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MRI and cerebral venous thrombosis.
Computerized Radiology : Official Journal of the Computerized Tomography Society
|March 1, 1987
Summary
Diagnosing cerebral sinus thrombosis is challenging due to vague symptoms and limited computed tomography (CT) signs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers superior visualization of clot, making it the preferred method for initial diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebral sinus thrombosis diagnosis is often delayed due to nonspecific clinical presentations.
- Computed tomography (CT) has limited sensitivity for detecting cerebral sinus thrombosis, often lacking direct imaging signs like the "empty delta" or "cord" signs.
Observation:
- Two cases of cerebral sinus thrombosis are presented: a pediatric patient with nephrotic syndrome and an adult with post-craniotomy headaches.
- Initial CT scans showed nonspecific findings (e.g., sagittal sinus hyperdensity) or were normal, complicating diagnosis.
Findings:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed characteristic signal changes in the affected sinuses, consistent with thrombosis.
- MRI demonstrated increased signal intensity within the sinuses due to clot and absence of signal from flowing blood, clearly indicating thrombosis.
Implications:
- MRI is highly effective for the initial diagnosis of cerebral sinus thrombosis, surpassing CT in sensitivity.
- Improved diagnostic accuracy with MRI can lead to earlier treatment and better patient outcomes for cerebral sinus thrombosis.