• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1209-1214
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• 2000

Objectives : The measurement of resistance to cerebrospinal fluid outflow($R_o$) can clearly delineate cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in patients with ventricular dilatation and can help in selecting patients to undergo shunt placement. With regards to type of infusion method, bolus injection is known to be more practical and safer than continuous infusion. The purpose of this study was to obtain $R_o$ of normal adults using lumbar bolus injection method. Material and Methods : Twenty adults aged 25 to 52 years were studied using lumbar bolus injection method. Fifteen patients with hemifacial spasm and five with cerebral concussion underwent $R_o$ measurement under propofol general anesthesia and local anesthesia, respectively. Results : The mean values of $R_o$ determined 1 minute and 2 minutes after bolus injection were $4.8{\pm}1.7$ and $4.4{\pm}1.6mmHg/ml/min$, respectively. There was no significant difference of $R_o$ between propofol general anesthesia group and local anesthesia group. Two patients showed $R_o$ greater than 6mmHg/ml/min. One patient revealed unexpectedly high level of $R_o$ due to severe spinal stenosis. Conclusion : Mean Ro in this study was higher than that of Shapiro's study. Borderline Ro near 6mmHg/ml/min should be regarded with caution and compared with clinical symptoms and results of other studies. Patients with severe spinal stenosis should be evaluated with caution.