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Neurology India
Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India
ISSN: 0028-3886 EISSN: 1998-4022
Vol. 58, Num. 3, 2010, pp. 339-340

Neurology India, Vol. 58, No. 3, May-June, 2010, pp. 339-340

Editorial

Another small step toward understanding hydrocephalus

University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Emeritus Medical Director, Pediatric Neurosciences, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, 83. W. Columbia St. Orlando, FL - 32806, USA
Correspondence Address: Jogi V Pattisapu, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Emeritus Medical Director, Pediatric Neurosciences, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, 83. W. Columbia St Orlando, FL - 32806, USA, jogip@mail.ucf.edu

Date of Acceptance: 17-Jun-2010

Code Number: ni10094

PMID: 20644258
DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.65527

I congratulate the authors on a well-executed study of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) absorption in a canine model of kaolin-induced hydrocephalus using tritiated H20 absorption into the bloodstream in acute and chronic phases of the condition. [1] It was refreshing to correlate newer findings with our age-old understanding of CSF circulation in mammals.

This experiment studied the presumed absorption of CSF via the arachnoid villi, while the major nasal output pathway was surgically blocked. [1] Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed hydrocephalus after suboccipital kaolin injection, and 1 ml tritiated H20 was injected into the subarachnoid spaces at 3 days, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks to assess its concentration in blood up to 48 h afterward. Interestingly, the chronic condition seemed to have the most effect, at least early (<16 h postinjection), whereas less CSF flow is suggested during the earlier stages. This interesting finding raises questions of primary CSF absorption via the arachnoid villi, in the acute conditions of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). [2] Perhaps similar mechanisms for normal pressure hydrocephalus should be considered based on these results. [3]

In many animal models after kaolin injection, ICP raise occurs over 1-2 weeks, where a delayed absorption defect occurs, presumably due to fibrosis causing increased resistance to flow. [4] Unfortunately, ICP measurements were not available, which might correlate with CSF flow rates suggested by this study. Other studies using kaolin have identified alterations/fibrosis around the superior sagittal sinus (after suboccipital injection), which might alter the findings in this experiment. [5] The reader is advised to consider these factors as additional sources for finding of tritiated H20 in this study. [1] Also, because many canine species develop syringomyelia with hydrocephalus (perhaps as a compensatory mechanism), evaluation of lumbar CSF for tritiated H20 concentration might offer interesting correlation with blood levels. [6] Transventricular CSF outflow may account for some of the findings (especially using this model of nasal pathway obstruction), and should be considered as an alternative source of blood tritiated H20.

The authors commented on multiple reasons that partially explain their findings, which should stimulate the readers' thinking into our current understanding of CSF circulation. [6] Several factors, including arachnoid villi fibrosis, hypoxia, lumbar CSF absorption, growth factors, and parenchymal fluid absorption via aquaporins were suggested. However, because aquaporins are upregulated in the subependymal and subpial regions in hydrocephalus, one should consider this avenue for CSF absorption more closely, especially involving transparenchymal route into the bloodstream. Several potential drug treatment options should be considered using these concepts.

Once again, this study [1] emphasizes the need to question our understanding of CSF circulation in view of acceptable data suggesting that multiple absorption pathways play key roles at various stages of the hydrocephalic condition.

References

1.Zhao K, Sun H, Shan Y, Mao BY, Zhang H. Cerebrospinal fluid absorption disorder of arachnoid villi in a canine model of hydrocephalus. Neurol India 2010;58:371-6.  Back to cited text no. 1  [PUBMED]  Medknow Journal
2.Nauta JH, Dolan F, Yasargil MG. Microsurgical anatomy of spinal subarachnoid spaces. Surg Neurol 1983;19:431-7.   Back to cited text no. 2    
3.Rekate HL. What causes normal pressure hydrocephalus? Barrow Q 2003;19:2.  Back to cited text no. 3    
4.McCormick JM, Yamada K, Rekate HJ, Miyake H. Time course of intraventricular pressure change in a canine model of hydrocephalus: Its relationship to sagittal sinus elastance. Pediatr Neurosurg 1992;18:127-33.   Back to cited text no. 4    
5.Li J, McAllister JP, Shen Y, Wagshul ME, Miller JM, Egnor MR, et al. Communicating hydrocephalus in adult rats with kaolin obstructing of the basal cisterns or the cortical subarachnoid space: Exp Neurol 2008;211:351-61.   Back to cited text no. 5    
6.Yamada H, Yokota A, Haratake J, Horie A. Morphological study of experimental syringomyelia with kaolin-induced hydrocephalus in a canine model. J Neurosurg 1996;84:999-1001.  Back to cited text no. 6  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]

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