Dilated intercavernous sinuses: an MR sign of carotid-cavernous and carotid-dural fistulas.
Dilated venous channels traversing the sella and connecting the two cavernous sinuses were seen on contrast-enhanced MR images in four patients with angiographically proved carotid fistulas. The anatomy and variations of these so-called intercavernous sinuses are discussed and are demonstrated in Latex-injected anatomic specimens. Direct visualization of the intercavernous sinuses on contrast-enhanced MR images may serve as an ancillary sign for the diagnosis of carotid-cavernous or carotid-dural fistulas near the sella.
Elster
A D
AD
Department of Radiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Chen
M Y
MY
Richardson
D N
DN
Yeatts
P R
PR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000473:pathology*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged