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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

A and B, Coronal 2D PC MR venograms obtained during regular breathing (A) and breath holding (B). The right sigmoid sinus is clearly depicted on the regular-breathing image. Signal intensity decreases with breath holding. The left transverse and sigmoid sinuses are not seen on the regular-breathing image. However, the signal intensities of these veins (arrows) are depicted on the breath-holding image.

C, Velocity image of the peripheral pulse–triggered 2D PC sequence shows the signal intensities of the sigmoid sinuses. The signal intensity of the right sigmoid sinus decreases during breath holding. However, increased signal intensity is observed in the left sigmoid sinus with breath holding, compared with regular breathing. These flow changes of the sinuses are consistent with the results on the MR venograms. indicates the right sigmoid sinus (regular breathing); •, the right sigmoid sinus (breath holding); , the left sigmoid sinus (regular breathing); , the left sigmoid sinus (breath holding).

A and B, Coronal 2D PC MR venogram with regular breathing (A) and breathholding (B). Right transverse and sigmoid sinuses are seen on both regular-breathing and breath-holding images. The left sigmoid sinus is not visualized on regular-breathing image, but is seen on the breath-holding image (arrow).

C, Velocity image shows signal intensities of sigmoid sinuses. The signal intensity of the right sigmoid sinus decreases slightly during breath holding. The signal intensity of the left sigmoid sinus with regular breathing is below zero, which indicates retrograde flow. With breath holding, the retrograde flow is normalized, but the signal intensities are small, indicating slow flow. indicates the right sigmoid sinus (regular breathing); •, the right sigmoid sinus (breath holding); , the left sigmoid sinus (regular breathing); , the left sigmoid sinus (breath holding).

D, Three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiogram. The left internal jugular and sigmoid sinuses are seen on the maximum intensity projection image (arrow). Visualization of these veins can be explained by the in-flow effect of retrograde flow.

A, The left brachiocephalic vein (Bv) is compressed between the aortic arch (Ao) and the sternum (St) during regular breathing (arrowheads).

B, The compression is relieved by full inspiration (arrowheads), because the distance between the aorta and sternum increases due to the elevation of anterior chest wall (arrows). E indicates esophagus; Sv, superior vena cava; T, trachea; V, vertebra

A, Axial fast fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery image (9000/110/2300/1 [TR/TE/TI/excitation]) shows high signal intensity in the left transverse sinus (arrowhead). Venous thrombosis is suspected.

B and C, Coronal 2D PC MR venograms. Although the left transverse and sigmoid sinuses are not visible on the regular-breathing image (B), these veins are clearly depicted on the breath-holding image (arrows in C). Venous occlusion is ruled out by MR venography with breath holding.

A, Axial fast spin-echo T2-weighted image (4500/106/2 [TR/TE/excitations]) shows inhomogeneous high and low signal intensity in the right transverse sinus (arrowheads).

B and C, Coronal 2D PC MR venograms show partial defect in the right transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus on the regular-breathing image (B). The right internal jugular vein is not seen. These defects do not change on the breath-holding image (C).

D, Anteroposterior venous phase image of right carotid angiography shows filling defect in the right transverse and sigmoid sinuses.