Quantitation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt Flow

Abstract

A new method for quantitatively measuring flow through CSF diversionary shunts is described. Shunt reservoirs were injected with 0.05 ml 99mTcO4− and the clearance, λ, determined. The distribution volume of every known shunt reservoir was ascertained experimentally. CSF flow, F, was determined using the relationship F=λV. Good correlation between CSF flow and clinical outcome was found in 14 of 15 patients in whom shunt function was in question.