The effect of cold-induced brain edema on cerebrospinal fluid formation rate.

The net contribution of vasogenic brain edema to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) formation was studied by ventriculocisternal perfusion. Individual cats were perfused both before and 2 1/2 hours after a severe cold-induced injury to the cerebral cortex, and the results were compared. Although the edema had occupied the larger part of the hemispheric white matter and bordered the lateral ventricle, a decrease rather than an increase in CSF formation rate was observed. This decrease was related to a decrease in the cerebral perfusion pressure by a regression equation that was not affected by the cold injury.