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Abstract #0100

The role of brain viscoelasticity in chronically shunted hydrocephalus using Magnetic Resonance Elastography

Kristy Tan1, Adam L. Sandler2, Avital Meiri1, Rick Abbott2, James T. Goodrich2, Eric Barnhill3, and Mark E. Wagshul1

1Gruss MRRC, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States, 2Department of Neurological Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx NY, Bronx, NY, United States, 3Clinical Research Imaging Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Hydrocephalus patients with functioning shunts are often faced with severe headache disorders. This is believed to be due to a change in brain viscoelasticity. MRE uses external mechanical vibrations to induce waves and estimates viscoelasticity from the wave propagation. This study found a significant decrease of brain viscoelasticity in patients (N=14) compared to controls (N=12) (G* white matter, controls: 1407.82 (SD=111.3) Pa vs patients: 1099.33 (SD=262.86) Pa, p =0.0001). Additionally, an inverse correlation between ventricular volume and viscoelasticity in corresponding lobes was found indicating that brain viscoelasticity may play a role in hydrocephalus patient’s symptoms such as headaches.

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