Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
07:18
Evaluation of Capillary and Other Vessel Contribution to Macular Perfusion Density Measured with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: February 18, 2022
Cerebral venous sinus density on noncontrast CT correlates with hematocrit
1Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. black.david@mayo.edu
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|May 14, 2011
Summary
Hemoconcentration, indicated by hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HGB), significantly correlates with CT attenuation in cerebral venous sinuses. This finding may help differentiate sinus thrombosis from hemoconcentrated blood.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neuroradiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The correlation between hematocrit (HCT) and computed tomography (CT) attenuation of intravascular blood is widely assumed but lacks robust validation with large patient cohorts and modern CT technology.
- Previous studies have not definitively established whether increased CT attenuation in cerebral venous sinuses is solely due to hemoconcentration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between HCT and CT attenuation in cerebral venous sinuses using a substantial patient sample and contemporary CT equipment.
- To determine if hemoconcentration alone accounts for increased CT attenuation in these sinuses.
- To assess the potential of CT attenuation values to distinguish between sinus thrombosis and hemoconcentrated blood.
Main Methods:
- 166 unenhanced head CT scans were analyzed to measure Hounsfield Units (HUs) in the confluence of dural venous sinuses.
- Measurements were correlated with patient hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HGB) values across a wide age range (2-100 years).
- CT attenuation data from patients with confirmed sinus thrombosis (n=8) were compared with data from healthy subjects using t tests and linear regression.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between both HCT and HGB levels and CT attenuation values in cerebral venous sinuses.
- A notable finding was that 7 out of 8 patients with sinus thrombosis exhibited CT attenuation values greater than 70 HU.
- Conversely, none of the healthy subjects presented with CT attenuation values exceeding 70 HU in the analyzed region.
Conclusions:
- Hemoconcentration, reflected by HCT and HGB, demonstrates a significant correlation with CT attenuation within the cerebral venous sinuses.
- The study suggests that CT attenuation values, particularly when considered in relation to HCT, may serve as a valuable indicator for assessing the likelihood of sinus thrombosis.
- Further research into the ratio of Hounsfield Units to HCT could refine the diagnostic approach to sinus thrombosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
01:10Veins as Blood Reservoirs
Veins, while chiefly responsible for circulating blood back to the heart, also function as storage vessels for blood. They house approximately 64 percent of the body's total blood volume, a feat made possible by their high capacitance—the inherent ability to expand and accommodate large volumes of blood, even under low pressure. The large diameter and thin walls of veins augment their distensibility, significantly more so than arteries, due to their classification as capacitance vessels. When...
01:19Veins of Head and Neck
The blood drainage from the head and neck is primarily managed by three pairs of veins: the external jugular, internal jugular, and vertebral veins. The external jugular veins drain superficial scalp and face structures, passing over the sternocleidomastoid muscles to empty into the subclavian veins.
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
01:14Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
01:17Veins
Veins are an integral part of our circulatory system, serving as the blood vessels that transport blood from all body regions to the heart. They are a network of hollow tubes that carry blood low in oxygen from the body's cells back to the heart for reoxygenation. Veins are crucial for maintaining the body's overall fluid balance and the continuous circulation of blood.
Structure of Veins:
The structure of veins is specifically designed to assist in the low-pressure transportation of blood...
Structure of Veins:
The structure of veins is specifically designed to assist in the low-pressure transportation of blood...