Anatomical Variations of Cerebral MR Venography: Is Gender Matter?

Abstract

PurposeKnowledge of variations in the cerebral dural venous sinus anatomy seen on magnetic resonance (MR) venography is essential to avoid over-diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). Very limited data is available on gender difference of the cerebral dural venous sinus anatomy variations.Materials and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted to study the normal anatomy of the intracranial venous system and its normal variation, as depicted by 3D MR venography, in normal adults and any gender-related differences.ResultsA total of 1654 patients (582 men, 1072 women, age range 19 to 86 years, mean age: 37.98±13.83 years) were included in the study. Most common indication for MR venography was headache (75.4%). Hypoplastic left transverse sinus was the most common anatomical variation in 352 (21.3%) patients. Left transverse sinus was hypoplastic in more commonly in male in comparison to female (24.9% versus 19.3%, p = 0.009). Most common variation of superior sagittal sinus (SSS) was atresia of anterior one third SSS (15, 0.9%). Except hypoplastic left transverse sinus, rest of anatomical variations of the transverse and other sinuses were not significantly differ among both genders.ConclusionHypoplastic left transverse sinus is the most common anatomical variation and more common in male compared to female in the present study. Other anatomical variations of dural venous sinuses are not significantly differ among both genders.

Contrast-Enhanced Cerebral MR Venography Overcomes Causes of Drop of Signal in Time of Flight MR Venography

“…This was demonstrated in our study as 33.3% of cases showed hypoplastic transverse sinuses on contrastenhanced MRV, either unilateral or bilateral. This is also in agreement with Goyal et al, 2016 who stated that transverse sinus hypoplasia is the most common anatomical variant of cerebral dural venous sinus anatomy [16] .…”

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

“…The classic anatomy varies considerably among individuals and the knowledge of such variations is essential for a correct interpretation of radiological images. The most frequent anatomic variants are: asymmetries of transverse sinuses, observed in nearly 50% of patients; hypo‐/aplasia of all or part of the transverse sinuses, observed in nearly 20% of patients; and less frequently hypo‐/aplasia of the frontal part of the superior sagittal sinus .…”

Variations of the Transverse Sinus: Review with an Unusual Case Report

“…Goyal et al [ 14 ] performed a retrospective study on adults to see the anatomical variations in the dural venous sinuses using MR venography. They noticed the transverse sinus to be symmetrical in 66.9% of their patients.…”