Could a simple MRI replace the spinal tap for brain pressure?
NCT ID NCT03096743
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a special MRI technique called MR elastography can accurately measure high pressure inside the skull without needing a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Researchers will compare the MRI results with standard tests in 200 people with and without high brain pressure. If it works, this could make diagnosis safer and more comfortable for patients.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a safer, noninvasive way to diagnose high brain pressure without needing a spinal tap.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early diagnostic study, not a treatment trial. The new method may not be accurate enough to replace current tests, and results may not apply to all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
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