Positive contrast ventriculography in cats with experimental obstructive hydrocephalus

Cerebrospinal fluid pathways were studied in both normal and experimental obstructed hydrocephalic cats by positive contrast ventriculography. Either water soluble or insoluble contrast material was injected into the lateral cerebral ventricles, and radiographs were taken of the head and spinal cord. In the normal cat, the contrast material freely flowed throughout the spinal fluid spaces. The contrast material accumulated in the cisterna magna, and from there extended into the cranial and spinal subarachnoid spaces. In the kaolin-induced hydrocephalic cat, the outlets from the fourth ventricle were obstructed, and direct communication between the ventricular system and the subarachnoid spaces no longer existed. In these cats, the contrast material passed directly down the central canal of spinal cord and its movement was followed throughout the entire length of the canal. At the lower lumbar-sacral regions, the material perforated the cord and flowed into the subarachnoid space. At all levels, the central canal was enlarged and local dilatations were seen extending dorsally.