The use of radionuclide cisternography in the diagnosis of pleural cerebrospinal fluid fistulae.

Radionuclide cisternography (RNC) is an excellent method of studying cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and fistulous communications. Two patients are described in which pleural cerebrospinal fluid fistulae were found by this technique. In addition, marking the area presurgically reduced operating room time in one patient. Such communications are important to locate since they can cause significant loss of CSF as well as provide a pathway for pathogens to enter the central nervous system.