MRI diagnosis of the cavernous sinus diseases

Objective To sum up the types,MRI findings and diagnosis of the cavernous sinus diseases.Methods MRI images of 98 patients with the cavernous sinus diseases proved by clinic or pathology were retrospectively reviewed.Results Ninty-eight cases of cavernous sinus diseases were classified into four types based on etiologies,inflammatory lesions(16 cases),angio-diseases(14 cases),primary tumors(13 cases),and secondary tumors(55 cases).The cavernous sinus patch or nodule abnormal chickening and abnormal signals extending towards fissure orbitalis superior and skull base were found in inflammatory lesions in MRI.The flow void-sign and abnormalities of MRA were the main features of the internal carotiol artery aneurysm and ICA-cavernous sinus fistula.The MRI manifestations of the cavernous sinus cavernous hemagioma were similar to some tumors.Single or multiple masses were showed in the cavernous sinus primary or secondary tumors cases.Conclusion There are different MRI features in shape and signal of lesions in the different cavernous sinus diseases.MRI plays an extremely important role in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the cavernous sinus diseases.