Volatile Agents and CSF Dynamics

Question:

Will isoflurane increase the absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and how does it influence the production of CSF?

Answer: 

Yes, isoflurane increases the absorption of CSF but does not influence its production.

Below are a couple of references for this topic.

Miller 9th ed.p.318

Absorption of CSF is reduced by halothane and enflurane, unchanged by desflurane, and increased by isoflurane, though probably of minimal relevance to clinical practice, a theoretical concern might be in the setting of a prolonged closed-cranium procedure in a patient with poor intracranial compliance.

Butterworth 6th ed.p.590

Volatile anesthetics affect both the formation and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid. Halothane impedes absorption of CSF but only minimally retards formation. Conversely, Isoflurane facilitates absorption and is, therefore, the only volatile agent with favorable effects on CSF dynamics.

Barash 8th ed.p.471-472

Volatile anesthetics modestly and variably affect CSF production and resorption, which are clinically far less important than anesthetic effects on CBF.