[Role of magnetic resonance imaging in cerebral venous thrombosis]

Magnetic resonance imaging is at present the method of choice for the diagnosis and follow up of cerebral venous thrombosis. It allows both the visualisation of the thrombus itself, mostly as an increased signal in T1 and T2 images, and its potential recanalisation. It also detects the associated parenchymal lesion: isolated mass effect, edema, or hemorrhage. If necessary, it can be coupled with magnetic resonance angiography, thus allowing in the majority of cases, to avoid intra arterial angiography.