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Intracranial nonjugular venous pathways: a possible compensatory drainage mechanism
M Kopelman1, A Glik, S Greenberg
1Department of Biomedicine Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|February 2, 2013
Summary
The nonjugular venous system (NJVs) may compensate for intracranial venous drainage, particularly in younger individuals. This alternative pathway
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Vascular Anatomy
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- The internal jugular veins (IJVs) are primary intracranial venous drainage pathways.
- Emerging evidence suggests alternative venous drainage routes exist.
- Extracranial sonography has indicated a nonjugular venous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nonjugular venous (NJV) drainage system using MR imaging.
- To analyze the components of the NJV system, including the vertebral and pterygopalatine plexuses.
- To assess the diagnostic and clinical importance of visualizing intracranial NJVs.
Main Methods:
- 64 participants without neurological disease underwent 2D time-of-flight MR imaging.
- Custom software was developed to quantify the size of IJVs and NJVs.
- Images were reviewed by an experienced neuroradiologist for accuracy assessment.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse correlation was found between the cross-sectional area (CSA) of NJVs and IJVs (r² = 0.25).
- Inverse correlations were also observed between IJVs and NJV components (vertebral plexus, pterygopalatine plexus).
- NJV cumulative CSA showed an inverse correlation with participant age (r² = 0.2).
Conclusions:
- The NJV system may function as a compensatory intracranial venous drainage pathway.
- The significance of this compensatory mechanism appears to diminish with advancing age.
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