Abstract
Syringomyelia is a neurological disorder characterised by high pressure fluid-filled cysts within the spinal cord. As syringomyelia is associated with abnormalities of the central nervous system that obstruct cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, it is thought that changes in CSF dynamics play an important role in its pathogenesis. Using three-dimensional computational models of the spinal subarachnoid space (SAS), this study aims to determine SAS obstructions, such as arachnoiditis, change in CSF dynamics in the SAS. The geometry of the SAS was reconstructed from a series of MRI images. CSF is modelled as an incompressible Newtonian fluid with a dynamic viscosity of 1. mPa. s. Three computational models simulated CSF flow in either the unobstructed SAS, or with the SAS obstructed by a porous region simulating dorsal or circumferential arachnoiditis. The permeability of this porous obstruction was varied for the model with dorsal arachnoiditis. The results show that arachnoiditis increases flow resistance in the SAS and this is accompanied by a modest increase in magnitude and/or shift in timing (with respect to the cardiac cycle) of the CSF pressure drop across the region of arachnoiditis. This study suggests that syrinx formation may be related to a change in temporal CSF pulse pressure dynamics.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1186-1191 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Biomechanics |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Apr 2012 |
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The presence of arachnoiditis affects the characteristics of CSF flow in the spinal subarachnoid space : A modelling study. / Cheng, Shaokoon; Stoodley, Marcus A.; Wong, Johnny; Hemley, Sarah; Fletcher, David F.; Bilston, Lynne E.
In: Journal of Biomechanics, Vol. 45, No. 7, 30.04.2012, p. 1186-1191.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - The presence of arachnoiditis affects the characteristics of CSF flow in the spinal subarachnoid space
T2 - Journal of Biomechanics
AU - Cheng, Shaokoon
AU - Stoodley, Marcus A.
AU - Wong, Johnny
AU - Hemley, Sarah
AU - Fletcher, David F.
AU - Bilston, Lynne E.
PY - 2012/4/30
Y1 - 2012/4/30
N2 - Syringomyelia is a neurological disorder characterised by high pressure fluid-filled cysts within the spinal cord. As syringomyelia is associated with abnormalities of the central nervous system that obstruct cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, it is thought that changes in CSF dynamics play an important role in its pathogenesis. Using three-dimensional computational models of the spinal subarachnoid space (SAS), this study aims to determine SAS obstructions, such as arachnoiditis, change in CSF dynamics in the SAS. The geometry of the SAS was reconstructed from a series of MRI images. CSF is modelled as an incompressible Newtonian fluid with a dynamic viscosity of 1. mPa. s. Three computational models simulated CSF flow in either the unobstructed SAS, or with the SAS obstructed by a porous region simulating dorsal or circumferential arachnoiditis. The permeability of this porous obstruction was varied for the model with dorsal arachnoiditis. The results show that arachnoiditis increases flow resistance in the SAS and this is accompanied by a modest increase in magnitude and/or shift in timing (with respect to the cardiac cycle) of the CSF pressure drop across the region of arachnoiditis. This study suggests that syrinx formation may be related to a change in temporal CSF pulse pressure dynamics.
AB - Syringomyelia is a neurological disorder characterised by high pressure fluid-filled cysts within the spinal cord. As syringomyelia is associated with abnormalities of the central nervous system that obstruct cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, it is thought that changes in CSF dynamics play an important role in its pathogenesis. Using three-dimensional computational models of the spinal subarachnoid space (SAS), this study aims to determine SAS obstructions, such as arachnoiditis, change in CSF dynamics in the SAS. The geometry of the SAS was reconstructed from a series of MRI images. CSF is modelled as an incompressible Newtonian fluid with a dynamic viscosity of 1. mPa. s. Three computational models simulated CSF flow in either the unobstructed SAS, or with the SAS obstructed by a porous region simulating dorsal or circumferential arachnoiditis. The permeability of this porous obstruction was varied for the model with dorsal arachnoiditis. The results show that arachnoiditis increases flow resistance in the SAS and this is accompanied by a modest increase in magnitude and/or shift in timing (with respect to the cardiac cycle) of the CSF pressure drop across the region of arachnoiditis. This study suggests that syrinx formation may be related to a change in temporal CSF pulse pressure dynamics.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84859569413&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.01.050
DO - 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.01.050
M3 - Article
VL - 45
SP - 1186
EP - 1191
JO - Journal of Biomechanics
JF - Journal of Biomechanics
SN - 0021-9290
IS - 7
ER -