Background: We investigated the value of 3D T1-weighted SPACE (Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrast using different angle Evolutions, a 3D fast spin echo black blood sequence) in the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).
Methods: We prospectively included 31 consecutive patients who were suspected as having a CVT within one month of disease onset. The reference standard of CVT diagnosis was based on all of the conventional imaging tests (including susceptibility weighted imaging), clinical information, and prognosis information.
Results: The final diagnosis of the CVT was made for 14 patients including 60 venous segments. The median time between disease onset and the examination with magnetic resonance was 12.5days with a range of 8 to 27days. The diagnosis results of susceptibility weighted imaging plus magnetic resonance venography (MRV) were consistent with the final diagnosis. The sensibility/specificity for T1 SPACE were 100%/100% per patient and 96.7%/100% per segment. The area under the curve based on patient for T1 SPACE was higher than that of standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (1.0 vs. 0.80, P=0.02) and standard MRI plus MRV (1.0 vs. 0.91, P=0.14). The area under the curve based on segment for T1 SPACE was significant higher than that of standard MRI (0.98 vs. 0.81, P<0.001) and standard MRI plus MRV (0.98 vs. 0.87, P<0.001).
Conclusions: 3D T1 SPACE offered excellent visualization of the thrombus as evident high signal intensity with an acceptable acquisition time. The use of 3D T1 SPACE may improve the accuracy of subacute CVT diagnosis.
Keywords: Diagnosis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Sinus thrombosis, intracranial; Stroke; Venous thrombosis.
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