Origin of high signal intensity in the cavernous sinus in MR angiographic source images: correlation between MR and conventional angiography.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the origin of a high signal intensity in a cavernous sinus on magnetic resonance (MR) angiography.


METHODS
Time-of-flight MR angiography was performed in 20 patients scheduled for conventional angiography for disease not related to carotid cavernous fistula. Venous drainage pattern was assessed, and flow rate to a cavernous sinus was semiquantitatively evaluated on conventional angiography.


RESULTS
Two sinuses showed high signal intensity in the anterior portion. These were associated with direct venous drainage to the anterosuperior aspect of the cavernous sinus from the superficial middle cerebral vein, and their flow rates were among the 10% of the sides with the highest flow rates. Two other sinuses showed high signal intensity in the posterior portion. Their flow rates from the superficial petrosal sinus were also among the 10% of the sides with the highest flow rates.


CONCLUSIONS
High signal intensity in the anterior or posterior portions of the cavernous sinus is probably a result of inflow from the superficial middle cerebral vein and the superior petrosal sinus, respectively.
Tanaka
Hisashi
H
Department of Radiology, Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. tanaka@radiol.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Fujita
Norihiko
N
Hirabuki
Norio
N
Kashiwagi
Nobuo
N
Watanabe
Yoshiyuki
Y
Fujinaka
Toshiyuki
T
Yoshimine
Toshiki
T
Nakamura
Hironobu
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013382:Subtraction Technique
D003287:Contrast Media