Cisternogram Scan - Requirements, Preparation, and Procedure

What Is Cisternogram Scan?

A Cisternogram is a procedure that helps assess and diagnose the conditions of cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This test studies the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in this region. A cisternogram scan falls under the category of nuclear imaging. Hence, this test may also be known as a radionucleotide cisternogram. A radionucleotide dye is injected into the spine and studied in this procedure. This dye helps to study the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid.

What Is Cerebrospinal Fluid?

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The functions of CSF include:

• Helps in the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS).

• It is the medium of nutrient delivery for the brain and the spinal cord.

• It helps in removing toxins from the central nervous system.

• It is protective and acts as a cushion to the brain and the spinal cord. It prevents any injury to the brain in case of any accident or trauma.

What Are the Requirements of a Cisternogram Scan?

A cisternogram scan helps to diagnose various conditions concerning CSF. It is performed to check for any CSF leak or buildup of the CSF. The symptoms of CSF abnormalities include:

• Headache that is difficult to bear.

• Dizziness and loss of balance.

• Visual disturbances.

• Loss of hearing.

• Neck pain and stiffness.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Difficulty in having focus.

• Light and sound sensitivity.

How to Prepare for a Cisternogram Scan?

A Cisternogram scan can be an outpatient as well as an in-patient procedure. It depends on the individual requirements of the patient and the doctor. Generally, there are no special requirements for this procedure. However, the doctor may advise certain dietary restrictions before the procedure. Certain precautions need to be taken before the procedure, which includes:

• Any history of allergies to certain forms of medication.

• Any likelihood that one may be pregnant.

• Prescriptions one may take, including nutrients and enhancements.

What Happens During the Process of Cisternogram Scan?

The initial step of a cisternogram is a spinal tap (lumbar puncture). The patient gets an infusion of a sedative to numb the spine and its surrounding structure. Certain individuals may likewise require conscious sedation to remain even-tempered or, in uncommon cases, general sedation.

• The patient is asked to lie facing downwards on a table, or on one’s side with your knees pulled up toward her chest.

• The doctor who is performing the procedure inserts a slender, empty needle into the spine. Fluoroscopy (constant X-beam) helps guide the needle between the vertebrae (spinal bones) and into the space around the spinal column.

• The needle infuses a radioactive substance into the cerebrospinal liquid (CSF).

• The doctor then removes the needle.

• After the lumbar puncture, the patient should lay extremely still for about an hour while the radioactive substance travels through the CSF. Somewhere in the range of one and six hours after the lumbar puncture, the doctor will perform imaging outputs of the spine. They utilize a specialized camera that identifies radioactive material. A CT sweep or X-ray makes the pictures.

The patient can return home after the imaging check however, should return 24 hours after the fact for another imaging examination. It can require an entire day for the radioactive substance to arrive at every one of the pits in your cerebrum. Certain individuals additionally get filters 48 and 72 hours after the strategy. One does not require lumbar puncture all the time.

Is Cisternogram Scan Painful?

One could feel some stinging or distress during the infusion of local anesthetics. At the point when the needle goes into the spine, the patient may experience discomfort. The imaging examinations are painless and effortless.

Does Cisternogram Scan Have Side Effects?

The most common side effect of the cisterogram scan is pain in the region of injection and headache that comes after the procedure as an aftermath. There could be a CSF leak after the lumbar puncture. This leak can cause headaches that could be similar to migraine. It ought to disappear on its own within a couple of hours or days.

Are There Any Side Effects of This Procedure?

Intricacies after a cisternogram are intriguing, yet potential dangers include:

• Unfavorably susceptible responses to the radioactive substance or sedation. This includes allergic reactions to the radioactive material.

• Brainstem herniation (strain inside the skull moves cerebrum tissue).

• CSF leakage into outer space.

• Chances of infection.

• Any damage or injury to the nerve during the procedure.

• There may be a small amount of radiation exposure. But this should not cause much harm.

How Is Cisternogram Scan Interpreted?

In the event that your cisternogram is ordinary, it implies that the cerebrospinal fluid is circulating in the brain and brainstem in a regular fashion. There are no holes or blockages. Unusual outcomes could demonstrate:

• CSF Leakage: CSF leakage is many times the consequence of a head injury, skull fractures, or harm to the dura mater (peripheral covering of the spine). CSF leakage can likewise happen after specific medical procedures or systems.

• CSF Shunt Issues: This can happen if a shunt (small waste cylinder) in the cerebrum does not work properly. Shunts are the most well-known treatment for hydrocephalus.

• Hydrocephalus: It is a condition in which there is an increase in pressure inside the brain due to the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid.

• Normal-Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH): This is a type of CSF fluid-up that does not cause an increase in intracranial pressure.

• False Brain Tumor: False brain tumor or pseudo brain tumor is a condition in which there is a build-up of intracranial pressure without any underlying cause. It's additionally called idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Conclusion:

A Cisternogram scan is a diagnostic procedure that helps assess the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This test studies the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in this region. It is a type of nuclear imaging procedure. In this procedure, a dye is injected into the spine and the result is studied. This dye helps to study the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid. It helps to detect various conditions of the CSF such as CSF leaks, and CSF shunts. The doctor may use this procedure in various cases where these conditions are suspected. This procedure does not have many side effects. However, a history of allergies and medications should be presented to the doctor in advance.