MRI findings in a child with sigmoid sinus thrombosis following mastoiditis

• Published in: Pediatric radiology Vol. 33; no. 12; pp. 877 - 879
• Main Authors: VAN DEN BOSCH, Maurice A. A. J, VOS, Jan A, DE LETTER, Marie A. C. J, DE RU, Jacob A, VAN DIEMEN-STEENVOORDE, Ronnie A. A. M, PLÖTZ, Frans B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-12-2003; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Mastoiditis - complications; Mastoiditis - diagnosis; Medical sciences; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial - diagnosis; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial - etiology; Human; Vascular disease; Middle ear disease; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Skull disease; Cardiovascular disease; Medical imagery; ENT disease; Child; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Mastoiditis; Thrombosis
• ISSN: 0301-0449; 1432-1998
• DOI: 10.1007/s00247-003-1056-9

We describe the MRI features of sigmoid sinus thrombosis following mastoiditis in a 3-year-old girl. The features consisted of increased signal from the sinus on T2-weighted images and absence of flow on MR venography. It is concluded that MRI enabled a timely diagnosis of this life-threatening disease. MRI, as a non-invasive technique that does not use ionizing radiation, should be considered the investigation of first choice, especially in young patients.