Transcranial color-coded duplex sonography of intracranial veins and sinuses in adults - Reference data from 130 volunteers

Background and Purpose-Transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) of intracranial veins and sinuses in adults is a new, emerging application of ultrasonographic imaging. This study reports a standardized examination pr otocol for venous TCCS and provides reference data for clinical application . Methods-In 130 healthy volunteers (mean age, 45.9+/-16.9 years; range, 14 t o 77 years) the intracranial venous system was examined using frequency-bas ed transtemporal TCCS. Identification rate, blood flow velocity, resistance index, and systolic/diastolic ratio were recorded for each examined venous vessel. Results-Intracranial veins and sinuses show a low pulsatile forward flow wi th maximal systolic blood flow velocity up to 20 cm/s. Significant side dif ferences of blood now velocity in the paired venous structures could not be detected. Venous flow velocities decreased with age, whereas resistance in dices and systolic/diastolic ratios increased. Women showed higher flow vel ocities than men. Mean identification rates for all age groups ranged from 70% to 90% for the deep middle cerebral vein, the basal cerebral vein, and the great cerebral vein of Galen. The straight sinus, the transverse sinus, and the rostral part of the superior sagittal sinus could be detected in 5 5% to 70% of cases. Detection rates were dependent on age and decreased as age increased. Conclusions-Venous TCCS can reliably image a significant part of the cerebr al venous system. This method can provide information on venous hemodynamic s in normal subjects and pathological cases.