Dural Venous Sinus Diameters in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: Correlation with History of Stroke in a Case-Control Study.
The purpose of this study was to compare the diameters of the dural venous sinuses (DVSs) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) with healthy controls and determine whether the size has any correlation to history of cerebral infarct among children with SCD.



A retrospective review compared demographics, medical history and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) findings in children with SCD with those in controls. Venous sinus diameters were measured on MRV in all subjects by the authors, who were blinded to the children's clinical history. The study cohort included 38 MRVs in children with SCD and 38 control subjects.



Statistical comparison showed children with SCD had significantly (P < 0.05) larger DVS diameters than controls. Among children with SCD with a history of stroke or silent infarct, DVS diameters were not significantly different.



Children with SCD had larger DVS diameters than did controls, regardless of the former group's history of cerebral infarct. The difference in size of venous sinuses is important to be aware of during the interpretation of neuroimaging studies to avoid unneeded additional imaging or referral.
From the Department of Radiology, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri.
Kalie
K
Adler
From the Department of Radiology, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri.
Arun
A
Reghunathan
From the Department of Radiology, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri.
Lisa H
LH
Hutchison
From the Department of Radiology, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri.
Ram
R
Kalpatthi
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003392:Cranial Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D059906:Neuroimaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology