High signal intensity in the dural sinuses on 3D-TOF MR angiography at 3.0 T.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the frequency of high signal intensity in the dural sinuses of normal subjects upon magnetic resonance (MR) angiography using 3.0-T scanners.


METHODS
A total of 748 consecutive healthy subjects underwent three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography at 3.0 T. Sixteen subjects were excluded. MR angiographic source images were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of high signal intensity in the inferior petrosal sinus, pterygoid sinus, or sigmoid sinus.


RESULTS
Of the 732 examinations, 10 (1.3%) showed high signal intensity in the dural sinuses (left inferior petrosal sinus, n=4; left pterygoid sinus, n=3; left sigmoid sinus, n=6). High signal intensity in the dural sinuses was observed only on the left side. The minimum diameter of the left brachiocephalic vein was significantly smaller in subjects with high signal intensity than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study with healthy subjects at 3.0 T, the frequency of high signal intensity in the dural sinuses is as low as 1.3%. Retrograde flow due to physiological stenosis of the left brachiocephalic vein may be one of the causes of this phenomenon.
Inano
Sachiko
S
Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. inano-sim@umin.ac.jp
Itoh
Daisuke
D
Takao
Hidemasa
H
Hayashi
Naoto
N
Mori
Harushi
H
Kunimatsu
Akira
A
Abe
Osamu
O
Aoki
Shigeki
S
Ohtomo
Kuni
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003392:Cranial Sinuses / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012189:Retrospective Studies