Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of an acute venous stroke: case report.

A patient with a superior sagittal sinus thrombosis had progressively worsening symptoms and signs that resolved after IV heparin therapy. MR imaging revealed abnormalities in diffusion, similar to those seen with acute arterial stroke. Abnormalities shown on a T2-weighted fast spin-echo and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images resolved completely. The findings in this report contradict those from previous reports that suggest diffusion-weighted imaging with quantitative apparent diffusion coefficients may be used in selecting patients for dural venous sinus thrombolysis.     

Application of a rheolytic thrombectomy device in the treatment of dural sinus thrombosis: a new technique.

We present a novel application of a transvascular rheolytic thrombectomy system in the treatment of symptomatic dural sinus thrombosis in a 54-year-old woman with somnolence and left-sided weakness. The diagnosis of bilateral transverse and superior sagittal sinus thrombosis was made and the patient was treated with anticoagulant therapy. After an initial period of improvement, she became comatose and hemiplegic 8 days after presentation. After excluding intracerebral hemorrhage by MR imaging, we performed angiography and transfemoral venous thrombolysis with a hydrodynamic thrombectomy catheter, followed by intrasinus urokinase thrombolytic therapy over the course of 2 days. This technique resulted in dramatic sinus thrombolysis and near total neurologic recovery. Six months after treatment, the patient showed mild cognitive impairment and no focal neurologic deficit. Our preliminary experience suggests that this technique may play a significant role in the endovascular treatment of this potentially devastating disease.     

重症硬脑膜静脉窦血栓的局部溶栓治疗

目的 研究重症硬脑膜静脉窦血栓的局部溶栓治疗的方法及疗效。方法 总结我院自2000年以来6例重症硬脑膜静脉窦血栓的局部溶栓治疗经验，男4例，女2例，其中4例采用一侧股动脉及对侧股静脉Seldinger穿刺，2例采用股动脉Seldinger穿刺及上矢状窦前1／3穿刺。导管置入一侧颈内动脉及静脉窦血栓处后，于颈内动脉及静脉窦血栓处先后各用尿激酶50万U，以每分钟1万U泵入，再于静脉窦血栓处泵入尿激酶持续溶栓，维持外周血中纤维蛋白原含量1．0～1．5g／L，同时予全身肝素化，维持外周血活化部分凝血活酶时间正常值的2～3倍。结果 本组6例，5例痊愈，颅内压转正常，头痛消失，无神经功能障碍，其中4例数字减影血管造影(DSA)见浅表静脉扩张消失，静脉窦显影正常，1例浅表静脉扩张明显改善，静脉窦显影较前好转；1例好转，颅内压较前降低，头痛好转，DSA见浅表静脉扩张消失，静脉窦显影正常，抗凝治疗1个月后颅内压正常，头痛消失，神经功能恢复正常。结论 重症硬脑膜静脉窦血栓采用动静脉系统联合应用尿激酶局部溶栓治疗是快速、安全、有效的方法，经股静脉途径不易到达静脉窦血栓处者，可以行上矢状窦入路。     

MR staging of acute dural sinus thrombosis: correlation with venous pressure measurements and implications for treatment and prognosis.

PURPOSETo correlate parenchymal brain changes, venous sinus pressure measurements, and outcome in 29 patients with acute dural sinus thrombosis.METHODSA retrospective review of 29 patients with angiographically proved acute dural sinus thrombosis was made from January 1989 to December 1993. MR examinations were performed on either a 0.5- or 1.5-T superconductive scanner in multiple planes. Direct dural sinus venography, cerebral angiography, and MR venography were performed. Venous sinus pressure measurements were obtained in 11 of 29 patients.RESULTSWe identified five distinct stages of brain parenchymal changes; each stage correlated with increasing intradural sinus pressure. The pressures measured in this study ranged from 20 to 50 mm Hg. Brain parenchymal changes were reversible up to stage III if thrombolytic treatment was performed. Beyond stage III, there were some residual changes, even after thrombolysis. All stage V patients died.CONCLUSIONAcute dural sinus thrombosis leads to distinct stages of parenchymal changes, the severity of which depends on the degree of venous congestion, which, in turn, is closely related to intradural sinus pressure. As intradural sinus pressure increases, progression from mild parenchymal change to severe cerebral edema and/or hematoma may occur if thrombolysis is delayed.     

Direct endovascular thrombolytic therapy for dural sinus thrombosis: infusion of alteplase.

PURPOSETo evaluate the efficacy, safety, and results of direct thrombolytic therapy in intracranial dural sinus thrombosis by infusion of alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator).METHODSNine patients were treated during a 2-year period for intracranial dural sinus thrombosis. A microcatheter was placed directly into the thrombus in the dural sinus via the transfemoral route. Thrombolysis was initiated with a rapid injection of 10 mg of alteplase over 10 minutes, followed in 3 hours by a continuous infusion of 50 mg, then a continuous infusion at 5 mg per hour until complete thrombolysis or a total dose of 100 mg per day had been reached. Repeat thrombolysis was tried the following day if complete recanalization did not occur at 100 mg per day.RESULTSSuccessful recanalization with improvement of symptoms was achieved in all cases. Time required for complete thrombolysis was between 8 and 43 hours. The total dose of alteplase ranged from 50 to 300 mg. Complications of a small intrapelvic hemorrhage and oozing at a femoral puncture site occurred in separate cases, but were not related to the amount of infused alteplase. MR venograms obtained 1 to 4 weeks after the procedure showed no evidence of reocclusion of the dural sinuses.CONCLUSIONDirect fibrinolytic therapy with alteplase is safe, fast, and effective in treating dural sinus thrombosis. However, to prevent hemorrhagic complications, further studies are required to determine its optimal dose and proper rate of administration.     

Dural sinus thrombosis: study using intermediate field strength MR imaging

The magnetic resonance (MR) images of six patients with thrombosis of a dural sinus were reviewed. The diagnosis had been verified by computed tomographic scans in three patients and arteriograms in two; in the sixth patient, only MR imaging was used to confirm the clinical syndrome. In all patients, high-intensity signal was seen from the thrombus within the affected dural sinus on all echoes. This persistent signal intensity allowed intravascular clot to be distinguished from normal causes of increased signal such as flow-related enhancement (entry phenomenon) and even-echo rephasing. MR imaging demonstrated the cause of the thrombosis in three patients: two were secondary to adjacent tumors, and one was secondary to unsuspected mastoiditis. Complications such as infarction were also demonstrated. Using MR imaging, one can easily and safely diagnose thrombosis of a dural sinus. MR should be the imaging method of choice in patients suspected of having thrombosis of a dural sinus.     

血管内介入治疗颅内静脉窦血栓形成

目的 探讨血管内介入方法治疗颅内静脉窦血栓形成的疗效和安全性.方法 对27例抗凝治疗无效的颅内静脉窦血栓形成患者行血管内介入治疗,其中19例行局部静脉窦溶栓及机械性破栓治疗,5例行局部静脉窦溶栓、机械性破栓及动脉溶栓治疗,3例行静脉窦支架置入术.结果 23例患者的症状、体征明显改善,其中头痛消失18例,视力改善12例;3例症状无改善,出院前22例患者测脑脊液压力正常,血管造影等检查证实21例患者静脉窦主干通畅,皮层静脉和深静脉恢复正常;3例部分再通,皮层静脉和深静脉部分代偿.结论 血管内介入治疗是颅内静脉窦血栓形成安全、有效的治疗手段.     

Treatment of dural sinus thrombosis by urokinase infusion.

PURPOSETo gain a preliminary understanding of the role of thrombolytic therapy for the thrombosed dural sinus, we retrospectively reviewed our initial experience.METHODSSeven patients, ages 25 to 71, who presented with symptomatic dural sinus thrombosis and who failed a trial of medical therapy were treated with direct infusion of urokinase into the thrombosed sinus. Patients received urokinase doses ranging from 20,000 to 150,000 U/h with a mean infusion time of 163 hours (range 88 to 244 hours).RESULTSPatency of the affected dural sinus was achieved with antegrade flow in all patients. Six patients either improved neurologically over their prethrombolysis state or were healthy after thrombolysis; one of them required angioplasty. The other patient improved after surgical repair of a residual dural arteriovenous fistula. The only complications were an infected femoral access site which resolved after treatment with antibiotics and hematuria which cleared after discontinuation of anticoagulation.CONCLUSIONSThrombolysis of the thrombosed dural sinus shows promise as a safe and efficacious treatment. The results of this study should provide the impetus for further research.     

Dural sinus thrombosis

Summary Magnetic resonance imaging has been reported to have advantages over conventional angiography in the diagnosis of dural sinus thrombosis. A case report is presented describing the application of MR techniques including MR angiography, to diagnose and monitor therapy for dural sinus thrombosis.     

Evaluation of the intracranial dural sinuses with a 3D contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE sequence: prospective comparison with 2D-TOF MR venography and digital subtraction angiography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The diagnosis of dural sinus thrombosis is often difficult because of its variable and nonspecific clinical presentation and the overlapping signal intensities of thrombosis and venous flow on conventional MR images and MR venograms. We compared 3D contrast-enhanced magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (MP-RAGE) sequences with 2D time-of-flight (TOF) MR venography, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and conventional spin-echo (SE) MR imaging for the assessment of normal and abnormal dural sinuses. METHODS: In a phantom study, a plastic tube with pulsating flow was used to simulate the intracranial dural sinus. With 3D MP-RAGE, a variety of flow velocities, contrast material concentrations, and angulations between the phantom flow tube and the plane of acquisition were tested to measure their relationship to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In a clinical study, 35 patients, including 18 with suspected dural sinus thrombosis, were studied with both MR imaging and DSA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed in a blinded fashion using DSA as the reference standard. RESULTS: With the phantom, the SNR of flow increased with increasing contrast concentration, but was not affected by the angle between the tube and scan slab. There was no relationship between SNR and velocity when the contrast concentration was 1.0 mmol/L or greater. In the clinical study, dural sinus thrombosis as well as the normal anatomy of the dural sinuses were seen better with 3D contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE than with 2D-TOF MR venography. Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE showed the highest diagnostic confidence on ROC curves in the diagnosis of thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE is superior to 2D-TOF MR venography and conventional SE MR imaging in the depiction of normal venous structures and the diagnosis of dural sinus thrombosis, and is a potential alternative to DSA.     

Cerebral MR venography: normal anatomy and potential diagnostic pitfalls

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR venography is often used to examine the intracranial venous system, particularly in the evaluation of dural sinus thrombosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of MR venography in the depiction of the normal intracranial venous anatomy and its variants, to assess its potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of dural venous sinus thrombosis, and to compare the findings with those of conventional catheter angiography. METHODS: Cerebral MR venograms obtained in 100 persons with normal MR imaging studies were reviewed to determine the presence or absence of the dural sinuses and major intracranial veins. RESULTS: Systematic review of the 100 cases revealed transverse sinus flow gaps in 31% of the cases, with 90% of these occurring in the nondominant transverse sinus and 10% in the codominant transverse sinuses. No flow gaps occurred in the dominant transverse sinuses. The superior sagittal and straight sinuses were seen in every venogram; the occipital sinus was seen in only 10%. The vein of Galen and internal cerebral veins were also seen in every case; the basal veins of Rosenthal were present in 91%. CONCLUSIONS: Transverse sinus flow gaps can be observed in as many as 31% of patients with normal MR imaging findings; these gaps should not be mistaken for dural sinus thrombosis.     

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of dural sinus thrombosis

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful to diagnose dural sinus thrombosis. However, the representative appearance of dural sinus thrombosis on diffusion-weighted MRI has not been established. This study was aimed at determining whether cytotoxic or vasogenic edema is more predominant in the affected cerebral parenchyma and assessing the time courses and prognosis of dural sinus thrombosis lesion. The studies on sixteen patients with dural sinus thrombosis who underwent diffusion-weighted MRI were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography in 11 patients and magnetic resonance angiography in five patients. Diffusion-weighted images with echo-planar imaging were obtained using two or three b values, with the highest b value of up to 1,000 s/mm(2). A region of interest was placed on an area of abnormal signal intensity to calculate apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). Nine of the 16 patients had lesions with an increased ADC, whereas, three of these nine patients also had lesions with a decreased ADC. Among 11 patients who underwent initial MRI within 7 days of their last episode, eight had lesions with an increased ADC, of whom three had lesions mixed with both decreased and increased ADC areas. Follow-up studies of these three patients revealed the development of hemorrhagic infarction in two and subcortical hemorrhage in one. Vasogenic edema develops more predominantly and earlier in dural sinus thrombosis, though cytotoxic edema was also associated with the pathological changes in the early phase. Decrease of ADC value is presumed to reflect severe pathological conditions and indicate possible future development of infarction or hemorrhage.     

Follow-up MRI in dural arteriovenous malformations involving the cavernous sinus: emphasis on detection of venous thrombosis

Summary Six patients with a dural arteriovenous malformation (dural AVM) involving the cavernous sinus were followed up with magnetic resonance imaging in order to assess change in the lesions. Spin-echo (SE) imaging of three patients in whom the AVM appeared to have closed at least 1 month earlier (two of them spontaneously, and one after external carotid artery embolization) showed neither apparent flow void in the involved cavernous sinus nor evidence of venous thrombosis. SE images of the other three patients who had not been cured by external carotid artery embolization (two of whom were examined within a week of treatment), detected persisting arteriovenous shunts, including high-flow cortical venous drainage, seen as flow void. Two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography (2D TOF MRA) was performed simultaneously in three patients. Whereas shunting blood and the normal cavernous sinus were of high intensity, presumed thrombosed cavernous sinuses were isointense with stationary brain tissue. SE imaging can confirm the resolution of arteriovenous shunts, but poorly delineates ver acute and chronic thrombosis of the draining veins. In contrast, 2D TOF MRA directly demonstrates flowing blood, permitting the diagnosis of venous thrombosis; it should be included in follow-up of a dural AVM involving the cavernous sinus when venous thrombosis is suspected.     

脑磁共振静脉成像

目的：磁共振静脉成像(MRV)已被广泛应用于颅内静脉系统检查，特别是用来评价静脉窦血栓形成。本研究的目的是评价脑MRV描述正常颅内静脉系统解剖和变异的作用，评价它在诊断硬脑膜窦血栓形成过程中潜在的误诊因素。材料和方法：对79例常规磁共振表现正常的MRV图像进行分析，观察硬脑膜窦和主要静脉的表现和缺失情况。其中7例志愿者接受了MRV和3DPCMRA两种方法检查。结果：上矢状窦、直窦、Galen静脉和大脑内静脉显示率为100％，枕窦显示率为10％，基底静脉显示率为92％。横窦血流间隙显示率约为34％，均出现在非优势侧横窦，优势侧横窦没有出现流动间隙。结论：MRV是有效的评价颅内静脉系统方法。常规MR表现正常者中有34％可以发现横窦流动间隙，这些流动间隙不应被误诊为静脉窦血栓形成。     

Giant arachnoid granulation in a patient with benign intracranial hypertension (2009: 1b)

We report magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomography (CT) and angiographic imaging of an unusual giant arachnoid granulation 7(GAG) in the superior sagittal sinus in a man with headache and vertigo. Intrasinus pressure measurements revealed a significant pressure gradient across the lesion. MR imaging is useful to identify GAG and dural sinus thrombosis, whereas dural sinus pressure measurement in certain cases of GAGs can be used to evaluate the lesion as the cause of the patient’s symptoms.     

Giant arachnoid granulation in a patient with benign intracranial hypertension

We report magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomography (CT) and angiographic imaging of an unusual giant arachnoid granulation in the superior sagittal sinus in a man with headache and vertigo. Intrasinus pressure measurements revealed a significant pressure gradient across the lesion. MR imaging is useful to identify giant arachnoid granulation and dural sinus thrombosis, whereas dural sinus pressure measurement in certain cases of giant arachnoid granulations can be used to evaluate the lesion as the cause of the patient's symptoms.     

Isolated cortical venous thrombosis presenting as subarachnoid hemorrhage: a report of three cases

Cortical venous thrombosis (CVT) without concomitant dural sinus thrombosis is an uncommon disorder. Isolated CVT usually manifests on imaging studies as focal parenchymal hemorrhage or edema. We report three cases of isolated CVT that presented with unilateral, localized subarachnoid hemorrhage without parenchymal involvement.     

Documented development of a dural arteriovenous fistula in an infant subsequent to sinus thrombosis: case report and review of the literature

Controversy exists as to whether sinus thrombosis is the cause or the result of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) and to whether DAVF are congenital or acquired lesions, especially in children. An infant presented with rupture of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm diagnosed with computed tomography angiography and catheter angiography. Pretreatment hospital course was complicated by extensive dural sinus thrombosis. Subsequent arteriography showed a new adult-type dural arteriovenous fistula to the previously thrombosed right sigmoid sinus. This is the first report of definitive angiographic documentation of the development of an adult-type DAVF after recanalization of a thrombosed dural sinus in a child. This case confirms the acquired etiology of at least one type of DAVF in children, even at this young age. We review the previously documented cases of formation of DAVF subsequent to sinus thrombosis with serial angiography in adults.     

Report on the ECR2003 (European Congress of Radiology): non-contrast intracranial MR venography with 3D-phase contrast imaging: optimization of presaturation pulse and velocity encoding

BACKGROUND: Intracranial MR venography is useful for the diagnosis of dural sinus thrombosis and the preoperative assessment of sinus patency encased by tumors. Recently, contrast-enhanced MR venography has been applied for suspected dural sinus occlusion in a shorter time. However, it has some disadvantage for the evaluation of hypervascularized enhancing thrombus mimicking flow in chronic sinus thrombosis. So far, we have evaluated optimal imaging technique and slice orientation and have shown that sagittal three-dimensional (3D) -phase contrast (PC) imaging is the most suitable for the non-contrast intracranial MR venography. PURPOSE:To assess the optimal presaturation pulse (SAT) and velocity encoding (VENC) for the non-contrast intracranial 3D-PC MR venography. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Firstly, we performed phantom experiment to assess the best SAT thickness using arterial presaturation. Second, MR imaging was performed in 7 healthy volunteers to measure the dural sinus flow velocity using a 1.5 T MR. Third, 3D-PC MR venography was performed with a VENC settings at 10, 15, 20 and 30 cm/sec for healthy volunteers. All data were displayed as maximum intensity projection images and three neuroradiologists assessed the visibility of the dural sinuses and the cortical vein. RESULTS: The mean flow velocity of the dural sinuses was 6.3 cm/sec. The thickness of the best SAT was 100 mm. In the assessment of the visibility of the 3D-PC images, dural sinuses were adequately visualized at a VENC of 15 cm/sec. CONCLUSIONS: Non-contrast intracranial 3D-PC MR venography was optimized at 100mm thickness of SAT and a VENC of 15 cm/sec.     

Isolated cortical venous thrombosis and ulcerative colitis.

Aseptic cortical venous thrombosis is rare without concomitant dural sinus thrombosis. Ulcerative colitis is associated with both dural sinus thrombosis and isolated cortical venous thrombosis. We describe a 26-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis who had a spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage. An overlying thrombosed cortical vein was identified on spin-echo MR images and confirmed with angiography. Signal characteristics of thrombosed cortical veins are similar to those described in dural sinus thrombosis.