Cerebral MR venography

This paper illustrates the technique and clinical use of cerebral MR venography (MRV). Dural sinus thrombosis is detected by both two-dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) and three-dimensional phase-contrast (PC) techniques. Venous angiomas are demonstrated by the three-dimensional PC method. The arterial feeders, nidus and draining veins of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) can be visualized on contrast-enhanced TOF three-dimensional MR angiogram. The high-flow draining veins of cerebral and dural AVMs, vein of Galen malformation and carotid cavernous fistula are better seen on contrast-enhanced three-dimensional gradient–echo MRV.