Magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) represents a diagnostic challenge due to the diversity of clinical presentation. The radiologist should be aware of the common neurological features. Unenhanced CT may show the first indications of venous sinus occlusion. Confirmatory diagnostic imaging should be performed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) or computed tomography (CT) venography. We illustrate the MRI and MRV features of the thrombosed venous sinus and venous oedema or infarction and discuss the diagnostic limitations of these techniques.