title: Visualization of venous systems by time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Time-of-flight (TOF) imaging technique depicts strong signal from fresh unsaturated magnetization that moves fast into the imaging region, and TOF magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) visualizes the arterial system using saturation pulse and band. However, TOF MRA can visualize the venous system when the flow direction is reversed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We consecutively enrolled patients between June 2002 and February 2003 with an internal jugular vein (IJV) and sigmoid sinus (SS) visualized by TOF MRA. Carotid Duplex ultrasonography was performed on all patients to check IJV flow directions. Gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced MRA and conventional digital subtraction angiography were performed in selected patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The IJVs and SSs of eight patients (left = 7, right = 1) were observed by TOF MRA. In these 8 patients, Duplex ultrasonography confirmed a reversed direction in IJVs. Four of the patients underwent Gd-enhanced MRA, which showed proximal innominate vein steno-occlusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first description of IJV and SS visualization by TOF MRA. Clinical implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Dong-Eog
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Se H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae-Kyu
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Roh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D003392:Cranial Sinuses / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium