Imaging of cerebral venous thrombosis: current techniques, spectrum of findings, and diagnostic pitfalls.
Cerebral venous thrombosis is a relatively uncommon but serious neurologic disorder that is potentially reversible with prompt diagnosis and appropriate medical care. Because the possible causal factors and clinical manifestations of this disorder are many and varied, imaging plays a primary role in the diagnosis. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, un-enhanced computed tomography (CT), unenhanced time-of-flight MR venography, and contrast material-enhanced MR venography and CT venography are particularly useful techniques for detecting cerebral venous and brain parenchymal changes that may be related to thrombosis. To achieve an accurate diagnosis, it is important to have a detailed knowledge of the normal venous anatomy and variants, the spectrum of findings (venous sinus thrombi and recanalization, parenchymal diffusion or perfusion changes or hemorrhage), other potentially relevant conditions (deep venous occlusion, isolated cortical venous thrombosis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension), and potential pitfalls in image interpretation.
Leach
James L
JL
Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 234 Goodman St, Cincinnati, OH 45246, USA. james.leach@uc.edu
Fortuna
Robert B
RB
Jones
Blaise V
BV
Gaskill-Shipley
Mary F
MF
D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*