Changes in regional blood-flow and water content of brain and spinal cord in acute and chronic experimental hydrocephalus.

The effects of kaolin-induced hydrocephalus on regional blood-flow and water content of cat brain and spinal cord were measured. The role of the central canal of the spinal cord as an alternative pathway for cerebrospinal fluid in experimental hydrocephalus was also studied by positive contrast ventriculography. In comparison with normal cats, blood-flow in the cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem of cats with acute hydrocephalus was reduced by more than 20 per cent: in those with chronic hydrocephalus it was reduced by only 12 per cent. There was an absolute increase of 1-5 per cent in water content of the brain in cats with acute hydrocephalus. Water content in the spinal cord was increased by 6 per cent in cats with acute hydrocephalus and by 8 per cent in those with chronic hydrocephalus. When the increased water-content was taken into account, hydrocephalus caused no significant change in blood-flow in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spinal cord. Contrast material perfused through the ventricles of hydrocephalic cats flowed directly into the enlarged central canal of the spinal cord. Kaolin-induced arachnoiditis completely obstructed communication between the ventricles and the cranial subarachnoid space. The contrast material in the central canal communicated both with the cavities extending into the dorsal columns and with the spinal subarachnoid space. When kaolin was injected directly into the spinal subarachnoid space there was an increase in spinal water-content, without an enlarged central canal. These results suggest that in addition to kaolin-induced arachnoiditis, increased intraluminal pressure is necessary to enlarge the central canal.