Direct venous spinal reabsorption of cerebrospinal fluid: a new concept with serial magnetic resonance cistemography in rabbits Laboratory investigation

Abstract

Object. For nearly 100 years it has been believed that the main reabsorption of CSF occurs in arachnoid projections into the superior sagittal sinus, but a significant number of experiments and cases conflict with this hypothesis. According to recently published studies, CSF is permanently produced and absorbed in the whole CSF system. Clusters of arachnoidal villi, which are speculated to have a role in the reabsorption of CSF, have recently been revealed in the dorsal root of the spinal nerves. Huge absorptive surface areas of microvessels have been suggested to serve a putative role in reabsorption. The authors' aim was to observe direct venous connections between the subarachnoid space and the perispinal veins.