Indian Journal of Neurosurgery 2016; 05(01): 044-046
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1572367
Techniques in Neurosurgery
Neurological Surgeons' Society of India

Susceptibility Weighted Imaging: A Novel Method to Determine the Etiology of Aqueduct Stenosis

Chanabasappa Chavadi
1   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India
,
Keerthiraj Bele
1   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India
,
Anand Venugopal
1   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India
,
Santosh Rai
1   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

08 April 2015

18 November 2015

Publication Date:
19 February 2016 (online)

Abstract

The stenosis of aqueduct of Sylvius (AS) is a very common cause of obstruction to cerebrospinal fluid. Multiple etiologies are proposed for this condition. Because treatment is specific for correctable disorder, assessment of etiology gains importance. A case of pediatric hydrocephalus was diagnosed with stenosis of AS on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) demonstrated blooming in the distal aqueduct and lateral ventricle, which was not seen on routine MRI sequences. The findings suggest that old hemorrhage is a cause of chemical arachnoiditis and adhesions causing aqueduct stenosis and hydrocephalus. To our knowledge literature is very scarce, wherein SWI is being used to confirm blood products as a cause of aqueduct stenosis; hence SWI should be routine protocol in imaging of pediatric hydrocephalus. Etiology, clinical presentation, role of imaging, and, in particular, SWI in evaluation of aqueductal stenosis is discussed.

 
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