoid sinus in four patients was nicely shown by CE-MRC. Eight of those patients were surgically treated, but spontaneous regression of the symptoms in two precluded any intervention. The leak localisations shown with CE-MRC were fully compatible with surgical results. The sensitivities of HRCT, 3D-CISS and CE-MRC for showing CSF leakage were 88%, 76% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, 3D-CISS is a non-invasive and reliable technique, and should be the first-choice method to localise CSF leak. CE-MRC is helpful in conditions when there is no leak or in complicated cases with a positive beta 2-transferrin measurement.

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Keywords

High-resolution ct, Magnetic-resonance cisternography, Csf leaks, Diagnosis, Radiology, nuclear medicine & medical imaging

Citation

Algın, O. vd. (2010). "The contribution of 3D-CISS and contrast-enhanced MR cisternography in detecting cerebrospinal fluid leak in patients with rhinorrhoea". British Journal of Radiology, 83(987), 225-232.