Brain edema induced by ventricular puncture. A study by magnetic resonance imaging

The sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of edema is well known [3]. We have reported that MRI clearly demonstrates “traumatic” brain edema surrounding the site of a ventricular catheter, whereas concomitant computed tomography (CT) demonstrates either no or only minimal changes [5]. The hyperdensity area surrounding a frontal chatheter appeared larger than that induced by puncture of the ventricular trigonum.