ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Retrograde flow in the left dural sinuses is sometimes detected by three-dimensional time-of-flight (3D-TOF) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of this phenomenon and its characteristic features on 3D-TOF MR angiograms. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed cranial MR angiography images of 1,078 patients examined at our institution. All images were obtained by the 3D-TOF technique with one of two 1.5-T scanners. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) images in the horizontal rotation view were displayed stereoscopically. We reviewed the source images, inferosuperior MIP images, and horizontal MIP images and identified retrograde flow in the dural sinuses. RESULTS: We found retrograde flow in the dural sinuses of 67 patients on the source images from 3D-TOF MR angiography; the incidence was 6.2%. In 47 of the 67 patients, retrograde flow was identified in the left inferior petrosal sinus, in 13, it was seen in the left sigmoid sinus, and in 6, it was seen in the left inferior petrosal and left sigmoid sinuses. The remaining patient had retrograde flow in the left inferior petrosal and left and right sigmoid sinuses. The mean age of the patients with retrograde flow was slightly greater than that of the patients without this phenomenon (70 years vs 63 years). CONCLUSION: Retrograde flow in the dural sinuses frequently occurs on the left side in middle-aged and elderly patients during 3D-TOF MR angiography performed with the patient in the supine position. This phenomenon should not be misdiagnosed as a dural arteriovenous fistula.
Subject(s)
Brachiocephalic Veins/physiopathology , Cranial Sinuses/physiopathology , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Chi-Square Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma presumably arising from the left Stensen's duct. The tumor was discovered during management of recurrent left parotitis. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were useful for estimating the tumor and coexisting obstructive parotitis. Relapsing symptoms and the presence of parotitis seemed to be characteristic of tumors of Stensen's duct. For a mass accompanied by obstructive parotitis or relapsing parotitis without salivary calculus, a tumor of Stensen's duct should be included in the differential diagnosis.
