MRI and magnetic resonance venography in diagnosing cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Objective To study the value of MRI and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) in diagnosing cerebral venous sinus thrombosis on 3.0T MR scanner.Methods MR findings and clinical manifestations in 10 patients with venous sinus thrombosis proved by DSA were evaluated retrospectively.Results All cases demonstrated venous infarction in cortex and subcortex at different areas of brain on conventional MRI,and 8 cases showed obvious vasogenic parenchymal edema; 7 patients demonstrated abnormal signal intensity in venous sinus,6 patients high signal intensity on T1WI and T2WI,and one patient isointensive and slight hyperintensity on T1WI and low signal on T2WI. Filling defect or interruption of venous sinus was found by MRV in all the nine patients receiving this scan.Conclusion MRI combined with MRV on 3.0T MR scanner is an effective imaging method in the diagnosis and follow-up of the cerebral venous sinus thrombosis,and can replace invasive DSA.