Investigation of the cerebrospinal fluid circulation by CT contrast cisternography in patients with psychiatric diseases.

In 52 out of 4,400 patients with psychiatric diagnoses referred for a computed tomography (CT) examination a communicating hydrocephalus was suggested on the basis of the conventional CT scan. These 52 cases were investigated with CT contrast cisternography. A disturbed cerebrospinal fluid circulation leading to a reflux of contrast medium into the lateral ventricles, visible for up to 24 hours, and no uptake of contrast medium in the sulci of the convexity of the hemispheres, was detected in 45 of the 52 patients. The clinical effects of shunting in 26 cases are demonstrated. The value of cerebral blood flow studies in such cases is also discussed.