CT and MRI diagnosis of cerebral venous malformation

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of CT,conventional MRI and susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) in cerebral venous malformation(CVM).Methods Imaging data of 34 patients with CVM were analyzed retrospectively.10 patients had CT plain scan,32 patients had conventional MRI,and 11 cases were imaged with Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI,18 cases had SWI examination.Results CT plain scan showed a few drain veins.Conventional MRI showed many drain veins and some medullary veins.Contrast-enhanced MRI and SWI showed all of the veins and typical caput medusae sign.Conclusion The role of CT plain scan in diagnosis of CVM is restricted.Conventional MRI and Contrast-enhanced MRI are effective.SWI is of high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of CVM with associated cryptic vascular malformation without use of contrast material.It should be the first choice for the diagnosis of CVM.