Intracranial venous anatomy and variation on cerebral Magnetic Resonance Venography in normal population

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 General Practitioner, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: The MR venography is used to examine the intracranial venous system. However, little information is available about the age and sex-related variation in intracranial veins and (venous system) sinuses. We evaluated the normal intracranial venous anatomy in different age and sex groups by MRV. Methods: 742 patients with normal brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were studied by MRV. Patients categorized into the three groups (Age < 15, 15-55, Age > 55). All the patients who have a history of brain tumor, vasculitis and anticoagulant therapy were excluded from the study. Findings: The transverse sinus distribution was %51.9 bilaterally, %12.2 only on the left side and %35.8 only on the right side. Only in one patient this sinus was not visible (0.1%).The occipital sinus was seen in 69/1% (224 patients) and the sigmoid sinus was visualized in 67.7% (490 patients). The Galen's vein was visualized in 72.8% and Rosenthal's vein was visualized in 66.6%. The superior sagittal sinus was visualized in all patients. There was a statistically significant difference in intracranial venous anatomy between three age groups but not in different sex groups. Conclusion: The MRV is a valuable non-invasive imaging modality in the assessment of intracranial venous anatomy and its age related variation. Key words: Magnetic Resonance Venography, Variation, vein, intracranial Sinus.  

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 November 2010
  • Revise Date:
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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