Role of magnetic resonance venography in evaluation of cerebral veins and sinuses occlusion

Introduction: Cerebral venous occlusion (CVO) means intraluminal obstruction by cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) or external compression. The differential diagnosis is broad including stroke, brain capillary telangiectasia, contusion, hypertensive hemorrhage, metastases and venous vascular malformations. MRI in conjunction with MRV is considered the modality of choice in diagnosis of CVO. Objective: To assess the role of magnetic resonance venography in the evaluation of cerebral veins and sinuses occlusion. Methods: The study was conducted on 15 patients with cerebral venous occlusion and subjected to MRI and MRV. Results: The study included 13 patients with cerebral venous occlusion due to thrombosis and two patients with occlusion by tumors (meningioma). Conclusion: MRI in conjunction with MRV is considered an accurate, safe, non-invasive, nonionizing diagnostic modality in assessing CVO. It can assess parenchymal lesions and detect intraluminal small thrombi and its extension.