Abnormal brain biomechanics in the hydrocephalic child. From: Concepts in Pediatric Neurosurgery, 1982,vol 2.

Sixteen children with active hydrocephalus were studied using the Pressure Volume Index (PVI) technique to characterize neural axis compliance and the resistance to CSF absorption (Ro). Intracranial pressure for the series was 16.2 +/- 6.2/13.3 +/- 6.1 mm Hg. Measured PVI was twice that predicted for each child, indicating abnormally compliant systems. Ro was 7.8 +/- 1.7 mm Hg/ml/min, a three-fold increase above normal. There was no correlation between PVI and ventricular size. These studies indicate that the biomechanical properties of the brain and its coverings are altered by the hydrocephalic process in a way that encourages further accumulation of volume.