The traumatic aspect of ventricular catheterization demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging.

Five patients who underwent ventricular catheterization for increased intracranial pressure, were studied shortly after operation by two different radiological modalities: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT). MRI showed an important brain edema surrounding the site of ventricular catheterization especially in the frontal area, whereas CT did not demonstrate any anomaly or only a very slight one. This report outlines the traumatic aspect of ventricular puncture and the need for a proper setting at the first essay.