Cerebrospinal fluid pressure alterations in experimental communicating hydrocephalus. Response of cerebrospinal fluid pressure to increase in arterial carbon dioxide tension.

The response of cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) pressure to increased arterial carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) was evaluated in 5 control animals and 7 animals with experimentally induced communicating hydrocephalus. The CSF pressure in control dogs increased moderately in response to PCO2; in dogs with hydrocephalus, an increase in PCO2 produced a pronounced increase in CSF pressure accompanied by a simultaneous decrease in cerebral perfusion pressure. Progression of hydrocephalus can be explained by increased intracranial pressure, periventricular edema and cerebral ischemia.