Abstract
Despite a multitude of theories describing the mechanics of the intracranial spaces in diseases such as hydrocephalus, little is known about the mechanics of normal CSF flow. A pressure difference is required to drive CSF flow. Knowing that the pressure difference driving fluid through the aqueduct is beyond the resolution of clinically used pressure transducers, a computational fluid dynamics program was used to analyze flow through an aqueduct shape. Flow through this duct was compared with that through a cylinder and through a double hourglass. Both steady and oscillating flows were tested, revealing that only 1.1 Pa of pressure is required to move CSF through the aqueduct. This suggests that normally less than 5% of the total resistance to CSF flow within the CSF pathways occurs in the aqueduct.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 229-236 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Pediatric Neurosurgery |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - May 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cerebral aqueduct
- Cerebrospinal fluid
- Flow, CSF
- Hydrocephalus
- Pressure