Regional cerebral blood flow with intracranial mass lesions. Part I: Local alterations in cerebral blood flow.

Focal changes in the cat cerebral blood flow were studied by the technique of H2 polarography. Areas studied included the caudate nuclei, thalami and midbrain. A unilateral mass effect was created by inflation of an epidural balloon. A rapid decrease in regional cerebral blood flow was noted ipsilateral to the mass at very small balloon volumes. This was followed closely by contralateral supratentorial decrease in regional cerebral blood flow. The normal midbrain blood flow was found to be preserved until total decompensation (herniation) occurred.