Normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure

Abstract

✓ The authors report studies of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure in 31 young normal volunteers. In half, a 22-gauge needle was used, and in the other half a 26-gauge needle. The opening CSF pressure was monitored for 10 minutes and also in some during the CSF withdrawal period and the 10-minute CSF reformation period. Cardiac CSF pulse amplitudes and Queckenstedt responses following the opening pressure-monitoring period were also recorded before and after the fluid withdrawal. The average opening pressure was 14.5 cm of 0.15 M sodium chloride (S.D., 3.7) with the 22-gauge needle, and 15.7 cm (S.D., 3.6) in subjects receiving the 26-gauge needle. In each subject the opening pressure tended to fluctuate around a characteristic individual level; in five perfectly relaxed normal volunteers an average value of 20 cm was observed, with a maximal value of 24 cm. The amplitude of the cardiac pulse had a direct relationship to the individual CSF pressure. CSF was withdrawn at two different rates; both withdrawal rates generated approximately linear pressure decay curves. When the withdrawal rates were 5 and 1 ml/min, the average decline of pressure at the end of the period was 9.2 and 5.2 cm respectively. The mean CSF pressures increased only slightly during the 10-minute CSF reformation period. The data obtained should help to define whether a young adult patient does indeed have a CSF pressure elevation.

Spinal CSF absorption in healthy individuals

“…We therefore decided to exclude ICP measurements derived from the Bryans 28000 graph recorder, except in calculating the CSF production rate. The ICP in our remaining 19 healthy individuals (95% CI 12.1-15.1 cmH 2 O) is similar to earlier reports by Gilland et al (19) and Ekstedt (16) and also confirms results from previous studies showing no gender differences (16) and no correlation with weight or height (9). We could not find any correlation between the radionuclide reduction and the ICP.…”

Trans-lamina cribrosa pressure difference correlated with neuroretinal rim area in glaucoma

“…Cerebrospinal fluid pressure was measured by an experienced neurologist under local anesthesia in a standardized manner at 2 pm in a lateral decubitus position, with the patient's neck bent in full flexion and the knees bent in full flexion up to the chest [28]. A standard spinal needle (20-gauge needle, 90-mm length) was inserted between lumbar vertebrae L3/L4 or L4/L5 and pushed in until a decrease in resistance indicated that the needle had passed the dura mater.…”

Intracranial pressure following complete removal of a small demarcated brain tumor: a model for normal intracranial pressure in humans

“…This person was a 45-year-old woman with bilateral papilledema of unknown origin, and had complaints of headache and symptoms of "mental insufficiency" for a period of 2 years after acute meningoencephalitis. Most subsequent authors 1,[5][6][7]12 have performed estimations of the ICP based on pressure measurements obtained by lumbar puncture. Some investigations were performed on healthy volunteers, while others included patients suspected of CSF dynamic disturbances, and subsequently were classified as "probably" normal.…”