MR imaging of transverse/sigmoid dural sinus and jugular vein thrombosis

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on six patients with thrombosis involving the transverse/sigmoid sinus and jugular bulb/vein. Venographic confirmation was obtained in five cases. Thrombi were characterized by increased intraluminal signal on all planes of section and pulse sequences. The change in signal intensity from first to second echo for thrombi was qualitatively less than that found with slow flow. Partial thrombosis in one case was seen as a ring pattern of central intermediate intensity corresponding to the thrombus, surrounded by a peripheral ring of signal void related to flowing blood. The MR findings closely correlated with venography in predicting thrombosis. Evidence of thrombi was not available from CT. Magnetic resonance is well suited for the diagnosis of occlusive disease of the dural venous sinus and jugular bulb.