Obstruction of Magendie's and Luschka's foramina. Cine-MRI, aetiology and pathogenesis.

Abstract

Obstruction of the foramina of Magendie and Luschka represents one possible aetiology for a progressive tetra-ventricular hydrocephalus. Our case report is a 58-year-old woman initially presenting with a pseudo-vertebrobasilar insufficiency clinical syndrome. A ventriculo-cisternostomy of the third ventricle was performed by an endoscopic procedure with a clinical and radiological success (three year follow-up). Comparative studies of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow measurements by cine magnetic resonance imaging (cine-MRI) showed that Magendie's and Luschka's foramina permeabilities were restored after the ventriculo-cisternostomy. INRTERPRETATION: This case shows that endoscopic ventriculo-cisternostomy of the third ventricle can provide an effective treatment for specific tetra-ventricular hydrocephalus. Cine-MRI findings open the discussion on possible aetiologies and pathophysiologies.