Cerebral veins: comparative study of CT venography with intraarterial digital subtraction angiography.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to compare the reliability of CT venography with intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in imaging cerebral venous anatomy and pathology.


METHODS
In 25 consecutive patients, 426 venous structures were determined as present, partially present, or absent by three observers evaluating CT multiplanar reformatted (MPR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) images. These results were compared with the results from intraarterial DSA and, in a second step, with the results of an intraobserver consensus. In addition, pathologic conditions were described.


RESULTS
Using DSA as the standard of reference, MPR images had an overall sensitivity of 95% (specificity, 19%) and MIP images a sensitivity of 80% (specificity, 44%) in depicting the cerebral venous anatomy. On the basis of an intraobserver consensus including DSA, MPR, and MIP images (415 vessels present), the sensitivity/specificity was 95%/91% for MPR, 90%/100% for DSA, and 79%/91% for MIP images. MPR images were superior to DSA images in showing the cavernous sinus, the inferior sagittal sinus, and the basal vein of Rosenthal. Venous occlusive diseases were correctly recognized on both MPR and MIP images. Only DSA images provided reliable information of invasion of a sinus by an adjacent meningioma.


CONCLUSIONS
CT venography proved to be a reliable method to depict the cerebral venous structures. MPR images were superior to MIP images.
Wetzel
S G
SG
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital of Basel, Kantonsspital, Switzerland.
Kirsch
E
E
Stock
K W
KW
Kolbe
M
M
Kaim
A
A
Radue
E W
EW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008579:Meningioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media