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Neuroimaging
Original research
Prevalence of dural venous sinus stenosis and hypoplasia in a generalized population
  1. Christopher R Durst1,
  2. David A Ornan1,
  3. Michael A Reardon1,
  4. Prachi Mehndiratta2,
  5. Sugoto Mukherjee1,
  6. Robert M Starke3,
  7. Max Wintermark4,
  8. Avery Evans1,
  9. Mary E Jensen1,
  10. R Webster Crowley2,
  11. John Gaughen1,
  12. Kenneth C Liu2
  1. 1Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
  2. 2Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
  3. 3Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
  4. 4Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Section, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Christopher R Durst, Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health Systems, PO Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; cdurst{at}virginia.edu

Abstract

Background and purpose While recent literature has described the prevalence of transverse sinus stenosis in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, tinnitus, and refractory headaches, it is unclear what the prevalence is in the general population. This study evaluates the prevalence of venous sinus stenosis and hypoplasia in the general patient population.

Materials and methods 355 of 600 consecutive patients who underwent CT angiography of the head met the inclusion criteria. The diameters of the dural venous sinuses were recorded. Each study was evaluated by a neuroradiologist for the presence of stenoses. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed by a statistician.

Results The prevalence of unilateral transverse sinus stenosis or hypoplasia in a sample of patients representing the general population was 33%, the prevalence of bilateral transverse sinus stenosis was 5%, and the prevalence of unilateral stenosis with contralateral hypoplasia was 1%. A multivariate analysis identified arachnoid granulations as a predictor of stenosis (p<0.001). Gender trended toward significance (p=0.094). Race was not a significant predictor of stenosis (p=0.745).

Conclusions The prevalence of bilateral transverse sinus stenosis in the general population is not trivial. These data may be used as a reference for understanding the mechanistic role of stenoses in idiopathic intracranial hypertension, tinnitus, and refractory headaches.

  • Blood Flow
  • CT Angiography
  • Intracranial Pressure
  • Stenosis
  • Vein

https://doi.org/10.1136/neurintsurg-2015-012147

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work: CRD, RMS, MW, AE, MEJ, RWC, JG and KCL. Acquisition of data: CRD, DAO, MAR, PM and SM. Analysis/interpretation of data: CRD and RMS. Drafting the manuscript: CRD and RMS. Revising the manuscript: All authors. Final approval: All authors. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved: All authors.

    • Competing interests JG is a consultant for Covidien, Microvention, and Stryker. MEJ receives payment for lectures from Stryker and Covidien. AE is a consultant for Stryker and Covidien. He received a research grant from Stryker. He receives royalties from Cook and CareFusion.

    • Ethics approval This study was approved by the University of Virginia Institutional Review Board with a waiver for informed consent. Patient information was handled in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.