The evaluation of pediatric dural sinuses by means of 3D-MR venography using the presaturation technique

By means of magnetic resonance venography (MRV) using a three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography and the presaturation technique, we tried to produce images of pediatric dural sinuses (the superior sagittal sinus, the torcular herophili, the transverse sinus, and the straight sinus) in order to study the usefulness of this method, using 26 infants ranging in age from 11 days to 15 years. A 1.5-T superconducting magnet (Magnetom H15; Siemens) was employed, and venograms were made according to the gradient echo (FLASH)-rephase method with the presaturation pulse technique at TR (50-60 ms), TE (7 ms), and the flip angle (15deg-35deg), in coronal sections so chosen as to have the opisthocranion in the region of concern. The maximum intensity projection (MIP) was employed in obtaining the image. The venograms were evaluated after classifying them into 4 grades based on their clinical usefulness and the reliability of the reading image: Group 1 for poor, Group 2 for fair, Group 3 for good, and Group 4 for excellent. Favorable images - that is, images of Groups 3 and 4 - were obtained from 13 cases out of 26 (50%), including 10 cases venographed after the administration of Gd-DTPA. A variation or abnormality of venous sinuses was noted in 7 cases, 6 of which had a congenital anomaly. It was considered that MRV is useful in evaluating the variation and abnormality of pediatric dural sinuses. (author)