In-vitro measurement of ventricular cerebrospinal fluid flow using particle tracking velocimetry and magnetic resonance imaging

Using in-vivo anatomical MRI scan, a scaled-up silicone model of the human ventricular system was built. A pulsatile pressure difference was applied across the aqueduct of Sylvius, and particle tracking velocimetry was used to measure the resulting three-dimensional fluid velocity distribution within the third ventricle. The obtained results were compared to velocimetric MRI scans of the same model; and show generally good agreement. A jet which emanates the aquaeduct of Sylvius is seen with both measurement methods. This jet also induces two main vortices which contribute significantly to the convective mixing of the cerebrospinal fluid. The main flow features correspond to the ones observed in a previous CFD simulation study.