Cerebral XXXX , a Nonenhanced CT Diagnosis?

@entity715 @entity50
Purpose. Retrospectively evaluate the density of cerebral venous sinuses in nonenhanced head CTs (NCTs) and correlate these with the presence or absence of a cerebral @entity50 (CVST). Materials and Methods. Institutional review board approval was obtained and informed consent waived prior to commencing this retrospective study. Over a two-year period, all CT venograms (CTVs) performed at our institution were retrieved and the preceding/subsequent NCTs evaluated. Hounsfield Units (HUs) of @entity715 when present as well as that of normal superior sagittal and sigmoid sinuses were measured. HU of @entity715 was compared to that of normal vessels with and without standardisation to the average HU of the internal carotid arteries. Results. 299 CTVs were retrieved, 26 with a @entity715 . Both raw and standardised HU measurements were significantly higher in CVST (p < 0.0001) compared to normal vessels. Both raw and standardised HUs are good predictors of CVST. A HU of >= 67 and a standardised measurement of >= 1.5 are associated with high probability of CVST on NCT. Conclusion. Cerebral venous sinus HU measurements may help improve sensitivity and specificity of NCT for @entity50 and avoid potentially unnecessary follow-up examinations.
