Volumetric Analysis of CSF Spaces in Patients with Chiari Malformation Type-I

Chiari Malformation type-1(CM-1) is a serious neurological disorder that involves a descent of cerebellar tonsils, which are rounded structures at the tip of each cerebellar hemisphere, into the spinal canal. In this study, using magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with CM-1 and health controls, the regions involving cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were segmented and volumes of CSF were calculated for left and right half brain and additionally for the regions that surround the cerebellum. Results showed that there were no significant differences in fluid volumes between patients and control groups for left and right brain halves. However, a significant difference was observed for the regions surrounding the cerebellum. According to the results, it may be concluded that, except for the cerebellar region, CSF distribution holds its usual values for patients as well.