Measurement of CSF flow using an interferrographic MR technique based on the rare-fast imaging sequence.

A fast MR sequence based on the RARE-myelographic technique allows the determination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow with a flow sensitivity below 1 mm/sec. The method averages flow over the ECG cycle and consequently measures net flow rather than ECG-dependent flow variations. The noninvasivity of this technique and the very short acquisition time of about 5 sec make this sequence a very useful diagnostic tool for a variety of CSF-flow dependent disorders like the determination of different types of hydrocephalus, the control of shunt operations and the assessment of communication pathways between CSF and cysts.