Anthropomorphic Model of Intrathecal Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics Within the Spinal Subarachnoid Space: Spinal Cord Nerve Roots Increase Steady-Streaming

Mohammadreza Khani , Lucas R. Sass , Tao Xing (1) , M. Keith Sharp , Olivier Balédent (2, 3) , Bryn A. Martin

1 Northwest Normal University [Lanzhou]
2 CHU Amiens-Picardie
3 CHIMERE - CHirurgie, IMagerie et REgénération tissulaire de l’extrémité céphalique - Caractérisation morphologique et fonctionnelle - UR UPJV 7516

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics are thought to play a vital role in central nervous system (CNS) physiology. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of spinal cord (SC) nerve roots (NR) on CSF dynamics. A subject-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the complete spinal subarachnoid space (SSS) with and without anatomically realistic NR and nonuniform moving dura wall deformation was constructed. This CFD model allowed detailed investigation of the impact of NR on CSF velocities that is not possible in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other noninvasive imaging methods. Results showed that NR altered CSF dynamics in terms of velocity field, steady-streaming, and vortical structures. Vortices occurred in the cervical spine around NR during CSF flow reversal. The magnitude of steady-streaming CSF flow increased with NR, in particular within the cervical spine. This increase was located axially upstream and downstream of NR due to the interface of adjacent vortices that formed around NR.

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Mohammadreza Khani, Lucas R. Sass, Tao Xing, M. Keith Sharp, Olivier Balédent, et al.. Anthropomorphic Model of Intrathecal Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics Within the Spinal Subarachnoid Space: Spinal Cord Nerve Roots Increase Steady-Streaming. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 2018, 140 (8, SI), ⟨10.1115/1.4040401⟩. ⟨hal-03599028⟩